FOR many, New Year’s Eve marks the end of a chapter which grants a wonderful opportunity to start afresh with renewed motivation to set and achieve goals.

While looking back on the year that was, people often look ahead to what they want to achieve, inspiring them to set New Year’s resolutions.

Invariably, the most common New Year’s resolution made is to improve personal fitness and nutrition, closely followed by focusing on making financial goals such as saving or investing.

With Monday marking the start of 2024, The Spectator hit the streets of Hamilton to conduct a quick straw poll to hear what local residents had their sights set on achieving in the new year.

At least 50 per cent said it was worth making a resolution, while the other half said they didn’t usually bother.

In keeping with the national trend, getting fitter and self-improvement remained the top picks.

“I’m just looking to survive,” said one.

“It’s not really worth it – I don’t usually bother making one that I can’t or won’t keep,” said another.

“I’m definitely committing to self-education – reading tonnes of books – listening to experts – planning to make a lot of money – getting insanely fit,” said yet another.

While Wannon MP Dan Tehan made fresh New Year’s resolutions and said he was aiming to swim or run five times a week and read at least one book a month.