Why Most People Quit Their New Year’s Resolutions by Quitters Day – and How to Beat the Odds
🎯 New Year’s Resolutions: Are You Still on Track?
As we approach March, let’s check in on something that feels like it happened just yesterday—New Year’s resolutions. How are yours going? If you’re like most people (including me), the answer might be, not well.
But here’s the good news: It’s not too late to restart. In today’s article, we’ll explore why most people quit their resolutions by Quitters Day and, more importantly, how you can beat the odds and stay on track with your goals.
🎉 A Surprise on My 50th Birthday: Discovering Quitters Day
This past year, I hit a milestone birthday—I turned 50 on January 10th. On the same day, an AARP membership offer arrived in my mailbox (great timing, right?). That evening, while enjoying a celebratory steak dinner, I stumbled upon an interesting fact: January 10th was also Quitters Day.
According to National Today, Quitters Day falls on the second Friday of January and highlights how many people struggle to maintain their New Year’s resolutions. Ironically, research shows that 80% of people have already given up on their resolutions by this point.
This got me thinking: Why do so many of us quit so quickly?
🚧 Why We Struggle with Resolutions
When people set resolutions, the most common ones include:
✅ Losing weight
✅ Exercising more
✅ Eating healthier
But one critical category often gets overlooked—financial resolutions. At the start of the year, people set goals like:
- Save more money
- Pay off debt
- Build an emergency fund
- Improve financial literacy
- Plan for retirement
- Hire a financial advisor
As someone who helps people make smart financial decisions, I see these goals all the time. But even with the best intentions, they often fall by the wayside.
🛑 Understanding Procrastination: Why Do We Avoid Our Goals?
Like many of you, I’ve struggled to stick to my goals. Sometimes I forget, sometimes I feel overwhelmed, and sometimes I avoid them altogether.
My coach, Stephanie Bogan of Limitless, offers a fresh perspective:
“Procrastination isn’t about laziness—it’s about avoidance. And usually, what we’re avoiding has a deeper root.”
This idea resonated with me. Procrastination isn’t a personal flaw—it’s a signal. It’s telling us to pay attention. But what are we avoiding?
Three Common Causes of Procrastination:
1️⃣ Uncertainty – Not knowing the right first step.
2️⃣ Perfectionism – Believing that if it can’t be perfect, it’s not worth starting.
3️⃣ Overwhelm – The task feels so big that it’s easier to scroll social media than take action.
By shifting our mindset, we can see procrastination not as failure but as an opportunity to change our approach.
✅ Turning Procrastination Into Progress: 3 Simple Strategies
So how do we move forward? Here are three practical strategies that help turn intentions into actions:
1️⃣ Start Small
Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them into tiny, manageable steps: ✔ Increase your 401(k) contribution by 1%.
✔ Open a new savings account.
✔ Cut up one unused credit card.
✔ Set up automatic transfers to savings.
Small wins build confidence and momentum!
2️⃣ Progress Over Perfection
Don’t get stuck thinking everything has to be perfect. Instead, focus on your Next Best Step (NBS). Ask yourself:
👉 What’s the next best thing I can do to move forward?
Then take that step—no overthinking needed!
3️⃣ Reconnect with Your Why
Why does this goal matter to you? Over time, it’s easy to lose sight of your original motivation.
🌟 Want to retire early?
🌟 Want financial freedom?
🌟 Want to take that dream vacation?
Write it down. Remind yourself daily.
📝 A Simple Sticky Note System for Success
Want a practical way to stay on track? Try this sticky note system:
1️⃣ Grab two sticky notes.
2️⃣ On the first one, write your goal (e.g., “Save $5,000 this year”).
3️⃣ On the second one, write your Next Best Step (e.g., “Transfer $100 to savings today”).
4️⃣ Stick them on your mirror—somewhere you’ll see them daily.
5️⃣ Replace the Next Best Step once you complete it.
This system keeps your goals top of mind and creates daily accountability.
🔄 Why Systems Matter More Than Goals
As James Clear writes in Atomic Habits:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
Goals give you direction—but systems create real change.
The sticky note system is just one example of how you can turn intentions into action and make steady progress toward financial success.
🚀 What’s Your Plan for 2025?
If financial goals are on your list this year, remember: You’re not alone. At Mission Point, we help people create systems that lead to financial success.
✅ Want to build a budget that allows guilt free spending knowing your future goals are secure?
✅ Need a tax clarity?
✅ Looking for expert financial guidance?
👉 What’s stopping you from reaching your goals? Let’s chat about how we can help you make 2025 your most successful financial year yet.