Top everyday goals Brits set themselves - from eating healthier to less screen time

The top 40 “everyday goals” Brits set themselves include being more positive about life, moaning less – and cutting down on screen time.

Research of 2,000 adults revealed staying off social media has been advocated by nearly a quarter, stating they want to spend less time online.

With Brits often having a reputation for being unfriendly, 23 percent set themselves the daily goal of being nice to other people, and one in five want to be kinder to their other half.

And 19 percent want to cut down on the weekly booze as a challenge.

Despite setting such goals, only 10 percent complete any each day, with 37 percent acknowledging they give up on their goals after just a couple of days.

The research, carried out by protein snack brand Jack Link’s, also found 24 percent intend to follow a diet, with 19 percent stripping out the weekly takeaways.

Wellbeing expert and coach, Miriam Akhtar, suggests there are many advantages to setting small targets to aim for every day, giving people the extra motivation to spring out of bed each morning.

Miriam said: “People set daily tasks in an attempt to make the most out of every day and feel like they’re making progress with their lives.

“As winter is looming, achieving these tasks can feel more tricky than normal as the urge to hibernate grows, but we need to cut ourselves some slack after the tough year we’ve had and aim for progress rather than perfection.

“You could try “gamifying” the tasks on your list, treating them like a video game and increasing the challenge each time to get new high scores and achieve your personal best.

“This could mean aiming to beat your previous time running a certain distance, striving to achieve more each time.

“It is important to make sure your tasks are manageable and to break down bigger goals, like starting your own business, into smaller steps, so that you get a sense of satisfaction from achieving the everyday tasks, which put you on track to reach the bigger goal.”

Other small goals Brits try and tick off on a daily basis include going a whole day without eating cake (15 percent), folding clothes properly instead of shoving them in drawers (21 percent) and going to bed early (35 percent).

Many are also setting fitness-related goals such as going to the gym (17 percent), heading outside for a long walk (37 percent), or even trying to take part in a team sport (10 percent).

However, of their everyday goals that are set, those polled estimate they achieve an average of just 45 percent of them each day.

It also emerged 83 percent believe it’s important to set goals on a daily basis, with 28 percent claiming it’s “very important” to them.

However, almost a fifth (16 percent) admit they’ve given up on their little targets as early as lunchtime each day.

For 31 percent, this comes as a result of setting the bar too high so they don’t tend to achieve their everyday goals.

But 18 percent of those polled via OnePoll feel the opposite – that the challenges they set themselves are too easy, so there’s little pride in accomplishing them.

Over half (55 percent) of respondents use food to energise and motivate themselves to achieve a goal, with six in ten of those using it as a reward if they manage to stay on target, while 44 percent use it for an energy boost if their goal involves exercise.

Inka Weber, spokeswoman for Jack Link’s added: “It’s hard to do anything in life properly if you haven’t fuelled yourself well to begin with.

“The results found lots of people’s daily goals regard their health in some way – whether that’s their diet, hitting the gym more often or driving less.

“Our snacks can be great in assisting people achieve their goals whether big or small offering a low calorie, high protein snack to fuel you during the day.”

Jack Link’s are giving Brits a chance to win a month’s supply of beef jerky to help power through their goals, by entering the competition on its Instagram page, @JackLinksUK.

BRITS’ TOP 40 EVERYDAY GOALS:

Drink more water
Eat healthier
Save money in general
Clean the house
Go for a long walk
Don't buy unnecessary things you don't need
Be more positive
Go to bed early
Any form of household chore
Be more organised with life in general
Cook a healthy meal instead of getting a takeaway
Strip the bed and wash it
Wake up earlier
Moan less
Follow a diet
Empty the bin as soon as it is full instead of cramming more into it
Be nicer to people
Take the stairs instead of the lift
Read a certain amount of a book
Fold clothes properly and put them away instead of shoving them in a drawer
Finish work on time
Spend less time on social media
Don't go on your phone as much
Be more polite/nicer to people
Be nicer to your other half
Don't get a takeaway
Don't drink alcohol
Go for a walk outdoors during work hours
Stop scrolling on your phone after a certain time
Complete a Sudoku/crossword/puzzle of some kind
Go for a run
Go to the gym
Spend more time with the kids/dog/cat
Dress a bit smarter (instead of opting for comfort)
Drink less coffee
Go a whole day without eating some cake
Don't snooze your alarm
Take public transport instead of driving
Drink more green tea
Iron your clothes for work