Study Shows American Willpower Gets Better With Age

Struggling already to keep the resolutions? There's good news -- your willpower gets better with age. That's the conclusion of a recent study of 2,000 Americans that looked at how quickly people tend to give up on their goals and new hobbies.

The study, conducted by market researchers OnePoll on behalf of PowerBar to kick off its Clean Start campaign, found millennials are most likely to struggle when committing to a particular goal.

And while millennials will try their hand at more things overall, they're also much less likely to stick with them. On the other hand, the over 55's were most likely to rate their willpower as strong or very strong, and also quit the least number of commitments of all age groups studied.

From promising to take cooking classes and learn new recipes, to trying to spend less time online or eat healthier -- the average respondent studied tried and failed to maintain 70 percent of the new activities or behaviors they began in 2016.

In fact, the average American quit five things last year -- from gym classes or exercise routines to new diets, classes or hobbies that they set out to try.

It's worth noting that the majority of resolutions and targets for the New Year were already dropped by mid-January. The average resolution fails within three weeks, according to the data -- just in time for "Ditch Your New Year's Resolutions Day" on January 17th.

"As the survey shows, many of us struggle with commitment and goal setting especially at the beginning of the year. The good news is that every day presents an opportunity for a fresh start," said Doug Cornille, Premier Nutrition Vice President of Marketing. "Since January 17th is known as Ditch Your New Year's Resolution day, this is the time for us all to begin our clean start and re-commit to reaching our goals for the new year."

"Whether promising to take a walk each morning, play basketball weekly or train for a half marathon with friends, the PowerBar Clean Start campaign provides the motivation needed to make better decisions and recommit to improvement, especially through the joy of sport."

With so many people reporting that they failed to keep up with last year's goals, 66 percent of the survey respondents said they're in need of a clean start.

Again, age prevails in terms of keeping to resolutions longer, with people aged 55 years or older lasting longer at 16 days, while people under the age of 25 scrapped theirs far quicker on average failing after just 12 days.

And sometimes this lack of commitment can be expensive -- the average respondent spent $300 pursuing a hobby or new challenge last year that didn't actually work out.

The study of commitment and goal setting found people do have good intentions, and 64 percent are more determined to make 2017 a productive year after 2016 didn't play out as hoped. Over half of the survey respondents said fitness and diet goals are the most difficult goals and resolutions to keep -- even more than finance and relationship goals.

And it doesn't take long for most people to realize if something is for them or not: a quarter of Americans aren't ashamed to admit they don't have much willpower. One in six instantly quits when they realize something isn't as fun as they originally thought, and 37 percent quit inside the first week of trying.

A lack of money and low willpower are most likely to derail a new goal according to Americans -- followed by a general lack of energy, focus and time. Perhaps that's why the average person is aiming for fewer goals this year -- setting just two goals for themselves this year so far. And although most people want to improve their health and fitness, nearly half of respondents say they aim to improve their general happiness in the coming months.

Top 20 aims for 2017:

Lose weight/get healthier
Save more money
De-clutter the house
Travel more and try new things
Spend more time with family
Stop complaining as much
Read more books
Take a walk every morning
Better work life balance
Make a career change
Do something for charity
Try a new hairstyle
Less TV time
Less time on social media
Re-decorate
Spend less time on my phone
Totally revamp my wardrobe
Get a pet
Start my own business
Learn how to cook