A survey of 2,000 adults has revealed that six in 10 Brits have postponed making improvements to their lives, citing that the 'effort just isn't worth it'. Over a quarter (28%) of these individuals have decided against starting a new fitness routine because it feels like too much of a time commitment, while 18% have delayed career changes or job applications, worried that the trouble would outweigh the return.
Home improvements delayed
When it comes to the home, many have postponed simple improvements that could have a significant impact, such as decluttering (42%), redecorating (41%), carrying out repairs (39%), or even getting a smart meter (10%). Others have not yet switched energy suppliers (19%), improved home insulation (13%), or opted for energy-efficient lightbulbs (9%), believing the hassle will outweigh the reward.
A quarter (25%) say they haven't tried something new because reviews left them doubtful about the outcome, and a fifth (20%) admit they've put things off simply because they assumed it would be too disruptive to fit into their routine.
Benefits experienced by those who acted
Among those who did eventually take the plunge, seven in 10 said they experienced benefits beyond what they initially expected, and more than six in 10 (64%) wish they had pushed through and acted sooner.
TV presenter Anna Richardson, who supports the research 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.”
Regret and energy management
The research also found that over half (56%) believe outdated information is preventing people from making improvements, and more than one in five (22%) say this has directly influenced their decisions. Nearly half (42%) regret putting off making improvements to their home or life.
Eating 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 hadn't put off. Of these, more than a third (36%) recognised the problem became worse over time, while 34% admitted it caused unnecessary stress.
Nearly half of adults (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. Because of this, 46% believe they may have paid more than they needed to, while 41% worry they have accidentally been wasting energy.
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.”
