Future Business Leaders: Are You Ready to Embrace Your Fresh-Start Moment?
Summer 2025 is more than a chance to leave that backpack – textbooks sprawled – languishing for a few months on the floor. It’s an opportunity to change and grow.
When Angel R., a senior at Southwest Miami Senior High School in Florida, U.S., began exploring Wharton Global Youth summer programs, he thought, “I’ve always been the type of person to jump into the fire and throw myself into new experiences. What better way to gain more business experience and financial knowledge than going to another country, adapting and learning everything I could?” Ultimately, Angel attended our Strategy and International Management program in Cambridge, U.K.
“Research shows that once people are taught the truth of the malleability of almost every trait and that they are growable, they can improve their performance.” –Katy Milkman, Professor, the Wharton School
Angel embraced the possibilities on his path to business leadership by doing something entirely new. Katy Milkman, a professor of operations, information and decisions at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, says summer is a perfect time to make a fresh start.
“These are the moments in life when we perceive chapter breaks in our stories,” notes Milkman, who co-directs the Behavior Change for Good Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania and is the author of the book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. “Chapter breaks motivate us to pursue our goals, because they give us a sense of a discontinuity. We feel like we’re separated from who we were before the chapter ended — that was the old me and this is the new me. That separation gives us a sense of optimism that whatever wasn’t quite clicking for us before or that we hadn’t quite achieved, is no longer holding us back. We can do it in this new chapter. We have all sorts of data showing that in every domain, from exercise to healthy eating to educational, environmental and financial goals, upticks happen at fresh-start moments.”
Here are a few data-driven strategies that Dr. Milkman and her colleagues have studied to make the most of those moments:
- Set specific, measurable goals that stretch you slightly beyond your current abilities. Dr. Milkman points to SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
- Create detailed action plans with clear triggers and cues for when you’ll pursue your goals, because vague intentions are easy to procrastinate on. “A bad goal would be: Get healthy. A good goal would be: Exercise three times a week for 30 minutes after class, at 5 p.m. at the gym on the elliptical while watching my favorite TV show,” says Milkman.
- Build social support by finding partners or mentors who can help you stay accountable (this might even be new friends you meet in a summer business program). “The social support piece, a partner in goal pursuits, can help with your confidence,” notes Dr. Milkman. “Ideally, it’s a partner who’s a little ahead of you on the course, so you’re being pushed by them, but who also can learn from you to some degree, so that you’re not just the mentee.”
- Adopt a growth mindset and begin acknowledging setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. “We can intentionally recognize and adopt a mindset that believes missteps are not a mark of our incompetence or our abilities, but rather opportunities for growth,” notes Milkman.
- Break larger goals into smaller, manageable weekly or daily tasks.
- Choose goals that are challenging but not exhausting, maybe 10% harder than your current performance. Think of this as leveling up. “It should stretch you a little bit beyond what you’re already achieving, but not to the point of collapse,” suggests Milkman.
As you chase new opportunities, it’s essential to believe in your capacity to grow. “Ideally, people want to intentionally adopt a growth mindset when pursuing their goals,” stresses Professor Milkman. “Research shows that once people are taught the truth of the malleability of almost every trait and that they are growable, they can improve their performance in things like math at school. It’s helpful to understand that you’re not born with innate intelligence or innate anything. Almost everything is growable with work and effort, and recognizing that gives you a leg up in goal pursuit.”
How will you make the most of your fresh start this summer?
Conversation Starters
Dr. Milkman’s Behavior Change for Good Initiative uses the science of behavior change to help individuals and organizations achieve goals that are good for the world, and it speaks to her deep interest in behavioral economics. Read this past Wharton Global Youth interview. How do Dr. Milkman and her colleagues use the mega-study methodology to study business? What do you find interesting about their research?
Which of Dr. Milkman’s fresh-start strategies resonates most deeply with you and why?
We often label ourselves or believe the labels that others give us. Does this concept that all traits are growable surprise you? How does it change the way you will approach new opportunities?
How did you make the most of your chapter break this summer and how did it help shape your path toward business leadership? Share your story in the comment section of this article.
After reading this article, I have come to understand that goal targeting is not just ambition but also strategy. Using various triggers like time and place really highlighted how much success is based on these factors. I used to make vague goals such as “be more productive”. Looking back now, this was a structure I feel I was setting myself up for failure because I could always just postpone or forget about something if I did not have a defined structure. I thought the advice to focus on goals that are only marginally more difficult than things you already do was also interesting, since it shifts the ideology of making progress slowly and steadily, rather than taking shortcuts and missing the value of the work that is done. I think it also offers a unique perspective when the world we live in seems to match burnout and tiredness, with immense progress and growth. Overall, I think this framework for goal targeting is balanced, realistic, and could be motivating.
The idea that leadership a lot of times begins in times when people are uncertain really resonates with me. I just started a small business called NoteLift, where I sell my notes from the classes I took in high school each year to help other students excel in difficult subjects like precalculus and AP classes. It began as a way to support classmates during exam season, but it has quickly became something a lot more meaningful. It’s now a platform where I’m learning how to lead and adapt to the real world.
