I’ve always valued a fresh start. A new year, a new beginning, a new job, a new apartment, or even just a Monday, the beginning of a new week! And as I just learned, the fresh start effect, is real! Behavioral science finds us more motivated and excited to reach our goals when we stand at the beginning of something new. So we can use this moment to boost our motivation to reach our goals.

Behavioral science finds us more motivated and excited to reach our goals when we stand at the beginning of something new.

I’ve done New Year’s resolutions as long as I can remember, and while I don’t always hit my targets that year, they have helped me reach my goals over time. Cause let’s be honest, some things cannot be done in a year. My bachelors degree started as a New Year’s resolution! I set a goal to work towards more learning and eventually getting a degree, a new job, a pay increase and eventually I landed a dream job. This took years, but my New Year’s resolutions were building blocks in making it happen because they motivated me at a particular difficult time – that January-March stretch that is cold, dark and dull in many places of the world.

There are statistics that show an influx of people joining the gym in January and many fall off the wagon throughout the year. Last year I started in November, made a New Year’s resolution to stick with it and managed to keep going 3-4 days a week until may and summertime started and I could spend more time outside again. I quit the gym, but my New Year’s resolution kept me going for 5 months! I felt stronger and had so much more energy by the time summer started! This year I have a plan in place to make sure I don’t just quit mid year. Combine the fresh start effect with the warren buffet 5/25 rule!

Combine the fresh start effect with the Warren Buffet 5/25 rule!

Warren Buffet is a highly successful businessman, and his rule of 5/25 is well known. Write down 25 of your goals and organize them in order of importance to you. Start at the beginning and only work on top 5 goals at a time. When you reach a goal, you can move on to the next one on the list, but make sure you only work towards a few at a time. This raises efficiency and makes you more likely to reach your goals.

Now, to come up with 25 goals for 2024! I got a guitar for Christmas, so I guess one will have to be to learn how to play it! Haha

What are your resolutions?