Happy new year in advance!

And 2026 is upon us. Big time to reflect, restrategize and recoup.

🔥 1. “The best way to improve is to focus on results”

_{credit: Adam Grant}

The best way to improve is not to focus on results.

It’s to focus on habits.

27 studies: Behavior change goals are 3x more effective than outcome goals in boosting performance. Growth depends on altering the actions we can control. A key to progress is concentrating on process.

Original study abstract —> https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1750984X.2022.2116723#abstract

If you’re looking to use this research to your advantage and 3x your chances of hitting your 2026 goals, track your habits with an accountability coach using this simple package from Coaccountable. 

🔥 2. “…everytime we repeat (an) act, we strengthen the strand”

^{_{credit: Farnam Street blog}}

Dr. Orison Swett Marden on habits:

“The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act, we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably in thought and act.”

Quick question

What’s trending?

ATS Checkers in the $17.2B recruitment niche

ATS (Applicant Tracking System) checkers are tools that help job seekers optimize their resumes so they pass automated screening software used by employers.

Numbers

Nearly all Fortune 500 companies (98.4%) use ATS tools to filter out around 85% of resumes. Tools like MyPerfectResume claim to improve job application outcomes & increase hiring chances by 30%. The ATS market alone is valued at $17.2B, while staffing and recruitment overall is a $750B industry.

Demand is strong on both sides: the U.S. has roughly 6.8m job seekers and 7.6m open roles, creating a massive need for better matching. ATS tools basically sit at the intersection of AI, job search anxiety, and a huuuuge hiring inefficiency.

How I would leverage this trend to make money in 2026

1. Turn resume anxiety into a niche subscription
First, I’d pick one audience that feels especially stuck, like new grads, laid-off tech workers, or career switchers. Then I’d build/bundle/invest in an ATS checker and optimize it for their industry”language”…

Key USPs will be role-specific scoring, and clear pass or fail feedback. Then price it monthly so people can reuse across applications/update their resume as they go. The goal is to become the tool they open before every job submission.

2. Sell interviews, not software
Instead of handing people another dashboard, I’d package everything as a done-for-you service. Basically rewrite resumes to be ATS safe, optimize LinkedIn profiles, simulate AI screenings, and match candidates to real job descriptions.

Main benefit here would be more callbacks. Then market it to people who are overwhelmed and short on time & charge a premium for removing friction from the process.

3. Flip the script and sell to employers
Once I understand how ATS filters work, I might aim upstream. Build/resell tools that show recruiters which strong candidates their ATS is quietly rejecting. I’d focus on internal hiring and mobility, helping companies surface hidden talent already on payroll. I’d sell this as a cost saver/speed booster, not as AI hype, and lock in recurring B2B contracts.

Find out why 100K+ engineers read The Code twice a week

Staying behind on tech trends can be a career killer.

But let’s face it, no one has hours to spare every week trying to stay updated.

That’s why over 100,000 engineers at companies like Google, Meta, and Apple read The Code twice a week.

Here’s why it works:

• No fluff, just signal – Learn the most important tech news delivered in just two short emails.

• Supercharge your skills – Get access to top research papers and resources that give you an edge in the industry.

• See the future first – Discover what’s next before it hits the mainstream, so you can lead, not follow.

Join 100,000+ engineers who read The Code to stay ahead of the curve.

Did this motivate you today?

That’s it for today.

Keep showing up, make today count 🏃‍♂️

The Newseum Team