Like many student entrepreneurs, I had doubts: would anyone pay for notes? How would I organize my business? There were countless moments where I thought to myself that I could have stopped. But as the article points out, fresh starts aren’t always flashy, they’re usually when we choose to move forward and stay persistent instead of just giving up. Starting NoteLift was my fresh-start moment. It really pushed me to think outside the box and to most importantly, lead with a purpose. I also connected with Malcom Gladwell’s ideas about discomfort and how it’s fueling innovation. I have found that when I learn into what feels uncertain, no matter if it’s learning of a new subject area or responding to customer feedback, I’m growing as both a leader and a learner. I see challenge not as setbacks but more as an invitation to learn to be the best version of myself.
This article reminded me that leadership isn’t just for big companies, it begins wherever you are, even with an idea as simple as sharing notes to help others succeed. I’m really excited to continue developing this business and experiencing every fresh-start moment that comes with it!
Dr. Milkman’s point that “almost everything is growable” really stuck with me. I used to think people were either naturally good at something or not, but now I see how much growth comes from being intentional. This summer, I’m focusing on improving in areas I’ve struggled with before, like time management and consistency. I’m treating this as a reset, not just a break, and setting goals I can actually follow through on.
This article explores the concept of “fresh-start moments” that are the points in time that offer individuals the opportunity to reset and pursue new goals. Drawing from behavioral science, it highlights how these moments can lead to improved outcomes in various areas, including health, education, and finance.
Dr. Katy Milkman, a behavioral scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, emphasizes that fresh-start moments create a psychological separation from the past, fostering optimism and motivation. She suggests that individuals can capitalize on these moments by setting specific, measurable goals and creating detailed action plans to guide their efforts.
The article encourages future business leaders to recognize and seize these opportunities for personal and professional growth, leveraging the momentum of fresh-start moments to achieve their aspirations.
This article made me think differently about how I can use my summer to grow. I realized that I don’t need to do something overwhelming or extraordinary to make progress. What matters is believing that I can grow and improve with intent and effort, even if it’s just a little above what I’m doing now. I liked how Dr. Milkman explained that traits like intelligence or confidence aren’t fixed-they can grow, and that really motivates me. It makes me feel like I don’t have to be perfect right away, just willing to try and keep learning. I also found it helpful that support from others can make a big difference-it shows me I don’t have to do everything alone, and having people around me can actually help me reach my goals faster. This summer, I want to set clear and achievable goals that won’t burn me out and spend more time with people that inspire me.
Summers are one of the best time for personal development. There are no restraints during this time. However, you do have to have a great self control and discipline in order to utilize your summers perfectly! Dr. Milkman truly explained the wonders of traits-in that you can grow your traits positively! Best of luck with your goals this summer!
The article’s introduction of “fresh-start moments” as both a mindset and a strategy couldn’t be more opportune for new leaders today. I especially appreciated the distinction between emotional resets and practical pivots—how we move forward with intention, not just optimism.
I especially enjoyed the reference to temporal landmarks. In work, quarterly profits, fiscal year resets, and product cycles seem to have a way of acting as default times to review and recharge. I adore thinking about personal development in precisely the same way—where milestones aren’t just symbolic, but structural. Can we design our own performance cycles, feedback loops and reflection checkpoints included?
This idea reminded me of how I’ve approached learning technical skills. When I was studying AWS Data Engineer training, I planned my progress in OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)—just like a company would. I measured development not in terms of completion, but in terms of mastery and impact. Similarly, when I was interning with a nonprofit this summer, I treated each campaign review like I would a product postmortem: What went well? What didn’t? How can this be re-purposed or improved?
I also found the article’s link between fresh starts and leadership particularly resonant. Real leadership, as the article suggests, often shows up after a pivot—when you’ve made the decision to begin again, rebuild, and take others with you. In writing my novel, switching from linear storytelling to nonlinear formats was frustrating at first. But that “restart” gave my story depth and re-energized my process.
My takeaway: New beginnings aren’t so much about moving on from the past as they are about translating lessons learned into more focused, intentional forward motion.
What I’d like to know from others: How do you decide when you need a clean slate—and how do you balance experimentation with discipline?
Hi Hrithik — your comment really resonated with me, especially the way you wove together emotional resets and structural discipline. I think you’re absolutely right: real leadership often begins at the inflection point, not the highlight reel.
I had a similar experience when I tried to launch a social-impact hackathon — completely free, because I knew what it felt like to be excluded for not being able to pay. I didn’t raise enough sponsorship that year, and part of me saw it as a failure. But reflecting on it now, it was my own “chapter break.” I realized that outcomes don’t always define growth — sometimes the willingness to pivot and recommit does.
Your use of OKRs reminds me of something I’ve been experimenting with — what I call “mission loops.” Instead of just tracking results, I focus on the cycles of purpose that keep recurring in my work. Whether it’s equity in access or dignity in design, those loops help me recalibrate when I drift off-course.
To your question about clean slates: I think we don’t always decide when we need one — sometimes they hit us like a wall. But we can decide what we make of them. Discipline gives our experiments direction, but it’s the courage to rebuild (even when the metrics aren’t pretty) that makes the growth real.
