In Utah We Make Resolutions, But Do We Keep Them?

Utahns are some of the most ambitious resolution makers in the United States, often leading the nation in both the number and enthusiasm of goals set as each year begins. According to recent data from Playstar, residents of Utah average about 2.3 New Year’s resolutions per person, a figure that tops the national rankings and reflects a strong cultural drive toward self-improvement. Many in the state embrace resolutions focused on fitness, financial health, and personal growth, with popular goals including going to the gym more, saving money or spending less, and learning new skills.

What Is The Likelihood Will Keep Our Resolutions?

Despite this enthusiasm for goal-setting, turning intentions into reality has proven more difficult for many Utahns. While about two-thirds of adults nationwide report making at least one New Year’s resolution, only a fraction maintain their commitments over time. National surveys suggest that roughly 39 percent of people planning resolutions for 2026 believe it is very likely they will stick with them throughout the year, and another half say it is somewhat likely. Only a small share, around 7 percent, feel unlikely to stay committed to their goals.

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In Utah specifically, the picture is more mixed. Fewer than four in ten residents report still following through on the resolutions they made as the year turns over, and nearly one-in-five admit they abandoned their resolutions within the first week. This places Utah outside the top states for actually keeping resolutions, even though its residents make more of them on average.

Experts say this pattern echoes national trends: making resolutions is easier than maintaining them, and long-term follow-through often requires behavior changes and habit formation rather than simply setting goals. While many Americans and Utahns alike begin the year with the best intentions, the reality of balancing life’s demands means that only a portion of these ambitions are realized as the months unfold.

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