Episode One: Fall is a Fresh Start Opportunity. Take it.
September 2, 2025
Here in Montclair, the temperature dropped by about twenty degrees in a day, a reminder that fall is around the corner. This got me thinking about the "Fresh Start Effect". About ten years ago, research emerged that, contrary to the popular narrative that New Year's resolutions are usually a setup for failure, the skillful use of "milestone" moments can catalyze behavior change and goal attainment.
What is the "Fresh Start Effect" & Why it Works
The Fresh Start Effect is a name for the human response to a new beginning. Think birthdays, new years, the start of a season, even Monday mornings.
Research from Wharton found that time related landmarks like these motivate hope and behavior change. Why? People tend to use these "mental accounting periods" to separate their past mistakes and regrets from their future possible self. They see beyond the day to day grind and open to new possibilities.
You can leverage this, too! Here's a three-step process to apply to yourself.
Three Steps to your Fresh Start
Step one:
Choose your moment
If you've got a project you just haven't managed to tackle, start with your calendar. Seasonal changes create a shift in routine, as do moves, job changes, kids going back to school, and even losses. Any moment that brings a mental, physical or habit disruption is a contender. Choose your moment.
Step two:
Focus on the big picture.
The Wharton researchers found that temporal landmarks like your chosen moment lead to bigger picture thinking. This means we step out of day to day details and make decisions more oriented toward goal achievement. Consider the year as a whole. What did you plan to accomplish in terms of work, family, fitness or creative projects? Take stock. There's still more than a quarter of the year left. What do you still want to accomplish?
Step three:
Give yourself a clean slate
Research shows that the boundaries our brains construct around time periods means we can mentally release ourself from our past "eras". If you set a goal that you didn't accomplish—permission to be human. You dealt with the context at the time. Which is shifting. A reset is possible. Let yourself enter this new era.
Step four:
But wait, there's more!
There's more to creating sustained change, but you're on your way. Acknowledge progress, notice strengths you can draw on, name resources available to you now. Take some of those small, "kaizen" steps, set up some accountability, and build in some self-compassion techniques. Let me know how it goes!
And of course, reach out if you want to explore how to leverage the fresh start effect to create positive change in partnership with me. Book a free 30-minute exploratory call here.
In Other News...
You may have noticed this looks different than previous emails. I've been working on my own projects, including tech and professional development. In July, I completed a learning journey to earn ICF's professional coaching certification (PCC). It's a complement to my other certifications in wellness and positive psychology coaching. Coaching is lifelong learning and I'm committed to staying at the forefront of this exciting, life-changing work.
Curious about what coaching could do for you? Book a free exploratory call on a Thursday, or email me to find another time that works.
With best & warmest regards,
Jennifer 🌱