"There's something psychologically powerful about new beginnings that makes us believe we can stick to our goals and make progress. This isn't just wishful thinking; it's a well-documented phenomenon called the "fresh start effect." But the beauty of understanding this phenomenon is that you don't need to wait for January 1st to harness its power and set yourself up for success."
"Research by Dai, Milkman, and Riis in "The Fresh Start Effect: Temporal Landmarks Motivate Aspirational Behavior" (2014) revealed that we are significantly more successful in acting on our good intentions when we choose certain times or dates to mark a fresh start. They found that people are 33 percent more likely to exercise at the start of a week, and 47 percent more likely at the start of a new semester."
"Katherine Milkman explained that temporal landmarks create a psychological distance from our past failures: "Those failures are the old you, and this is the new you." This mental reset makes us feel more capable and drives momentum forward. We can use this knowledge with intention by strategically leveraging the fresh start effect to set ourselves up for success. Here are six ways to do it:"
Temporal landmarks such as New Year, first day at a new job, or return to school create psychological fresh starts that increase motivation and goal pursuit. Research shows that people are significantly more likely to adopt aspirational behaviors at the start of a week or semester. Temporal landmarks create psychological distance from past failures, enabling a mental reset and increased capability perception. Intentional scheduling of fresh starts and prioritizing one or two meaningful goals tied to personal purpose enhances momentum. Removing practical barriers and creating regular fresh-start opportunities helps transform initial enthusiasm into durable habits.
Read at Psychology Today
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