Peter Drucker once famously advised business leaders to “follow effective action with quiet reflection.” Unfortunately, in the modern era of hyperconnectivity, quiet reflection has become something of a lost art.

In theory, the beginning of a new year is a perfect time for reflection. With the breakneck pace of business slowing down just a little, it makes it easier for us to find a moment to step off the treadmill and reflect on the big picture.

But in the marketing world, we’ve got a different tradition that gets in the way of our ability to calmly ruminate on things.

I call it Trend Deck Season — a competitive game in which every organization vying for the attention of marketers attempts to demonstrate its prowess by issuing a bundle of bold,