[Image of Setting Goals, Credit to Pixabay]

The popularity of New Year’s resolutions is on the rise: a survey conducted by BBC revealed that 42.5% of Us adults created New Year’s goals in 2025, marking a 7% increase from the previous year, impacting more people’s lives with each passing year. 

New Year’s resolutions refer to a personal commitment or a goal established at the start of the year to benefit specific aspects of one’s life. 

Many approach this tradition with optimism, viewing it encourages an opportunity for a fresh start, enabling them to focus on personal growth and adopt healthier habits. 

Among the survey respondents, there was a noticeable preference towards exercising more, with 48% claiming this target as their primary focus. 

This trend is further reflected in gyms’ monthly revenue, which saw profits surge by 25% to 50% in January due to countless people signing up for the membership, according to the World Health Organization(WHO), illustrating the tangible economic impact of New Year’s resolutions. 

Another common trend is the goal of saving money, often influenced by their goals and the financial strain experienced after the holiday season. 

As a result, the discretionary industry is often affected the most severely as people prioritize the most fundamental aspects of their lives, avoiding to spend their money on non-essential sectors like luxury goods, travel, entertainment, and fast food.

The renowned fast-food company, McDonald’s is a prime example that has been experiencing declining sales in January due to the general propensity towards healthier meals. 

The company introduced attractive promotions last month to regain customers, such as the ‘McValue’ program, featuring deals like a 5$ meal and “buy one, add one for 1$” offer. 

However, this shift in consumer behavior won’t affect companies as much, due to people’s short-lived enthusiasm and the fading motivation in preserving their goals.

Research highlighted by Time Magazine reveals that 80% of people fail to maintain their resolutions by February due to various factors, such as unrealistic goals, lacking discipline, and poor time management. 

For instance, while gyms experienced a significant increase in their revenue in January last year, the attendance dwindled by 27% the following month, according to the same research conducted by the World Health Organization(WHO). 

Similarly, McDonald’s profit stabilized after a few weeks as consumers returned to their original dietary habits, struggling to adhere to the strict demands of their objectives.

This underscores the difficulty of sustaining New Year’s resolutions, with many finding their initial efforts ultimately unfulfilled  despite the commitment.

However, there are strategies that can help people overcome these common obstacles. 

One effective approach is to set clear targets so the process can be measured quantifiably; a specific goal like “save $200 per month” instead of “save money” allows for a measurable progress and a definite realization of achievement. 

Additionally, maintaining consistency is beneficial in building healthy habits as the contribution of even the smallest actions may be substantial.

Ultimately, while the concept of New Year’s resolutions introduce challenges, adopting realistic goals, measurable plans, and consistent habits can enable individuals to achieve lasting positivity in their lives.