Around 60 per cent of people in Britain have delayed making changes to their properties, professional paths and personal circumstances because they feel the required exertion does not justify the outcome.
Research involving 2,000 grown-ups discovered that more than a quarter of respondents had chosen not to begin a new exercise programme because they considered it too demanding timewise.
A further 18 per cent had postponed altering their careers or submitting applications for different positions, believing the inconvenience would outweigh any gains.
Regarding domestic matters, many had postponed basic upgrades such as clearing out clutter (42 per cent), giving rooms a fresh coat of paint (41 per cent), fixing maintenance issues (39 per cent) or even arranging for a smart meter (10 per cent).
Some had not changed their gas and electricity provider (19 per cent), added insulation to their property (13 per cent) or chosen eco-friendly bulbs (nine per cent), assuming the hassle would eclipse any benefit.
One quarter (25 per cent) stated that attempting something unfamiliar had been shelved because other people’s assessments made them uncertain about the result.
Meanwhile, a fifth (20 per cent) acknowledged delaying actions purely because they presumed these would prove too impractical to accommodate within their existing schedules.
However, among those who ultimately decided to proceed, 70 per cent reported experiencing advantages that surpassed their initial expectations, and 64 per cent expressed regret at not having disregarded their preconceptions and acted earlier.
Television presenter Anna Richardson, who is supporting the study commissioned by Smart Energy GB, stated that everyone has been guilty of deciding something would prove troublesome before even attempting it, then allowing months or even years to pass.
She noted that more frequently than expected, once that initial move has been made the process tends to be considerably simpler and more satisfying than anticipated. People recover time they had lost, cease dwelling on the persistent nagging thought, and frequently find themselves wishing they had begun sooner.
She cited smart meters as an illustration of something many individuals postpone obtaining, despite these devices being relatively straightforward to set up and user-friendly, enabling households to monitor their energy consumption more effectively and reduce their bills.
The investigation further revealed that over half (56 per cent) consider obsolete information to be a significant barrier preventing individuals from implementing beneficial changes.
Additionally, 22 per cent acknowledged that this had directly shaped their choices regarding whether to proceed with alterations.
This may account for why close to half (42 per cent) feel disappointed about having postponed enhancing their home or lifestyle.
Adopting healthier eating habits (31 per cent), reconnecting with acquaintances they had lost contact with (26 per cent) and dealing with administrative tasks (20 per cent) featured prominently among the actions people wished they had prioritised earlier.
Of those surveyed, 36 per cent acknowledged that the situation deteriorated as time passed, while 34 per cent admitted it generated avoidable tension.
In fact, 45 per cent regret failing to take more effective measures regarding their household energy consumption, implying numerous homes wished they had acted with greater urgency, according to the survey carried out by OnePoll.com.
Consequently, 46 per cent believe they may have incurred higher expenses than necessary, while 41 per cent are concerned they may have squandered energy without being aware.
A representative for Smart Energy GB observed that the findings demonstrate how straightforward it can be to defer modifications that could bring meaningful improvements to everyday existence.
Although seven in ten homes now possess a smart meter, certain individuals have yet to accept an installation appointment.
Four out of five owners of smart meters report satisfaction with their device, and recent technical improvements alongside fresh sector regulations implemented in 2026 are enhancing the customer experience even further.
Smart meters can assist households in lowering their energy expenditure, providing greater oversight of spending and eliminating estimated billing.