Fresh Starts: A Key to Getting Motivated to Pursue Goals

“My last 2 months were rough! I’ve been sick, and I still don't feel well. I was looking forward to planning goals for the new year, but I’ve lost my motivation. I need help to move forward – for myself, my team, and my family.”

I could hear the sadness and frustration in my coaching client's voice. He needed to name the disappointment before we could focus on helping him move forward.

Once he was ready, we found a fresh start. With the Chinese New Year approaching, he chose that moment to re-energize his team with a team-building event. He walked away from our coaching call motivated and ready to set new goals. 

Maybe you've felt this way too - like the New Year has already taken off, and you've lost that fresh start advantage. 

We’ve been conditioned to see the New Year as the moment for big change. There's something energizing about a fresh twelve months. It's a chance to imagine what's possible and plan what to accomplish. 

But, what if you could create that fresh start feeling at other moments throughout the year? What might that make possible for you and for those you lead? 

Katy Milkman, author of How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, notes that “timing can be everything when it comes to making a change.” Her research finds that fresh start moments - such as new months, weeks, seasons, or milestones - spark motivation and commitment.

Knowing this is encouraging, especially for busy leaders and teams who often get sidetracked. Fresh start moments offer a way to reset energy and focus - not just in January, but throughout the year.   

Your Leadership Challenge:

As a leader, you can intentionally create fresh start moments for yourself and your team. These moments bring renewed energy and give the same motivational jolt people feel at the start of a new year. 

Start by asking yourself:

1. What milestone dates can your team use to realign around what matters most?
2. When progress stalls, how might you create a fresh start to regain momentum?
3. What will you do to inspire motivation beyond the January reset - and what might that make possible? 

If you'd like to explore practical ways to create fresh starts throughout the year, you may also enjoy my article Self-Accountability for Thriving Leaders Who Want to Stay on Track and Achieve Goals.