I believe most people automatically assume January is the best time for a fresh start.
Well, they’re categorically wrong! I’ll explain why, but some background first…
The idea for this post was inspired by something that appeared earlier this week in my social media feeds—not sure if it was LinkedIn or Facebook. Which one doesn’t really matter because we’re all going to see them pop up like dandelions from here on until January.
As we approach the latter part of the year, the hustle culture shows up like clockwork (running over the people who are trying to hurry the holidays along).
So, what was it? What’s this thing I am bantering on about? Here goes, here’s the unforgivable sin—
Someone couldn’t help themselves and had to write one of those year-end countdown posts. They had to be first to remind us there are only one hundred and twenty-some days remaining in the year. Sigh. Who cares?
C’mon, as of September 1st we still have a third of the year left!
It’s a little soon for countdowns, wouldn’t you say? There will be time for that later.
Especially because—dates on a calendar don’t really matter much unless we make them matter.
Repeat after me: The-dates-don’t-matter-unless-we-make-them-matter!
Take January 1st for example. Almost everyone goes for a fresh start when the new year rolls around. It’s what one does, right?
It’s when all the overachievers lay on the “Make This the Best Year Ever!” posts, videos, and what have you. This annual ritual is the biggest set-up for failure there is. Why? It’s simple… because-the-universe-is-guilting-you-into-it.
If it’s not your choice… not something you’ve decided for yourself—you will likely fail.
Did you know most resolutions fail within the first twenty-one days of the New Year?
It’s true. We should declare January 22nd “World Reset Day.” It would be a “do-over” day after we’ve all “failed fast and failed often” on our aspirations for the new year.
Did you know many major ad campaigns actually begin three weeks into the new year to capitalize on this phenomenon?
The key to setting your best time for a fresh start is selecting a time that works for you.
The beauty is you get to make the rules when it comes to choosing your best time for a fresh start. And that means you can start on any day of the year you choose. Revolutionary, right?
You can decide to begin any change you’ve been pondering. Or you could choose to start twenty-one days from now. But who would do that? Oh, maybe the January 1st crowd.
What happens when something new and something familiar come at the same time…
I truly believe when you get down to the brass tacks of this “best time for a fresh start” thing, the dates on the calendar don’t really matter. And most of the traditional times for fresh starts are destined to fail because they come with other people’s rules, values, and expectations.
That said, sometimes it does help to have a time of year for these rituals. And we’ve just entered one of the most natural times for a fresh start.
Autumn can be a time of rebirth and a refreshing, healthy change… of getting into a different rhythm, a different pace.
Cool, crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons. What could be better? I believe this particular change of seasons is the perfect time of year for fresh starts, rebirth, resets, and the like.
It’s simply a byproduct of the new school year combined with a distinctive season of change.
The process begins midway through our formative years. Starting with kindergarten or first grade, we begin a new school year, rich with anticipation. Just like a new school year with a familiar routine in a familiar place.
For the next twenty-plus years, we’ve all repeated the same cycle until this season of change is hardwired into our psyche. Autumn is the mark of an invigorating fresh start. We can continue to tap into it—if we let ourselves!
Just think about it for a moment. Autumn comes with no real pressure like what comes with the New Year and all its goal-setting, resolutions, and uber achievements.
Now contrast that with the fall. We’re about two-thirds of the way through the year. Everyone else has long since forgotten about all the hoopla from January. Most people gave up months ago.
But you know what’s working for you and what’s not.
You know what to dial-up and where to back off.
You can take in a deep, full breath of that invigorating crisp, fresh autumn air. While most everyone else has resigned themselves to another average year—
You’ll have a refreshing restart.
Metaphorically, or not. It’s a familiar place.
And in its own way, it arrives at just the right time and not a day too soon.
Hang on… a change is near.
Have a fresh start this Autumn.
Be untucked.
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Copyright © 2022 Jeff Meister – All Rights Reserved
Love this, Jeff. It reminds me of the quote from Anne of Green Gables, “Every day is brand new, with no mistakes in it.” What a liberating thought that we can set new goals any time of the year and if (when?) we fail, we can refresh those goals with newly gained wisdom. That is certainly an antidote for the all-or-nothing, succeed or fail mentality. As always, your nuggets of wisdom are ones to save – I know I’ll need them later! (I think you should repost this in late December!) :o)
That’s a great quote, Laurie! And thanks so much for your good words. I’m sure you can tell I’m not a fan of being hustled by the hustlers! Great idea on a December re-post!