Setting some achievable tasks can help with health, finance or personal goals
05:00, 01 Jan 2026
After the clock struck midnight on December 31, many people got straight to work on a New Year’s resolution to start the year off feeling accomplished. But if the traditional ones never seem to work for you, it might be time to try something else.
Instead of setting a goal that may fizzle out before February, people tend to opt for shorter challenges that last up to a month. It may not sound like a long time, but sticking with something for a few weeks helps build a healthy habit that may naturally continue throughout the year.
If classic challenges like quitting alcohol or giving up meat don’t line up with your long-term goals, then it might not be worth starting them. People may find it challenging to stick to these goals if they lack the underlying belief to stay motivated.
When you set a goal based on pressure from friends, family, or what is seen all over social media, rather than a genuine desire for change, it is likely to lead to frustration and the easy option of quitting. Instead, tailor the usual January challenges to meet something you personally want to achieve.
It may be a good time to start a cash-saving challenge after a particularly expensive Christmas. Perhaps you want to get fitter, expand your mind, or do something creative – we’ve got a little inspiration below for those in need of a January challenge.
Making small savings every day could build up a pot of cash worth nearly £500(Image: Getty)
Save £500 with a simple savings challenge
It’s predicted that Brits will splash out hundreds of pounds this Christmas on things like gifts, food and experiences. Millennials (aged 29-44) are expected to go all out this Christmas, with an average spend of £1,011 each according to Finder, so they may benefit most from a cash challenge in the New Year.
With 31 days in January, people may want to set aside a gradually increasing amount each day. Starting with £1 on January 1, increasing to £2 on January 2 and building up daily to January 31 with a final £31 deposit could help people save just short of £500
The traditional method involves putting the daily amount of physical cash into a jar or an envelope system. Alternatively, you can also transfer the amount to a separate savings account using your online banking account. The beauty of these savings incentives is that they can be completely tailored to your budget and goals.
Find your fitness passion – it might not be as simple as joining the gym(Image: Getty)
Find your passion for fitness
Fitness tends to be one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions made – especially after an indulgent Christmas. There are plenty of ways to improve your physical and mental health in just 31 days that don’t involve battling through crowds at the gym on New Year’s Day.
Simple habits become easier to maintain the more often you repeat a behaviour. Habits you genuinely want to adopt and find rewarding tend to form more quickly than those you feel forced to do.
Pick a form of exercise you will genuinely enjoy and not see as a chore to do. Set a goal to run a specific distance in January, walk or cycle a new route each day.
Branch out when cooking and try making something new(Image: Getty)
Work towards being better at eating and staying hydrated
Just as people may want to exercise more after a few heavy Christmas parties, they might also want to cut back on certain foods and drinks. However, instead of cutting back, why not use this as an excuse to try 31 new dishes? Make an effort to whip up a new breakfast or try a new cuisine when cooking dinner.
Hydration has become an important aspect that people focus on a lot. The NHS claims that most adults in the UK should aim for 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day (roughly two litres).
To establish a healthy habit of meeting your hydration goal, create a chart and track your daily progress. You can do this with a group of people, turning it into a healthy competition that keeps each other accountable and on track.
There are lots of hobbies that help creative people find an outlet, from painting to crafting(Image: Getty)
Make progress with a new hobby
With the weather still expected to be bitter in January, it presents a perfect opportunity to take up a new hobby or rekindle an old one. Bookworms may want to try reading 31 different books throughout January, exploring various genres and authors along the way.
Channel any new bits of inspiration into something creative with an artistic outlet, such as painting, drawing, scrapbooking, journaling, knitting, crocheting, jewellery making, and more. Instead of focusing on just one, maybe try something new throughout January until you find your spark.
If you want to expand your mind, it might be worth trying to pick up a new language in January with the help of apps like Duolingo, Rosetta Stone or Babbel. Practise every day, and you could end up developing a lifelong skill.
