Vitros Editorial Team/1 min read
Why a new week, month, or birthday is a good time to start
Gym visits and new goal commitments rise right after fresh starts like a new week, month, or birthday.
People are more likely to take on goals right after a fresh start, such as a new week, a new month, or a birthday.
The study
Across three studies of real-world records, the researchers found that searches for "diet", gym visits, and commitments to pursue goals all rose after markers in time like the start of a week, month, year, or semester, a birthday, or a holiday. They suggest these markers help people set past slips aside in an earlier chapter and look at the bigger picture.
Starting small
Any Monday, the first of a month, or a birthday can serve as a starting line. Nothing has to wait for January.
Topics
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References
1. Dai, Milkman, Riis (2013). The Fresh Start Effect: Temporal Landmarks Motivate Aspirational Behavior. Management Science.