The start of a new year often marks a time for change and opportunity to achieve goals with many choosing to make resolutions for the months ahead.

And while it may not be for everybody, it seems a lot of Aussies are choosing to do so with new research revealing 79 per cent of people have committed to a New Year’s resolutions for 2020.

The data, compiled by top comparison site Finder, has ranked the 10 most popular goals for the year ahead with diet and health the main priorities for Australians. More than half (53 per cent) of those surveyed want to lose weight or ramp up their fitness regime, while 46 per cent will strive to improve their diet.

Meanwhile, travel is a big priority for more than a third (35 per cent) of Aussies, and almost a quarter (22 per cent) have vowed to get out of debt.

Although some resolutions end up going own the drain with buckets of fatty food and alcohol devoured in the first few days of the new year, according to Kate Browne, personal finance expert at Finder, January is still the perfect time to hit reset on old habits.

She said as long as your goals are realistic, then there is every chance you could achieve them in the coming 12 months.

“Some of us will go in all guns blazing, with plans to drop 10 kilograms or travel the world for a year, but this can sometimes be unrealistic,” Browne said.

“Instead, try and make smaller, more achievable commitments. Sometimes it’s the most basic changes that will have the biggest impact in the long run.”

As well as health and fitness, self-improvement is another area where Aussies are hoping to make progress over the new year. A total of 19 per cent say they want to get more sleep, while 17 per cent want to achieve a better work-life balance.

On the other hand, 10 per cent want to find love, 9 per cent want to take more risks, 9 per cent want to quit or reduce smoking, and 8 per cent plan to volunteer their time. 

Whatever it is you choose to set down as a goal for 2020, Browne said not to be too hard on yourself if it takes a little longer to achieve – after all Rome wasn’t built in a day.

“Starting a successful business or paying off the mortgage takes time,” she said. “Ambitious goals like these will rarely be accomplished in a year.

“Create smaller milestones or targets to reach every few months. This will help you stay focussed and prevent resolution burnout. Think of your grand plan as a marathon, not a sprint.”