Every January, the world seems full of hope and good intentions. People promise themselves they’ll eat better, save more, exercise regularly, or simply get more organised. And yet, by February, most of those resolutions are quietly abandoned. The gym is emptier, the salad bowl forgotten, the savings plan stalled. It’s not because people don’t care. It’s because goals without structure, feedback, and immediate relevance are hard to keep.
the problem with resolutions
That lesson: why resolutions fail, is surprisingly useful for children to learn early in life. Kids may not be setting New Year’s resolutions in the adult sense, but they encounter the same challenges whenever they try to stick to a new habit, finish a project, or save for something they want. Helping them understand the mechanics behind goal setting can equip them with skills that last a lifetime.
Why do New Year resolutions fail so often? There are a few common reasons:
1. the goal is vague
“I want to eat healthier” or “I’ll save money” sounds great on January 1st, but what does it actually mean? Without specifics, it’s hard to know when you’ve succeeded, and even harder to take consistent steps toward progress.
2. progress isn't visible
Humans are wired to respond to feedback. If you’re trying to eat better but never track meals or improvements, the effort feels invisible. Without seeing progress, motivation dwindles.
3. the reward feels too far away
Long-term rewards can feel abstract. Saving for retirement or losing 5 stones might be a noble goal, but the payoff is months or years away. Immediate gratification is what humans, especially children naturally respond to.
Kids experience these challenges even more strongly than adults. A vague goal or distant reward can feel impossible when your world is smaller and your patience is still developing!
what works instead?
The good news is that small, structured approaches can work wonders for both adults and kids alike. Kids thrive when goals are:
- Specific
Rather than “save money,” aim for “save £20 to buy a new game.” Clear targets give kids something concrete to work toward. - Progress is visible
Charts, jars of coins, or a simple checklist allow kids to see incremental achievements. Every step becomes a small win, reinforcing the habit and building confidence.
- Waiting has a purpose
Patience is easier to develop when there’s a tangible reward at the end of the effort. Waiting for a trip, a gift, or a special treat teaches that good things come to those who plan, persist, and pace themselves.
These principles aren’t just about money; they can apply to learning a new skill, improving at a sport, or finishing a school project. The key is to make the process concrete, trackable, and meaningful.
final thoughts
New Year resolutions fail not just because of a lack of motivation. They fail mainly due to vague intentions, invisible progress, and distant rewards don’t align with how we naturally learn and stay motivated.
For kids, understanding this early is invaluable. Concrete goals, visible progress, and purposeful waiting teach patience, persistence, and self-control. A simple experiment, like setting one saving goal for Q1, can turn an abstract lesson into a memorable, hands-on experience.
The most important skill kids can develop isn’t just saving money or completing tasks; it’s learning that effort, consistency, and patience are what create results. Once they grasp that, they’ll carry it with them into every area of life.