January is nearly over, which probably means your New Year’s resolutions are forgotten – or will be soon.
A 2018 study of 108 million American activities by fitness app Strava found that Jan. 17 was the most likely day for resolutions to be tossed out the window.
Why do people start out the New Year with such vim and vigor, but falter so quickly?
“The ‘Fresh Start Effect’ is best exemplified by the New Year phenomenon, when everyone is extra motivated to pursue their goals,” says Katy Milkman, an economist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and author of the book “How To Change.” But, by February, “it’s not as socially acceptable to talk about resolutions or to wake up thinking about them,” Milkman adds.
When YouGov recently asked people about their resolutions for 2024, “saving more money” was the top response at 23% – more than being happy, exercising or anything else.
Here are a few tips to keep your resolutions alive and generate lasting change.
