New Year’s Resolution Success Rate: What the Numbers Reveal

I don’t need to tell you that New Year’s resolutions are a time honored tradition and millions of people will pledge to change themselves for the better. But the trouble is sticking to them. This can help you plan better for your success and reach your goals in 2025.

How successful are New Year’s Resolutions?

General Statistics

1. Overall Success Rates

• According to US News and World Report, approximately 9% of individuals adhere to their New Year’s resolutions for the year.
• It’s estimated that 23 percent of all resolutions don’t make it past the first week.
• Some good news about keeping your new years resolutions: 64% of all resolutions don’t last past February.

2. Success by Age Group

• Among younger adults (18–34), this rate is 16 per cent; among people over 55, the rate falls to 10 per cent.
• It could simply be due to the fact that younger people are more adaptable, and more motivated.

(Source: Inc. and Statista)

Why Do Resolutions Fail?

Common Challenges

1. Unrealistic Goals

• Around 35 per cent have overly ambitious or vague resolutions.
• Example: Things like ‘lose 50 pounds in two months’ or ‘Become fluent in a new language by March.’

2. Lack of Accountability

• Many have no support or tracking system so it is hard to stay consistent.
• 25% of people give up on their goals because there is no one to hold them accountable.

3. Loss of Motivation

• After an initial setback or experiencing slow progress, 23% people lose enthusiasm.

4. Poor Time Management

• People don’t prioritize their resolutions, or often don’t give them enough time.

Factors It Depends on

1. Setting SMART Goals

• 42% of the goals you set are more likely to succeed if they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and have
• a timeline —SMART goals.

2. Tracking Progress

• Those who check in on what they are doing are 30% more likely to get to where they want.
• Journals, apps or Fix My Life AI are tools that help track our progress.

3. Accountability Partners

• 30% success rate sharing resolutions with a friend/family member, 33% with mentor.

4. Processing of Goals into Smaller Steps

• One step at a time, you tackle this one step, keep the momentum on track and defeat overwhelm.

Categories and their success rate.

1. Health and Fitness

• A third of resolutions are health related.
• Some common resolutions are: losing weight; exercising regularly; eating healthy.
• Success Rate: But about 20% stick to these goals all year long.

2. Career and Professional Goals

• Career advancement or skill development are involved in 20 percent of resolutions.
• Success Rate: Around 12% achieve long term gain because of clearer milestones and other forms of motivation.

3. Financial Goals

• 19% aim to save money, payoff debt or make better money habits.
• Success Rate: 15% achieve the financial resolutions with the help of with budgeting apps.

4. Relationships

• There is also 11% focus on improving personal and or professional relationships.
• Success Rate: These goals are generally ones that involve us working towards them with other people, and 18% get lasting improvement from them.

(Source: Forbes and Psychology Today)

New Year’s Resolutions seem to always start so great, yet end so dramatically.

1. Set Realistic Goals

• Set and stick to attainable resolutions that fit into your current lifestyle and resources, and so on.

2. Use the SMART Framework

• Example: Instead of saying to someone “Exercise more”, tell them “I want to exercise for 30 minutes, five times a week for three months.”

3. Track Progress

• Use apps like Fix My Life AI to track your daily or weekly successes or even have a journal.

4. Build Accountability

• Talk it through with a trusted friend or look into support groups as well to keep yourself motivated.

5. Celebrate Milestones

• Reward yourself with smaller steps on your way to the big picture so you stay motivated for the bigger picture.

6. Be Kind to Yourself

• Setbacks happen, and accepting this will help you use the negative incidences as learning opportunities; rather than giving up.

How Fix My Life AI Can Help

Fix My Life AI is an AI-powered platform designed to help you achieve your resolutions with:

• Goal Templates: Group resolutions by health, career and finances.
• Progress Dashboards: Achievements were visualized and strategies are polished.
• Daily Motivation: Get affirmations and reminders to keep you along your path.
• Personalized Advice: Learn how to overcome challenges with AI driven insights.

Conclusion

But with a little help, your New Year’s resolutions might not seem so impossible after all. It’s possible to be in the 9 per cent who achieve their resolutions in 2025 if you set clear, realistic goals and track that progress while remaining accountable.

Get started on a plan and begin tracking your goals with Fix My Life AI — Have the most successful year yet!

ADDITIONAL READING

Top New Year’s Resolution Statistics: Insights for 2025

New Year’s Resolution Challenges for Accountability

New Year’s resolution success rate and tips