Thanks for a comment that challenged me to rethink structure as a narrative, not just a metric.
I absolutely loved this article! As a person creating my own app, NeuroEd, while preparing for the CFA Investment Foundations, the concept of having a “fresh-start moment” resonates with me deeply. I can see how doing a fresh start—like making my app or preparing for CFA—allows me to have clear objectives and remain motivated. Katy Milkman’s SMART-goal concept is one that I already practice: I dedicate two hours each week after school to working on NeuroEd’s AI capabilities, for instance. Reading this made me reflect on how much of a difference it makes to combine that plan with a growth mindset—to celebrate small victories, think ahead to when things go off track, and have guidance from mentors and team members. It has motivated me now to take each step as its own chapter break—prepared to continue.
By reading this article, I realized that the idea that resonates most with me is choosing goals that are challenging but not overwhelming, similar to “leveling up” in a video game. I’m a big fan of gaming, and nothing motivates me more than the fun of reaching a goal. This article has helped me understand that fresh starts can happen at any time; it’s never too late to embark on something new. Whether you’re starting a small business, enrolling in courses, or pursuing any new endeavor, what truly matters is that you grow as you work toward the goals you set for yourself. Treat your goals like quests you need to complete and have fun along the way!
In the past, I set goals that didn’t truly motivate me or were too challenging, which led to burnout. I often discouraged myself by thinking, “Oh, it’s too late,” or “I can’t do this, it’s too difficult.” However, I’ve found that aiming for goals that are “10% harder” and gradually growing feels realistic and empowering. This approach allows me to stretch just a bit beyond what I’ve already achieved, pushing my limits in a healthy and intentional way without jeopardizing my mentality.
This summer, I plan to apply a strategy that involves setting specific goals designed to challenge me just enough for personal growth. I’ve decided to organize these goals in a table, similar to quests in a game, where I can complete each task to earn points and level up, becoming a stronger version of myself. By taking small but steady steps forward, I will build both my skills and confidence while maintaining momentum. I want to encourage other people who are reading my comment to think of reaching their goals as a game rather than a boring way to add things to their resume. This focused approach to growth seems like the ideal way to make my fresh start, and others’, meaningful. I want to thank Dr. Milkman and her colleagues for helping me adopt this mindset through their article.
What I identified with most in this article was the idea of “fresh-start moments” like summer or a major life transition. Dr. Katy Milkman explains that these moments represent a psychological break from the past, where the “old me” is left behind, making space for a “new me” filled with optimism and motivation.
The part that impacted me the most was when she talked about the practical steps to make the most of this fresh-start phase: setting SMART goals, creating actionable plans with clear triggers, relying on social support, adopting a growth mindset, and breaking big goals into smaller, manageable steps. That deeply resonated with me.
For example, in my NeuroEd project a study support app I’ve been developing alongside my preparation for the CFA Investment Foundations I try to apply exactly those principles. I’ve already set specific goals, like dedicating two hours a week to improving the app’s AI features, and I’ve established fixed days and times to work. I’ve also been seeking mentors and partners to help boost my motivation and keep me focused.
The article reinforces the idea that by embracing this “restart” mindset, I can face challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than as failures. Even more, I feel that my current experiences like improving the app, studying for certifications, and getting involved in innovation are exactly the kinds of transitions Dr. Milkman describes.
In summary: the article not only strengthened my personal strategy but also inspired me to make even better use of these “fresh-start moments,” especially during natural cycles like the end of a semester or during more intense learning phases. It makes me feel more confident and energized, with clear goals and a realistic plan to achieve them.
I loved the way the author, Diana Drake, represented us with thoughts that we, as high school students, usually think about being on vacations. She let us know that there’s so much more to it than just leaving behind that backpack, textbooks or sprawled. It’s an opportunity to find ourselves and redefine who we really are, from our tastes and preferences, to our goals and passions.
When we set a new goal to pursue, an achievement that excites us, we are also diving into a challenging process full of doubts, burnout, demotivation, discipline and more. However, among all the strategies introduced, I find the third one very effective because it helps a person grow in different ways, not just through support, but also through pressure (not in a bad sense). Committing with another person that knows what you want to achieve and when you want it, is a useful tool to boost your motivation and perseverance on days when you’re struggling with laziness, willpower and the loss of focus. This sense of mutual responsibility pushes you not to disappoint the other person.
Meanwhile, this strategy is even more effective when money is involved. For example, If someone doesn’t meet their goal to go to the gym four times a week, they might have to pay their accountability partner $20. As you may know, no one likes to waste money or feel guilty, so this creates another powerful reason, a monetary one, that keeps you from giving up when your journey gets tough.
This article has reminded me that success doesn’t always lie in discipline alone, but in strategic actions we take by ourselves and by recognizing our behavior patterns that affect our pursuit. It’s about creating effective plans that prepare us to face the moments when negative thoughts or feelings try to take over our mind, heart, and beliefs.
Changing can suck. Whether it’s starting a new hobby or leaving behind your old habits, it can feel uncomfortable and even scary. Like Dr. Milkman said, change often feels like a separation from your past self. But what I’ve learned is that sometimes, discomfort is a sign that you’re moving in the right direction.
