One in five Brits regret waiting 2 years to act on their ambitions

Yet despite this, the average Brit waits two years before acting on their ambitions, leaving one in five (20%) wishing they had started sooner.

As people look to turn ambition into action, connectivity is playing an increasingly important role.

More than half (55%) say it’s now easier to find opportunities thanks to digital tools, while 42% believe improved connectivity has helped them achieve their goals.

Nearly half (49%) say they’re better placed to achieve their ambitions today than they were five or ten years ago.

Financial constraints (22%) emerged as the biggest barrier holding people back, with a lack of confidence (15%), lack of time (13%), fear of failure (12%) and limited access to resources or tools (9%) also preventing people from getting started.

A major life event often provides the push people need to pursue long-held ambitions. Among those who said a significant life event was their biggest catalyst, experiencing bereavement (27%), losing a job or being made redundant (25%) and becoming a parent (25%) were the most common triggers, according to the new research from Vodafone, which is helping people unlock opportunity through access to reliable connectivity and increased coverage. 

More broadly, other triggers include realising life is too short to keep waiting (26%), achieving greater financial stability (23%) and feeling more confident (22%). Receiving encouragement from others (12%) and access to technology and digital tools (10%) also help people make the leap. 

The findings, commissioned by Vodafone - the UK’s biggest network - also reveal that many of Britain’s biggest goals take shape in people’s twenties and thirties - a period often defined by major career and life decisions. The average Brit changes career at 32, starts a small business at 33, launches a side hustle at 34, moves abroad at 31, learns an instrument at 23 and typically learns a new skill at 29.

To help people turn ‘one day’ into today, Vodafone on the Nation’s Network opened the UK’s first Opportunity Hub in August - a space designed to provide visitors with the tools, tech, advice and connections needed to unlock opportunity.

The Opportunity Hub brought together leading voices for candid conversations about ambition, confidence and the moments that prompt people to rethink their path. Entrepreneur and broadcaster Rochelle Humes took to the stage with Vodafone brand ambassador Roman Kemp as moderator. Journalist, author and social advocate Anna Whitehouse, and executive coach and psychotherapist David Waters also gave talks in conversation with content creator and entrepreneur Jade Beason, while Enterprise Nation and Vodafone experts offered practical guidance throughout the day, helping attendees turn their ambitions into reality.         

The Opportunity Hub builds on VodafoneThree’s commitment to create the UK’s best network, backed by a fully funded £11bn investment to grow coverage, boost reliability and strengthen the digital future for the nation.

Just as The Opportunity Hub helps individuals unlock their potential, this nationwide investment will unlock growth, inspiration and digital confidence for millions across the UK, ensuring people have the connectivity they need to achieve whatever comes next.

If you’d like to find out more about VodafoneThree’s commitment to building the UK’s best network and how its £11bn investment is creating opportunity across the UK, visit the VodafoneThree website.

A Vodafone spokesperson says: “Britain isn't short of ambition. The challenge is turning ambition into action.

"Our research shows that connectivity is increasingly part of that equation, with nearly two-thirds of would-be founders saying unreliable connectivity has held them back from starting a business locally***.

"That's why we're investing in initiatives like The Opportunity Hub and our £11bn plan to build the UK's best network. Because when people have access to the right support and connectivity, they're better placed to seize new opportunities and achieve their goals."