FY25 Begins. The Real Game Begins.
Brain Hacks to Flip the Script This Financial Year
Date: 29-04-2025
Reading time: 2 minutes
SHIFT #22
The first quarter of FY25 just wrapped up.
The dust of annual planning has settled.
Decks were made, strategies pitched, numbers reviewed.
But let’s be honest — this was the warm-up.
This is when momentum (or the lack of it) really shows.
And if FY24 felt like a year of “almosts”, you’re not alone.
Some plans worked. Some didn’t. Some… just quietly fizzled out.
The reason? Not always poor execution or external curveballs. Often, it’s your own brain quietly sabotaging progress with hidden biases.
But here’s the kicker: The same biases that tripped you up last year?
You can use them to gain an edge this year.
Let’s unpack the biggest cognitive traps from FY24 — and how to flip them into performance tools for FY25.
In this newsletter, we’ll cover:
- 5 brain biases that quietly undercut performance — and why they’re more common than you think
- How each bias may have affected your FY24 outcomes
- Simple mental flips to turn these biases into tools for momentum in FY25
- A personal FY25 reflection challenge to make it stick
1. The Telescoping Effect
What it did in FY24:
August feels like it happened in another lifetime. But December? Practically last week.
- Introduce novelty in routines — it stretches perceived time.
- Track progress visually (even a monthly snapshot will do).
- Build in reflection — revisit wins to make them stick in memory.
Power move: Don’t let your year reduce to a blur of busywork. Time-stamp your achievements, so you remember where the effort went.
2. The Region-Beta Paradox
Why ‘fine’ is the most dangerous place to be
What it did in FY24:
You stuck with something that drained energy — not bad enough to quit, not good enough to thrive in. A vendor, a process, a role, maybe even a relationship.
The paradox? We respond faster to real crises than to chronic mediocrity.
Did this happen to you?
Think of one thing you kept tolerating even though it slowed you down.
Flip it in FY25:
- Set non-negotiables — if it drains you repeatedly, it goes.
- Don’t wait for “bad enough.” Use small irritations as signals, not background noise.
- Put a time cap on tolerating inertia.
Power move: Don’t wait for fire to take action. Fix the slow leaks early.
3. The Goal Gradient Effect
Why you start slow but sprint at the end
What it did in FY24:
You dragged your feet on projects — until the deadline showed up. Then it was go-time. That adrenaline rush? It’s your brain reacting to proximity, not priority.
Did this happen to you?
If your Q4 performance was your strongest, this bias was likely steering you.
Flip it in FY25:
- Break goals into smaller deadlines.
- Celebrate halfway points, not just finishes.
- Create early momentum with a few easy wins.
Power move: Treat every month like the last month of the year. Urgency isn’t just for December.
4. The Einstellung Effect
When experience becomes your blindfold
What it did in FY24:
You defaulted to tried-and-tested methods—even when they weren’t delivering. Familiarity can quietly kill innovation.
Did this happen to you?
If you resisted a new idea or approach because “this is how we’ve always done it”, it’s this bias in action.
Flip it in FY25:
- Ask: “What would a complete outsider do here?”
- Rotate problem-owners. Bring in new minds for old issues.
- Challenge every “default” at least once this year.
Power move: Experience should sharpen judgment, not limit your field of vision.
5. The Ben Franklin Effect
The counterintuitive way to build deeper trust
What it did in FY24:
You thought helping others builds loyalty. But research shows people like you more when they help you. Asking builds investment.
Did this happen to you?
If you offered help but hesitated to ask for it, you missed an opportunity for stronger collaboration.
Flip it in FY25:
- Ask for feedback, even when you think you know the answer.
- Let others contribute to your growth—give them a stake.
- Use reciprocity to build real relationships.
Power move: Don’t just be the dependable giver. Be the person worth investing in.
Your FY25 Challenge:
Let’s make this personal.
SHIFT isn’t just about behavioural insights.
It’s about using your brain better — before it uses you.
P.S. We read every reply. Really. (No AI filters here.)