In 6th grade, my grades were awful—Bs, Cs, and even Ds. My family urged me to try harder, but I refused. I didn’t know where to begin, and part of me was afraid I wouldn’t like who I became. Then one day, I asked myself: what if I just tried?
At first, not much changed. I made a plan with my mom: one hour of math after breakfast, vocabulary and writing at lunch. It sounded simple, but I started losing hope after a few days. That’s when she showed me one of my old math quizzes—filled with mistakes and a big red 67. When I looked at it again, the problems suddenly felt easy. That one moment helped me realize how far I had come, and it gave me the motivation to keep going.
Dr. Milkman’s strategies—like goal-setting, having a support system, and adopting a growth mindset—mirrored exactly what helped me transform. My “fresh-start moment” wasn’t dramatic. It was quiet and gradual, but powerful. That summer, I fell in love with writing, finished algebra, and learned geometry.
This article reminded me that change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You just need to take that first step—and keep going even when it gets hard. Fresh starts really can happen at any time, and now I feel more prepared for the next one.
Hi Ryan — thank you for sharing such a vulnerable and powerful reflection. Your story reminded me that not all transformations arrive with fanfare; some come quietly, disguised as effort.
I was especially struck by the line: “part of me was afraid I wouldn’t like who I became.” That hesitation — the fear that growth might mean losing a version of ourselves we’re familiar with — is something I’ve felt too. When I started building my social-impact startup, Tirare, I was scared of failing not just publicly, but authentically — of discovering that maybe I wasn’t the kind of leader I thought I could be.
But like you, I learned that change isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s one email. One conversation. One moment when you look at an old test, or reread your code, or revisit your first design — and realize you’ve grown without even noticing. That “quiet power” you talked about? That’s what builds real momentum.
I also really resonated with how your mom became part of your support system. It reminded me of Dr. Milkman’s emphasis on accountability partners — but in your case, it was rooted in love. There’s something deeply moving about that.
Your story isn’t just a testament to hard work — it’s a blueprint for how change feels before it becomes visible. I’m walking away from your comment with a stronger belief that the next “fresh start” doesn’t need to be big — it just needs to be brave.
Keep writing. You’re already leading.
Dr. Milkman brings a point of having specific goals in her second point, stating that having vague goals is what makes us procrastinate the most. I think this is an excellent point she brings up, because vagueness can make us think we have a sense of instability, which can lead to putting off work because we don’t have a solid plan to work off of. Procrastination is an issue most high schoolers face, whether it is because of no motivation, lack of sleep, or mental health issues, and having vague goals only adds onto the mountain of reasons for putting off work. Having ultra specific goals sets up a solid path for us to follow, and it makes it harder to diverge off of the path. However, having vague actions can also make students think more critically, thus helping us make our own judgement and decisions in the future. A metaphor we can use to describe this process is the yellow brick road from the Wizard of Oz. The Good Witch tells Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road after the Wicked Witch of the East is killed. Those were very simple instructions, which Dorothy absentmindedly followed. However, there were no instructions about what to do when she encounters obstacles on the road. Dorothy had to find her own solution when the flying monkeys snatched her and her friends up and took her to the Wicked Witch of the West. She had to think critically in the moment to rescue herself and her friends, and eventually came up with a solution to get them out of the situation. If the Good Witch said “follow the yellow brick road, don’t go off the path, pour water on the witch if you’re taken away, and help people on the way” to Dorothy before she left, then Dorothy’s mind would only be focused on following those instructions and not focused on doing what she desires. Dorothy decided to help the scarecrow, the tin man, and the lion out of pity and the good in her heart, and encountering them also helped her grow as a person by learning about their fears and desires. Although having solid goals can keep us on the right track without wandering, having vague goals can also give us an opportunity to grow and make critical judgments.
Most comments always seem to applaud the article or lift up the spirit of the article in some way. Although this comment does include this aspect. It also goes against the article by supporting the fact that vague goals are benefial while also acknowledging the articles position. This kind of ciritcal thinking is rare. Instead of going with the crowd, the comment truly put its on voice in the conversation.
As a growing teenager, the whirlwind of changes that are presented now is almost too extreme. From not just emotional and physical changes but also social changes that ultimately have led to a state of utter hopelessness. Hopelessness in true glory is something that one cannot shake off as it goes beyond the ability of not being able to do something. But more in the mentality that you are not able to do anything on your scale. I and many other teenagers, especially during the drastically changing state of our world right now, may relate to this on many different scales, whether that’s bigger or smaller.
These changes are almost like a horrendous wave taking over a perfectly peaceful stillness of the once calm ocean that may be our childhood or more. However, as I read this article and looked at all that I have experienced during these changing days. I have realized that so much of this utter hopelessness is no more than its definition; it’s a mentality. In which you perceive change in so many ways. The most beneficial one is that, even as Angel R states, without change, there would not be natural gaining of more knowledge and experience. I have realized in many ways that perhaps that wave may not be the ugly face we or I might give it. But rather that change or wave may bring a whole new world that may exceed your previous. It showed me that stepping outside your comfort zone is scary — but the rewards can be life-changing. I have realized such an important message to truly reach your potential, no matter your age, but especially as a teenager.
