If you’ve ever wondered the best time to start a new habit, it turns out there is a magical quality to beginning on certain dates.
Which ones?
According to the research, these dates are called temporal landmarks can help you get a fresh start quickly. No need to wait until January 1 of the next year. In Daniel Pink’s book When as well as his great backlog of videos called the Pinkcast, he shares 86 dates that are extra special.
Here are 86 dates that are especially effective for making a fresh start:
- The first day of the month (twelve)
- Mondays (fifty-two)
- The first day of spring, summer, fall, and winter (four)
- Your country’s Independence Day or the equivalent (one)
- The day of an important religious holiday—for example, Easter, Rosh Hashanah, Eid al-Fitr (one)
- Your birthday (one)
- A loved one’s birthday (one)
- The first day of school or the first day of a semester (two)
- The first day of a new job (one)
- The day after graduation (one)
- The first day back from vacation (two)
- The anniversary of your wedding, first date, or divorce (three)
- The anniversary of the day you started your job, the day you became a citizen, the day you adopted your dog or cat, the day you graduated from school or university (four)
- The day you watch this Pinkcast (or read this blog post) (one)
Check out Dan’s video on this if you haven’t seen it!