Temporal landmarks such as the start of fall create the fresh start effect, increasing motivation to pursue goals by creating psychological separation from past failures. Research demonstrates that people are significantly more likely to act after new beginnings such as a new year, a birthday, or the September back-to-school and back-to-work landmark. Seasonal resets can be used strategically to supercharge careers and businesses. Practical steps include conducting a 360-degree personal brand check by inviting three to five trusted colleagues or mentors, auditing and refreshing LinkedIn headline, about section, and featured content, and optimizing a self-introduction using a three-point framework.
It turns out that the motivational boost from temporal landmarks or new beginnings is real. It's also something you can use to strategically supercharge your career and your business. Behavioral scientist and Wharton professor Katherine Milkman calls it the fresh start effect. Milkman's research shows that people are significantly more likely to pursue goals right after moments that feel like a new beginning, such as a new year, a birthday, or the September back-to-school and back-to-work temporal landmark.
In a 2014 Management Science paper, Milkman and her colleagues demonstrated that these fresh starts create a psychological separation from past failures. This makes you more motivated to act. Milkman later popularized the idea in her book How to Change: The Science of Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, which makes the case that the start of fall can spark real change.
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