In your changing world, where rules might seem too confining and people might seem too complex. Hopelessness can truly take over. However, embracing change and powering through that hopelessness by trying out things you never would, especially during the summertime, might allow you to leave that hopelessness behind. Because truly, it will make you realize that it was always just a mental block and never a hole in your ability and voice. You are not hopeless. Ever
As Dr. Katy Milkman’s powerful words express, chapter breaks allow a kind of separation that differs you from what you were before. These chapter breaks are not only essentially changes but also moments that give us permission to grow, and experiences from them can allow so much optimism and so much less hopelessness. That I don’t remain who I was yesterday. That each choice can start a new chapter and experience in my life. One that can build my education, career and so much more.
Our domain is essentially endless when you let go of certain mentalities and put yourself out there to allow yourself to grow. And one huge way you can do this is by taking steps towards embracing change, towards putting yourself out there, towards not feeling hopelessness. Whether those are baby steps or more, each of them will be so much more valuable than you realize. So truly set goals and steps for these for yourself this summer and conquer them! Specifically, this summer I cannot wait to explore my own passions of writing and social impact! I’m not hopeless and I can make a difference in this large world! And so can you. Change will not be my enemy instead for me and many others, it’s just a beginning.
Hi Maryam,
Your words carried the kind of weight that lingers — not because they were heavy, but because they were honest. Thank you for speaking so openly about the quiet, sometimes invisible ache of hopelessness that many of us feel but don’t always have the language for.
I was especially moved by your description of change as a wave — one that initially feels like it’s drowning the calm, but eventually reveals a whole new ocean beyond the storm. That metaphor captures something profound: change isn’t just disruption; it’s reformation. And just like tectonic shifts make mountains, sometimes it’s the most jarring moments that carve out new strength in us.
Your reflection made me pause and consider how many times I’ve labeled my own limitations as permanent — when in truth, they were just temporary mentalities, as you put it. I recently started working on a social impact mobility initiative, and there were nights I felt like I had no voice, no right to build something that might affect others. But reading your comment reminded me: hopelessness isn’t a lack of ability — it’s a lack of perspective.
I hope you continue writing, not just as a passion, but as a way to give that voice within you to others who might need it too. Your comment wasn’t just a reply to an article — it was a fresh start for everyone who read it.
Thank you for helping me reframe my own waves.
I used to think that some people were simply “born with it,” whether it was intelligence, talent, or just a knack for socializing. However, this article has challenged that, particularly with its insights on growable traits and the true freedom of a “fresh start” moment.
In the past, I used this as an excuse for not trying. I don’t think it was laziness; rather, a fear of failure and of never measuring up to others is what held me back. I seriously believed that no matter how hard I worked, I could never exceed those deemed “smarter”. With that mindset, I eventually stopped trying, as I was convinced that it wouldn’t lead to anything.
I believe my struggle resonates with the article’s emphasis on chapter breaks. For years, I would try to take that first step to make a fresh start, especially every summer before the upcoming school year. I would tell myself, “I will study more consistently. I will start exercising more,” but it never happened, and I would inevitably fall back into my old habits and routine.
Thank you to Dr. Milkman for sharing these useful tips, as I now feel certain that I can prevent myself from falling back into that cycle. I can be free from that past version of myself, which I wasn’t proud of, and become someone with better habits and qualities. This article served as a reminder that, although it may sound cliché, anything can be achieved if you’re willing to put in the time, work, and effort.
Going forward, I will continuously work towards my goals through increased self-awareness. I will recognize my own potential and that I can achieve anything I desire, by no longer letting fear hold me back. Although it might take some time, as this shift in thinking doesn’t happen overnight, slowly adopting this new perspective makes every “fresh start” for me another exciting opportunity to achieve things I previously thought were beyond my reach.
“These are the moments in life when we perceive chapter breaks in our stories.” What interests me about this quote is the fact that Milkan explains that “We feel like we’re separated from who we were before the chapter ended.” I like to think of this in mathematical terms. Most people believe life to be an exponential curve, or linear or quadratic depending on the path of such a life. That is what I believed too. But this article opened a way to a new graph: the piecewise graph. This is the graph we learned in 8th grade and never touched again: a set of discontinued graphs. Each discontinued point is a climax leading to the next chapter. It is a jump, or a fall. This means that life doesn’t have to just be an exponential curve, or linear or quadratic. It can be all, with each discontinuity being a shift, a learning moment, a new world.
This article really opened my eyes. I used to just make goals like “do better in school,” but I didn’t think much about how I would actually reach them. After reading this, I realized that small steps and clear plans are more helpful than just motivation.
For example, this summer I decided to improve my writing and enter more competitions. Instead of just saying “I’ll practice,” I now write for 30 minutes every day after lunch. It’s simple, but it works.
I think other students should try this too. Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” — just start small and be consistent. Progress doesn’t happen in one day, but it always starts with one step.
Summer 2025 isn’t just a school vacation or a time to push my backpack onto the ground and forget about it. It’s a reboot to me a chance to do something new, challenge myself, and be a better me.
