Every January, millions of people around the world embrace the symbolic “fresh start” that the new year provides. Fuelled by optimism and the desire for self-improvement, we set resolutions that promise better habits, healthier living, and greater fulfilment.
But as the enthusiasm of January fades, so too do many of these well-intentioned goals.
Understanding which resolutions tend to succeed—and which commonly fail—can help us set more achievable plans for the year ahead.
The Top 10 Most Common New Year’s Resolutions
While resolutions vary from person to person, research and surveys consistently reveal the same recurring themes. The top 10 most frequently made resolutions are:
- Exercise more
- Lose weight or improve diet
- Save more money or reduce debt
- Get organised / declutter
- Learn a new skill or hobby
- Quit smoking or reduce alcohol
- Spend more time with family and friends
- Travel more
- Reduce stress and improve mental health
- Focus on personal growth (reading, mindfulness, education)
These resolutions reflect universal desires: better health, financial stability, meaningful relationships, and personal fulfilment.
The Top 3 Resolutions Most Likely to Come True
Some resolutions naturally align with behaviours that are easier to implement, measure, and sustain—especially when they can be broken down into small, practical actions. The top three most achievable resolutions tend to be:
- Exercising More
This goal often succeeds because it doesn’t require perfection—just consistency. People can start small: walking during lunch breaks, joining the gym with a friend, or following short at-home workouts. The immediate reward (more energy, better sleep, improved mood) reinforces the habit quickly.
- Getting Organised
Decluttering or improving organisation is a highly achievable resolution because progress is visible and motivating. Whether it’s cleaning out a cupboard, digitising files, or setting up a daily planner, the tangible sense of control encourages people to keep going.
- Saving Money
While long-term financial goals may be challenging, small steps like creating a budget, automating savings, or reducing unnecessary spending are relatively easy to adopt. Because improvements accumulate gradually, people tend to stay committed once they see results.
The Top 3 Resolutions That Rarely Eventuate
On the other end of the spectrum, some resolutions are so broad, unrealistic, or dependent on major lifestyle changes that they often fail before February arrives.
- Losing Weight
Although closely related to the highly successful “exercise more,” weight loss as a resolution tends to fail because people expect rapid results without adjusting long-term habits such as nutrition, sleep, or stress management. Unsustainable dieting, perfectionism, and lack of planning typically derail progress.
- Learning a New Skill or Hobby
Many start the year excited to learn a language, play an instrument, or master a craft. But without a structured plan, accountability, or regular practice schedule, enthusiasm quickly fades. This resolution often lacks urgency and competes with existing commitments.
- Quitting Smoking
One of the toughest resolutions, this goal requires battling addiction—and willpower alone is rarely enough. Without professional support, nicotine replacement therapies, or behavioural strategies, most attempts fail within weeks. While absolutely achievable with the right tools, it’s one of the least successful when treated as a simple New Year promise.
A Better Way to Approach Resolutions
The pattern is clear: resolutions grounded in small, measurable actions are far more likely to succeed. Those relying on drastic behaviour change or vague aspirations tend to fall short. The key to making resolutions stick is to replace lofty promises with realistic, incremental steps—and to recognise that lasting transformation is not a once-a-year event, but a continuous journey.
If the new year symbolises a clean slate, then each day within it offers an opportunity to move one step closer to the life you want to create.
If this article has inspired you to think about your unique situation and, more importantly, what you and your family are going through right now, please get in touch with your advice professional.
This information does not consider any person’s objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before making a decision, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your particular objectives, financial situation, or needs.
(Feedsy Exclusive)