Calendar Illusion Delays January Planning -- Schedule Early To Compensate

Key Quotes

"Things that are happening in January may feel like they are a long time off. Being in an entirely new year and all. But they really aren't. So make sure your mental model of the calendar is right."

Laura explains that the transition from December to January can create a psychological disconnect regarding time. She notes that events in early January often feel distant from a late December perspective, even though they are chronologically close. Laura suggests that listeners should actively adjust their perception of the calendar to avoid being caught off guard by upcoming deadlines or events.

"Well, intellectually, I know that the week beginning January 5th is the week right after the one beginning December 29th. And the week beginning January 12th is a mere two weeks after the one beginning December 29th. The calendar break makes it feel like a chasm. Something happening on January 13th feels like it is far in the future from the perspective of late December. Even though, well, it isn't."

Laura illustrates the cognitive bias that occurs at the year's end, where the calendar reset distorts the perception of time. She points out that despite knowing the actual proximity of dates, the new year's start creates a feeling of a significant temporal gap. Laura uses specific date examples to demonstrate how this "calendar break" can lead to underestimating how soon events in early January will arrive.

"I get caught up on this every year. I have two kids with birthdays immediately after Christmas. And I would not think to plan their parties. Even though I know that getting an in-demand spot requires booking five to six weeks ahead of time. So, a public service announcement. Six weeks before, let's say, January 17th is December 6th. It is not January 5th."

Laura shares a personal anecdote to highlight the practical consequences of this temporal distortion. She admits to repeatedly underestimating the planning lead time needed for her children's post-Christmas birthdays. Laura emphasizes that the required booking period, which is six weeks out, actually falls in early December, not January, contradicting her initial perception.

"I am not sure there's a good way around this mental block. But fortunately, when we know we have certain mental blocks, we can build in systems to avoid the downsides. For instance, I now put on my calendar in late November to plan my post-Christmas babies' birthday parties. I may scratch my head when I see that entry and first think, but that is ages from now. And then I remind myself that, no, it is not."

Laura proposes a practical solution to overcome the mental block of the calendar reset. She explains that by proactively building systems, such as setting calendar reminders in late November for post-Christmas events, one can mitigate the negative effects. Laura acknowledges that initially seeing such an early reminder might still feel premature, but she uses it as an opportunity to reinforce the correct temporal understanding.

"If you, likewise, have something big at work happening during the first three weeks of January, do yourself a favor and start building it into your mental picture before the holidays. If you would normally start thinking about a big thing a month in advance. Well, a month ahead of mid-January is mid-December. There is likely nothing different about this big project versus any other big project. And you don't have to do everything. But you might be kicking yourself on January 5th when you realize how close the deadline is."

Laura extends her advice to professional contexts, urging listeners to consider upcoming January work projects. She suggests that if a typical planning horizon is one month, then for mid-January events, this planning should commence in mid-December. Laura warns that neglecting this can lead to regret and a realization of how little time is actually available once January begins.