I was deeply touched by Angel’s attitude when I learned of him, the student who signed up for the Wharton summer program in England. In the same way, I love diving into new things. I believe that the summer is the ideal time to risk it, learn something entirely new, and just go for it. I am interested in business, and I’ve learned that I don’t necessarily have to wait until I go to college to learn. Wharton classes are an excellent opportunity to challenge myself out of my comfort zone and actually get a head start now.
I also really loved what Professor Milkman had to say regarding “chapter breaks.” That just really speaks to me. Summer is a new chapter where I can leave behind anything that held me back all school year and just begin anew. It’s kind of motivating to be able to think, “That was the old me, and now this is the new me.”
One of her recommendations that hit home for me the most was setting definitive, concrete goals. I’ll always tell myself I want to get better at time management or be more organized, but I don’t always stick to it. Now I’m realizing it’s because I wasn’t setting actual, concrete goals. Just changing that one thing making my goals concrete and attainable might actually help me stick to them.
This summer, I want to work on development. Whether it’s learning more about business, volunteering, or overcoming something personal like confidence or public speaking, I know that it all counts. I’ve learned that everything is malleable not intelligence, not leadership, not even things I once believed I was “bad” at. Anything can grow if I put in the effort.
That mindset shift has already made a difference. This summer, I’m not just taking a break I’m starting a new chapter.
Dr. Milkman’s advice to find “partners or mentors who can help you stay accountable” really resonated with me. I used to think that the process of setting goals and achieving them had to be an individual process, that independence was somehow part of what made the goal legitimate. However, after reading this article, I realized that finding the right partner can actually add to the achievement of the goal rather than detract from it. Not only might they help you achieve your goal, but you also might gain a friend who you can rely on in other parts of life. This summer, I am working as a camp counselor at a golf camp for the first time, and my goal has been to make sure I go above and beyond in helping set up, hang out with the kids, and clean up the mess left behind. I feel so lucky to have bonded with two of my fellow counselors who have slightly more experience working at this camp. On my first day, they showed me the ropes, and from then on, we have been helping each other stay on task. These new friendships have made my job so much fun. Having two great partners to help me achieve my goal has been a true blessing.
Dr. Milkman’s idea of the “fresh-start effect” really stuck with me because I’ve always had a complicated relationship with change. I used to think transformation had to be dramatic, like reinventing yourself from scratch. But this article reframed it for me. Change can be as simple as turning a page, not rewriting the whole book.
The idea that almost every trait is growable really hit home. I’ve caught myself saying things like “I’m just not good at public speaking” or “I’m not a natural leader,” but this helped me realize I don’t have to be born with those skills. I can build them.
One strategy that really resonated with me is setting specific, time-bound goals. Now that summer has started, I set a goal to become a better speaker. Instead of just hoping I’ll magically feel confident by fall, I’ve been practicing five-minute speeches in front of my mirror each night. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s consistent. I’ve already started to feel more comfortable speaking up in conversations and group settings. That small daily habit is starting to snowball.
The article also reminded me that leadership isn’t something you wait to be ready for. You grow into it. Slowly. Intentionally. And sometimes awkwardly. But that’s okay. I’ve started to view each day as a chance to improve by just one percent. That mindset alone has helped me try more things, fail with confidence, and bounce back faster.
This summer isn’t about reinvention. It’s about momentum. I don’t need to become a whole new person. I just need to believe I can keep moving forward, little by little.
Hi Eric,
I really appreciated the calm clarity in your comment. The way you described change as “turning a page, not rewriting the whole book” resonated with the gentle strength many people need to hear.
That said, I’ve found myself walking a different path. For me, change has rarely been quiet or subtle — it’s been disruptive, uncomfortable, and, strangely, something I’ve come to embrace. Where some fear burnout, I sometimes seek what I call “constructive collapse”: the point where your old limitations break down entirely, so you can build something radically new.
Don’t get me wrong — I see the wisdom in momentum and incrementalism. Your five-minute mirror speeches are a brilliant example of that. But for me, transformation has come in the form of whole-life shifts — starting a public venture from scratch, rewriting my value system, or completely overhauling how I learn. I think the difference lies in how people recharge: some by building slowly, others by breaking and rebuilding entirely.
What we both share, though, is belief in agency — that traits are growable and leadership is not inherited, but practiced. Whether you reinvent or evolve, it’s about owning that process.
Your comment reminded me that there’s more than one tempo to transformation. And I’m grateful you shared yours — it helped me reflect more deeply on mine.
Dear Dr. Katy Milkman and Diana Drake,
Thank you for your informative article! It was nice, short, and straight to the point.
I am a rising senior, which means that this summer, the summer of 2025, will be extremely significant. As mentioned in the article’s opening, “ Summer 2025… is an opportunity to change and grow”, and that’s why I am determined to make the most of it.
The idea of “chapter breaks” deeply resonated with me. I view every summer as an opportunity to change, both academically and physically, driven by the idea that you mentioned: “that was the old me and this is the new me”. Even before reading this, I have long felt that summer break is like a springboard that leads to change. By utilizing the 3 months wisely, I will be able to improve my skills, both academically and physically, and develop the qualities that I desire to achieve.
