#3: The Power of a Fresh Start

Adding an extra dose of behavioral science to your week with our series In a Nutshell— a collection of behavioral science principles, explained in 150 words or less, written weekly by CUBIC director Allison Zelkowitz.

Human beings apply different rules to money, and place it in different mental accounts.

We also place time in mental accounts, such as by designating specific hours for work, family, or relaxation.

More broadly, when we consider our lives, we pay attention to temporal landmarks, significant periods like birthdays, holidays, job changes, or major world events.

Such landmarks disrupt our focus on day-to-day minutiae and help us step back and consider our goals. We can therefore use these landmarks as turning points, disconnecting from "our old selves" and starting new, positive behaviors.

In our work, we can utilize the Fresh Start Effect by launching programs on days that are meaningful for the communities we serve. We can also begin thinking about “fresh start opportunities" that arise from this pandemic, perhaps the greatest temporal landmark of our generation.