LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for January 1, 2026
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
January 1, 2026
Learn a new skill
Volunteer
Exercise more
Save money
Not break it by Feb. this year
Clue Meanings Explained
Learn a new skill
This refers to the act of expanding one's knowledge or capabilities, often seen as a form of personal development or a way to stay competitive in the job market.
Volunteer
This represents the act of giving one's time and labor freely for community service or a good cause, usually driven by a desire to give back or find more purpose in life.
Exercise more
This is a direct reference to increasing physical activity levels, aiming for better health, weight loss, or improved fitness through consistent movement.
Save money
This refers to financial discipline, specifically the goal of spending less and putting more funds aside for future use, emergencies, or large purchases.
Not break it by Feb. this year
This is a humorous and very specific reference to the high failure rate of annual promises, noting that most people abandon their goals within the first month of the year.
Hello there! If you’ve been playing the LinkedIn Pinpoint game lately, you know it’s all about connecting the dots between seemingly random ideas to find that one unifying theme. Today’s puzzle was a classic example of how the game leads you down a path of general concepts before hitting you with a specific "aha!" moment. As an analyst who lives and breathes these word associations, I found today's set particularly interesting because it taps into a very specific human behavior. Let’s dive deep into the clues and see how the logic unfolds.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When the first clue, "Learn a new skill," popped up, my mind immediately went to professional development or perhaps "Hobbies." It’s a very broad starting point. I thought maybe the category was "Education" or "Career Growth." It’s the kind of clue that could go in a dozen different directions, so I didn't want to commit too early.
Then came "Volunteer." Now, the "Education" theory was looking a bit shaky. I started thinking about "Self-Improvement" or "Altruism." At this point, I actually considered guessing "Life Goals" or "Bucket List items." Both clues are things people want to do to better themselves or the world, but they aren't quite specific enough to a single category yet.
The third clue, "Exercise more," was the turning point. This is the "big three" of self-improvement: skills, giving back, and health. I almost guessed "Habits" or "Self-Improvement," but those felt a little too generic for Pinpoint. I held off to see the fourth clue.
When "Save money" appeared, the pattern became undeniable. These are the four most common things people promise to do at the start of every year. The category "New Year's Resolutions" was screaming at me. However, Pinpoint likes to be precise, so I waited for that final confirmation.
The fifth clue, "Not break it by Feb. this year," was the absolute clincher. It moved the puzzle from general "goals" to the very specific cultural phenomenon of resolutions. The mention of February is a classic joke about how quickly these promises fall apart. Once that clue landed, there was no doubt left—the answer had to be New Year's resolutions.
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
Watch for "The Set": Many Pinpoint puzzles rely on a set of common items. When you see three or more things that usually appear together in a list (like saving money, exercising, and learning skills), start looking for the name of that specific list.
Wait for the "Constraint" Clue: Often, the first four clues are very broad, while the fifth clue provides a "constraint" (like a specific time of year or a specific rule). In this case, "February" was the constraint that narrowed "Goals" down to "New Year's Resolutions."
Think About Seasonality: Pinpoint puzzles often reflect the time of year or common cultural cycles. Even if it’s not January right now, the game frequently uses these universal cultural touchstones to build its categories.
Identify the Tone: The final clue had a slightly humorous, self-deprecating tone. Recognizing when a clue is a "joke" or a "common saying" can help you identify the category much faster than just looking at the literal definitions of the words.
Expert Q&A
Why were the first four clues so generic compared to the last one?
This is a common design tactic in Pinpoint. The game starts with broad associations to get your brain moving in a general direction, then provides a "key" clue at the end to lock in the specific answer and prevent you from guessing too early.
Could "Personal Goals" have been a valid answer for this puzzle?
While "Personal Goals" fits the first four clues, it doesn't quite capture the specific humor or timing of the fifth clue. Pinpoint usually looks for the most specific unifying theme, and "New Year's Resolutions" is a much tighter fit for the "February" reference.
Is there a specific strategy for clues that look like a list of activities?
Yes. When you see a list of activities like "Exercise" and "Save money," ask yourself: "When or why do people usually say these things together?" This often leads you to the category, whether it's "Resolutions," "Hobbies," or "Daily Routines."
How does the "February" clue help if someone plays this puzzle later in the year?
The clue relies on "cultural knowledge" rather than the current date. Even in July, the idea that people quit their New Year's resolutions by February remains a well-known cultural trope, making it a reliable clue regardless of when you play.
What is the best way to avoid "wasting" guesses on the first two clues?
The best strategy is to look for a common denominator. If you can't find a word that fits both "Learn a skill" and "Volunteer" perfectly, it's better to wait for the third clue than to guess something too broad like "Things to do."