Experts chime in on most popular New Year’s resolutions

As the fresh year approaches, a sense of renewal and determination grips many individuals. During the holiday pause, numerous individuals put down in writing their personal development objectives for the coming year, in line with a custom dating back millennia, known as New Year's resolutions. Forbes Magazine's survey reveals that "Better Fitness" tops the list of people's New Year's resolutions. Local gym proprietor, Nick White, confirms this trend is robust and flourishing in Kingston. Since the post-Christmas period, 33 new subscriptions have been recorded at the F45 Training gym owned by White, who attests to the new year being one of the busiest periods for gym entry registrations, a consistent pattern observed year after year.

White comments, "People reach the conclusion of one year and resolve that the following one will be when they will assert personal control over their health and undertake improvements. Consequently, there's a New Year's resolution-induced surge." Forbes reports that "Improved Personal Finance" is the runner-up on the list of favourite resolutions. Chartered Financial Planner (CFP), Adam Jenkins of Stone City Wealth in Kingston, vouches that, similar to gyms, financial consultancies experience a rise in inquiries from people seeking to enhance their financial fitness from the onset of each new year.

"Retirement makes up a major portion of these enquiries, being my area of specialisation, and is about guiding clients to attain financial liberty," says Jenkins. In January, when those freshly motivated by their resolutions start streaming in for appointments, he spots ‘delayed action’ as a common pattern. He adds, "I can't count how many times people enter my office declaring they have a decade remaining before retirement and yet they're just beginning to plan. It's inappropriate timing. The ideal time would basically be the day before today."

The duo, specialists in their respective fields, unanimously suggest that realising one's New Year's resolutions, whether they're related to physical, financial or any other domain, fundamentally requires taking small, early steps.