Last summer, as I was scrolling through social media, I came across an “idol project” show, and I was instantly hooked. It was basically a survival show where fans would vote for their favorite contestant to “debut” as a pop star. Almost instantly, I became a fan of one of the idols – let’s call them S. S was extremely self reliant, determined, persistent, ambitious, and most importantly, inspiring. Watching them, I felt motivated to become “a better me” by the end of the summer. Motivated by this, I drafted a packed, weekly schedule:
9:00 – Breakfast
10:00 – Exercise for 90 minutes while watching TV
12:00 – Complete assignments and test prep
2:00 – Lunch
3:30 – Exercise for 90 minutes while watching TV
5:00 – Extracurricular classes
7:00 – Shower
8:00 – Dinner
9:00 – Complete chores
10:00 – Watch TV with family
Without realizing it, I had perfectly aligned my schedule with Dr. Milkman’s strategy number 2! By creating a detailed schedule, I knew exactly what I wanted, and how I was moving towards that goal. Even so, I would see the statement about how “vague intentions are easy to procrastinate on” slightly differently. I think this statement depends heavily on the person. Personally, I know someone who simply writes “Homework”, “Exercise”, “Diet”, and “Social” on their schedules, and somehow, even though they use vague wording, they never procrastinate!
I experienced both methods firsthand last summer. At first, I tried the specific, detailed, action plan method, and it worked brilliantly! As I repeated the same activities for a month, waves of pride washed over me, day by day. This feeling is kind of indescribable, but it can be compared to seeing a rainbow after a day of pouring rain. Later on, I was not as proactive so I tried simply writing single-word tasks instead. Although I was able to commit to my schedule, it was more so motivated by my admiration for S, the idol project contestant. S debuted in the end (Yay!), but they had to take a hiatus for academic reasons. This further inspired me: whenever I started to procrastinate, I would think about S, and how they’re still practicing and working towards their goal.
Time slipped like sand in an hourglass, and it’s summer again. Except, this summer is slightly different from all my past summers. Everyone around me seems to have started prepping for senior year and college apps way earlier, but it is too late to start regretting that now. Instead, I’m focusing on what I can do, and what I should start doing. I plan to utilize strategies 4 and 6 this summer, before the school year officially starts. By intentionally recognizing that missteps are opportunities for growth, I can embrace challenges as part of my development. Following strategy 6, by “leveling up” and “stretching” myself, I will be able to break through barriers and achieve new breakthroughs.
Thank you so much for sharing these extremely valuable strategies to help us embrace our summer while feeling prepared and ready. In return, I would love to share a quote that has helped me feel less stressed about everything. Recently, on the social media app Douyin, I came across this quote that I really liked:
“You are in your own time zone, you’re neither early nor late. You have your own pace just like how others have their own schedules. No one is ahead of you and you’re not trailing behind anyone. Fate will deliver its gifts: whether it be misfortune or blessing. Do not worry because everything will unfold exactly as it should, with time.”
I hope that whoever sees this quote and comment, can stop stressing about everything in their lives! Whatever may be ahead of you, just remember that if you give it your best, then you have nothing to regret. Best of luck to you, to myself, and everyone else.
Summer break is a period almost every student looks forward to. This is often caused by how pressuring and stressful school, constant learning and socialization is tiring. Though people initially think that they’re going to spend the break relaxing (myself included), people actively change, they search for and take opportunities to grow, not only because they are rising in grade level, but also because they feel that if their peers grow, so should they.
This article pointed out that all traits are growable in a sense, personally I wasn’t really surprised by this fact. Humans are naturally adaptable creatures, that is what has allowed us to prosper for so long. If almost everything about us was made to adapt to different scenarios shouldn’t the traits we have be able to change as well? Obviously we can’t change these traits with the snap of a finger, like humanity has always been. We have to work hard to do this, and as pointed out in the article, working with someone like a friend can really help someone on their path of improvement. From my personal experience doing something with a friend is substantially better than doing it alone, my most common example would be going to the gym. Working out alone can be difficult for a lot of people, especially me. I get distracted and unmotivated very easily, but when you work out with someone you feel that you have to be at a certain standard. Constantly pushing each other to improve. This article has truly reinforced the ways I think, not that I see that other people also find this approach good. I feel more confident in myself. I plan to work with people more over the summer, either for working out, art, studying, and many other activities.
Summer break is a period to take a hold of the opportunities you have been given, and turn them into something both memorable and beneficial. Whether caused by a yearn to improve one self for personal reasons or simply to not fall behind their peers, I believe this article has likely changed and helped many people understand how they can approach life. Myself included.
