Fresh Start Effect: the psychology of a flying restart

In three previous blogs, we shared very concrete tips on making the most of the Fresh Start Effect. But what exactly was that again? And what can you still do with it now that the summer vacations seem to be miles behind us? In this blog we dive into the world of the Fresh Start Effect and you will discover why it is also very relevant the rest of the year.

Do you always have this feeling after summer vacation? Like you can tackle everything fresh again. Plenty of ideas, new energy and maybe even new running shoes that will actually be used now. I’m familiar with that. And luckily: it’s not a coincidence. It is, in fact, psychology.

What is the Fresh Start Effect?

Behavioral scientists Katherine Milkman, Hengchen Dai and Jason Riis discovered something we all recognize in 2014: some moments feel like a mental reset. I often have it at the start of a new year, a birthday or that first Monday after my vacation. Such “temporary milestones” motivate me to leave bad habits behind and pick up ambitious goals.

How that works. It creates a clear dividing line between your “old self” and your “new self. Past mistakes feel less relevant. Your self-image gets a positive update. And it feels logical to start a fresh habit.

What is at the heart of the Fresh Start Effect?

Certain moments in time create a psychological separation between “old self” and “new self.” As a result:

Does past failure seem less decisive
Get more motivation to start over
Do people become more active in pursuing their goals

Where do you see this reflected?

Katherine Milkman and her team saw it in sports data, for example: people were more likely to go to the gym after a birthday or at the start of a new year. But these “fresh starts” are also measurably effective in work and behavior.

What can you do with it as an Agile professional?

Of course, from my experience (and profession), this is a fascinating question. Use natural breaking moments, after a vacation, at a quarterly start or even a new sprint, very consciously. They are the moments to reset habits, focus new goals and leverage extra motivation. Retrospective planned? Perfect time to not only look back, but especially to set a fresh dot on the horizon.

Why does it work?

The Fresh Start Effect helps:

Distance yourself from old behavior
Redefining yourself
New routines easier to start

And the great thing is: So you can consciously use this psychological boost more often throughout the rest of the year. For example, after the Christmas vacations, at a quarterly start or after a release. What Fresh Start moments do you see for your team in the coming months?

Here’s how to make a flying restart

Three practical tips you can apply immediately:

1. Start with rhythm, not speed
Don’t go straight for sprint records. Start with a cadence of set routines, clear rhythms. Think of a musician first laying down basic chords before the solo begins. Read in-depth blog>>

2. Celebrate the start, not just the end
Create momentum by making the beginning special. Start with a short kick-off, a lunch, or a surprising work format. Like a band that uses the first song to immediately get everyone in the flow. Read in-depth blog>>

3. Choose a clear goal, not a vague intention
Vague intentions lead to vague results. Choose a concrete goal that you can literally see happening: “Every Friday at 4:30 p.m. we celebrate the biggest blunder or success factor.” Read in-depth blog>>

Bonus: every sprint can be a Fresh Start

Whether you’re returning from vacation, starting a new project or working with new team members; the moment of “restarting” presents an opportunity. Not just a ‘get back to work’, but an intentional reset moment. At Scrum Academy, we believe in the power of such a Fresh Start. And like sports or music, a good start is more than half the battle.