People are much more likely to tackle their goals after “temporal landmarks” such as:
- A new year, month, or week.
- A school semester.
- A holiday.
Economist Katy Milkman calls this “the fresh start effect.”
Temporal landmarks help us let go of the past and focus on the future.
So, when you’re creating a plan to accomplish a new goal, choose your start date carefully.
By beginning at a temporal landmark, you’ll boost your initial motivation and increase your chances of success.