This summer, I’m not just trying to “take a break”—I’m trying to hit reset. Reading about this article made me realize that change doesn’t need to be dramatic to be meaningful. Sometimes, It can begin with small decisions that shift the way we see ourselves. Katy Milkman’s words about chapter breaks really stuck with me: “We feel like we’re separated from who we were before the chapter ended– that was the old me and this is the new me.” I’ve felt that in my own life, especially after finishing a tough semester where I didn’t feel like my best self. I’m not trying to become a whole new person– but I am trying to level up the one I already am. One strategy that stood out was the idea of setting SMART goals and attaching them to clear routines. I’ve always said I want to improve my writing, but now I’ve actually started doing something about it– writing 15 minutes every morning, even if it’s messy. I even leave my notebook on my desk as a visual cue– just like Milkman’s “clear triggers” tip. What I love most about this article is that it made growth feel possible. Not just for someone like Angel who traveled across the world– but for anyone willing to show up, stretch 10% past their comfort zone, and believe in their ability to grow. This summer, I joined a local youth entrepreneurship program, where we worked in teams to design mini business plans. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice– it’s about listening, helping others, and being willing to grow. My plan is not to escape who I was, but to build who I want to become– one fresh-start moment at a time.
I’ve never really thought of summer break as a “chapter break.” It’s always just been a blur of trying to be productive without burning out—of making random lists in my Notes apps titled things like “Glow Up Ideas” or “Do Over Summer”—and then completely ignoring them by week two. But reading this made me realize that I treat summer like a reset without ever actually resetting anything. I just sort of hope I’ll magically become more focused or motivated without really changing how I approach things.
I’m not the kind of person who thrives off of a long-term “grinding” energy. I’ve tried writing out intense plans in the past: self-study next-year’s classes, get better at time management, maybe even going back to art, but it usually never sticks. The article’s point about vague goals being easy to procrastinate on hit a little too close. Like how “get better at” things isn’t exactly a good strategy. And neither is waiting until I feel like I’ve become a “better version” of myself before trying in the first place.
The part that stuck with me the most, though, was about how we label ourselves and the reminder that “most traits are malleable.” Like telling myself “I’m not leader material,” or “I’m too shy for this,” or “I’m not built for business.” It’s weird how those thoughts sneak in and start to feel like facts. It’s not like someone stamped a label on me. I just accepted them like they were true.
So maybe that’s what a “fresh start” actually looks like: not becoming a totally different person, but challenging the version of myself I’ve been defaulting to. Maybe that means introducing myself to new people, or applying to something I’d usually scroll past, or even just speaking up when I normally wouldn’t. I don’t expect to become some wildly transformed person by the end of August. But if I can stop letting old labels take over, I think that itself already is progress.
Hi Sherry,
Your honesty moved me. The way you described treating summer like a “reset without actually resetting anything” felt painfully familiar — like staring at those old “glow up” lists, expecting them to kickstart a new version of ourselves by sheer force of hope.
But you said something important: “Maybe that’s what a ‘fresh start’ actually looks like — not becoming a totally different person, but challenging the version of myself I’ve been defaulting to.” That line alone is worth printing out and pinning to a wall. It’s deeply true for most people.
And yet, reading your words made me realize something: I do want to become a totally different person. Not because the old me was worthless — but because I believe in rebirth, in reinvention through effort. For me, summer isn’t a soft reset; it’s a crucible. I don’t fear the burnout. I fear stagnation.
You talked about the weight of self-labels — “too shy,” “not built for business” — and I’ve been there too. But the only label that ever mattered to me was the one I hadn’t earned yet. I started chasing change not because I thought I was ready, but because I wasn’t. And that’s what made it real.
You don’t have to wait for motivation. You don’t have to wait for proof that you’re “leader material.” Sometimes you just start. You show up. And then you become.
Your reflection isn’t just progress — it’s ignition. Whatever version of yourself you grow into next, I hope she’s loud, brave, and entirely unexpected. Because that’s the kind of growth the world never sees coming — but always remembers.
Here’s to burning the script — and writing your own.
Dr. Milkman’s words explaining how we should plan SMART goals struck me the hardest. We all make big assumption thinking we can do this or that and set big goals but when we actually start doing it, we understand the real challenge and usually drop it within a week or two. My parents have always taught me – “Consistency is key” and this point made me resonate with those words. This is going to be one of my biggest key takeaway from this article about making SMART goals and going one step at a time to ultimately reach our goals.
As a student, I’ve always been sort of confused between ambition and procrastination. But this line — “almost everything is growable with work and effort” — gave me hope. It reminded me that I don’t need to be perfect, I just need to start somewhere.
One thing which made me smile was the last point stated by Dr. Milkman that we should grow gradually by pushing ourselves just 10% each day rather exhausting ourselves on the first day and stop it form the second day.
In this social world, people have started living as if they are living for others, not for themselves. They see some of their friends posting stories on Instagram about a fancy restaurant they recently visited and now all of a sudden they also want to go there, and not to sit and eat or enjoy, but to take hundreds of photographs and posting them on their stories to show it to others and prove that we are not “Uncool”.
The concept that “All traits are growable” made me reflect upon the tasks that i had labelled as ‘Not for me’. It made me believe that with the right mindset and discipline and making a SMART goal and pushing ourselves by just 10%, we can achieve anything.
This summer, I used my chapter break not just to rest, but to reset. I took time to reflect on where I stood, especially in terms of leadership and personal growth. Instead of wasting time endlessly scrolling, I challenged myself to start reading business articles and keep my mind busy at all times learning something new.