A Moment of Hope Is a Powerful Motivator
How to channel good news into fresh-start energy
I’ve been living with a strange feeling for a few weeks now: a sense of hope mixed with anticipation mixed with energy. It first took root the day after the presidential election was called, and it swelled again with the vaccine news that brought the end of the pandemic into view. For the first time in months, I have the energy to get shit done.
In terms of motivation, a burst of hope is like the first day of school: That blank slate feeling is the perfect push to shake up old routines. According to Sabrina Romanoff, a New York-based psychologist, hopefulness is the ideal environment for introducing new habits or taking on new projects.
“Feeling hopeful can change your perspective both about the future and how you view your environment and yourself in the moment,” Romanoff says. “You likely will be more positive, less critical of yourself and others, and assign less damaging attributions to external events and behaviors of others.”
In other words, this moment is the perfect time to think about personal transitions, too. Here’s how to make the most of that fresh-start feeling, whatever it is you want to accomplish.
