Want to change your ways? Today (03/01) might be just the day to start. Why? Because of the "Fresh Start Effect."

There's more detail below, but the TL;DR is that there's a better chance of ongoing success in change when we kick off our efforts (or re-up our commitment) on a day or date that feels like a new beginning.

For me, I have a couple expense categories I'd like to see reduced. I started out okay in October but then things kinda went sideways. So today feels like a good day (esp since it's the start of a new budget month) to re-commit to reducing spend in those areas. What about you? How are you taking advantage of the "Fresh Start Effect" today?
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Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's 2014 study found that “fresh starts” — taking on a new habit or ditching an old one — were more successful when they occurred on holidays, birthdays, first days of a new job or school term, or even the most boring of “special” days, like the first of the month. These “temporal landmarks” nudged people to reflect on their lives and seriously consider making changes.

Me: “I feel like just because I hate it isn’t a good enough reason to quit.”

Smart Friend: “I think that’s the best reason to quit.”

This conversation was a turning point for me. Even though I’ve been a big proponent (and practitioner) of dropping that which no longer serves you, I still needed the perspective of a smart friend and colleague. And she was right. Dropping out of my MBA program at the halfway mark was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And, frankly, it’s something I’m still proud of.

Today I’m listening to Quit, by Annie Duke, and I find myself wanting all the smart, powerful, ambitious, amazing people I know to do the same. People who too often stick with something long after it’s stopped serving them because they’ve been raised to believe that you finish what you start. Or that they don’t want to be quitters. My friends, these mindsets will rob you of your time, excitement, connection, money and energy.

I'm still in the middle of listening to this book, but already it puts words to something I feel in my bones: that there's no valor in completing something just because you started it. 

Every day you get to make a choice about whether to continue any part of your life as-is or to switch paths. Ask yourself why you’re sticking with something. Is it because you want to? Or because:

• it's easier than changing

• “quitting is bad”

• you’ve already sunk so much time/money/effort into it

Then consider:

• what opportunities you might be missing out on by staying the course

• whether current dissatisfaction is just friction you need to get through to achieve your goals or a symptom of something bigger

• how likely you are to be happy a year from now if you stick with it vs. how likely you are to be happy a year from now if you make a change

While these questions and considerations sound like they apply to big decisions (and certainly they do), they don’t have to. Maybe start by applying them to the route you take to work or the grocery store. Or the dog park you always go to, compared to the others in the area. Use small decisions as practice and work your way up. 

And while you’re at it, post the following somewhere you’ll see it every day:

“There’s no valor in sticking with something just because you’ve been doing it for a while.”

At some point it may be the nudge you need to rethink something bigger and see what your life might become.

Want a taste of what this book has to offer? Listen to Annie Duke on the People I Mostly Admire & A Slight Change of Plans podcasts.

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