New year, new you. Right? Well kind of... a lot of us feel just about the same as we did last week. We should feel this urge to be a better version of ourselves but sometimes it just doesn't kick in. New starts should create “mental resets” that help us separate from past behavior and feel more capable of becoming the version of ourselves we want to be. But the truth is, sometimes flipping the calendar isn’t enough. You need to create the conditions that allow change to take root. One of the simplest (and most overlooked) is cleaning up.

Tip of the Week: Want a real fresh start? Start by clearing the clutter - physical, digital, and mental.

Side Note: It’s hard to feel the Fresh Start Effect when your inbox is overflowing and you’re buried in unread notifications. If your digital clutter is making it impossible to focus, it’s time for a reset.

That’s why I created the Effective Workload Management Systems course - a proven framework to help you take back control of your time, your inbox, and your priorities. It’s been tested and refined with input from over 70,000 Amazonians, and it’s helped thousands finally get to inbox zero (and stay there). If you’re serious about starting fresh this year, go implement it… and make space for what actually matters.

The Theory Behind

The Fresh Start Effect primes us for change by separating the past from the future. Research shows we’re more likely to initiate new habits or pursue goals right after a time landmark, like a new year, a birthday, or a Monday. These moments create a psychological “reset,” helping us feel less tied to past inconsistencies and more open to starting again. But this effect is short-lived unless we reinforce it with visible action.

Environmental change has a lasting impact on behavior. One of the most powerful habit-change opportunities comes when people move to a new home or start a new job. Why? Because it disrupts the automatic routines that keep us stuck. In the absence of major life change, intentionally changing your environment (especially your personal space) can serve a similar purpose. Cleaning up those spaces where you spend more of your time can be a small way to interrupt the status quo and reassert control.

Clutter competes for attention and blocks focus. Studies from Princeton and the American Psychological Association show that visual clutter creates cognitive overload. It increases stress and makes it harder to process information (sadly, it is statistically more impactful in women). By clearing your space, you reduce background noise, mentally and emotionally. A clean, minimal environment becomes a signal to your brain that you're ready to focus, work, or grow.

What I’ve Learned

One of the most effective resets I’ve adopted is something called the "closing shift". This is a short end-of-day routine borrowed from retail and hospitality. Before I shut down for the night, I reset my desk, close open tabs, clear out anything lingering on my to-do list, set the clothes I am wearing the next day, and pick up from dirty clothes or toys lying on the floor on my way to bed. It takes 10 minutes, but the impact is huge. I start the next day with a clean workspace, a quiet mind, and a feeling that I’m in control. This signals my brain that the day is done and we are already set to start the new one. That’s what makes a fresh start feel really...fresh.

Make It Happen

1. Unsubscribe from promo emails. Take 10 minutes to unsubscribe from newsletters, sales ads, or anything you’ve been ignoring anyway. (Hopefully not this one!)

2. Archive or delete emails. Start archiving unread emails older than 30 days. If they mattered, you’d have opened them by now.

3. Clear your desktop (virtually). Move files into folders, delete duplicates, and give yourself a clean digital workspace.

4. Clean your physical desk. Process loose papers, file what matters, and remove anything that doesn’t help you focus.

5. Clean your closet. Remove clothes you haven’t worn in the last 6 months. Donate them or store them out of sight.

6. Declutter one room. Choose a spot (your kitchen counter, entryway, or bedroom) and reset it completely.

7. Set a Weekly Reset Ritual. Pick one day each week to tidy up your workspace, inbox, and task list (even 15 minutes makes a difference).

How do you like resetting to feel this "fresh start effect"? Comment below or reply to this email to let me know.

Resetting,

Jorge Luis Pando

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PS: Wow, you made it all the way down here? You must really care about your personal development! Here are 3 ways I can help you grow even faster:

1. Get My Most Popular Course: Learn the exact system I’ve taught to 70,000+ professionals to take control of emails, meetings, and DMs, and reclaim 150+ hours in your year.

2. Join The Effective Collective: Our private membership is opening soon as invite-only. Get access to two best-seller courses, weekly coaching, and support to level up your performance without burning out.

3. Book Me for Coaching or a Workshop: Need help scaling yourself or your team? I offer 1:1 coaching and custom team sessions to help you work better, not harder.

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