Six in 10 Brits have put off making improvements to their homes, careers and lives because they feel the 'effort just isn't worth it'. A poll of 2,000 adults found over a quarter (28%) of these have decided against starting a new fitness routine because it feels like too much of a time commitment.
Career and home improvements delayed
Another 18% have even put off career changes or applying for a new job altogether, worried it would be too much trouble for not enough return. When it comes to the home, many have delayed making simple improvements, such as decluttering (42%), redecorating (41%), carrying out repairs (39%) or even getting a smart meter (10%).
Others have avoided swapping energy suppliers (19%), not improved their home insulation (13%) or stayed away from energy-efficient lightbulbs (9%), because they believe the hassle will outweigh the reward.
Reasons for putting things off
A quarter (25%) say that trying something new has been put on hold because reviews left them doubtful about the outcome. Another fifth (20%) admit they've put things off simply because they assumed it would be too disruptive to fit into their routine.
Yet among those who did eventually take the plunge, 70% said they experienced more benefits than they thought they would, while 64% wish they had ignored their assumptions and acted sooner.
Expert backing and regret
TV presenter Anna Richardson, who is backing the research which was commissioned by Smart Energy GB, said: "We've all done it, decided something's going to be a faff before we've even given it a go, then let it drag on for months, sometimes years.
"But honestly, more often than not, once you've taken that first step it's much easier and more rewarding than you'd imagined. You get your time back, stop carrying that nagging thought around with you, and often find yourself wishing you'd done it sooner.
"Smart meters are a great example of something that some people put off getting, when in reality they can be quick to get installed and easy to use, helping households better understand their energy use and save money."
The research went on to find that over half (56%) believe outdated information is a key factor preventing people from making improvements in their lives. And 22% revealed this has directly influenced their decision about whether to make a change or not.
This may explain why nearly half (42%) regret putting off making an improvement to their home or life. Eating more healthily (31%), reaching out to people they hadn't spoken to for a while (26%) and tackling life admin (20%) are among the top things people wish they had done sooner.
Of these, 36% recognised the problem became worse over time as a result, while 34% admitted it caused unnecessary stress.
In fact, 45% regret not taking better steps to manage their energy use at home, suggesting many households wish they had acted sooner, the survey conducted by OnePoll.com found.
As a result, nearly half (46% believe) they may have paid more than they needed to, while 41% worry they could have wasted energy without realising.
Smart Energy GB response
A spokesperson for Smart Energy GB said: "The research highlights how easy it can be to put off changes that could make a positive difference in our daily lives.
"While seven in 10 households now have a smart meter, some people haven't yet taken up the offer of an installation.
"Four in five smart meter owners are already happy with their smart meter, and recent technical fixes and new industry standards introduced in 2026 are helping improve the experience for customers even further.
"Smart meters can help households save money on their energy bills, feel more in control of what they're spending and put an end to estimated bills."
Anna Richardson's tips
Anna Richardson's top tips on how to start small tasks you've been putting off:
- If you've got five spare minutes, just start the task rather than thinking about finishing it, because getting started is often the hardest part.
- Instead of seeing a job as one huge task, break it into small, manageable steps so it feels much easier to tackle.
- If you're already up and doing something nearby, use the momentum to tick off a similar task while you're at it.
- Remember that sense of relief and satisfaction you feel once a job is done, because it can be a great motivator to get started.
- Use technology to take repetitive tasks off your plate - for example, a smart meter automatically sends meter readings for you, so it's one less thing to remember.
