TikTok’s “Great Lock In” trend isn’t what you think: The productivity hack you didn’t know you needed
As 2025 winds down, TikTok users are embracing a new viral challenge for the final months of the year.
Forget ‘hot girl walks’ and ‘no-spend months.’ The latest TikTok craze that’s taking over feeds is something quieter but surprisingly powerful. Called ‘The Great Lock In,’ it’s a viral end-of-year challenge that asks users to dedicate the final four months of 2025 to locking in on personal goals – financial, physical, or emotional – before the new year hits.
@steven The great lock in starts now. 90 days to change everything. You need to stop relying on motivation and commit to unshakable discipline. Motivation fades, but discipline is what carries you through. The next 90 days are about consistency, momentum, and showing up every single day, no matter how you feel. This is where real transformation begins. What will you commit to for the next 90 days? #discipline #motivation #growth #business #mindset
♬ original sound - The Diary Of A CEO
New Year’s resolutions to autumn reboots
Unlike January’s burst of resolutions that often fade by spring, ‘The Great Lock In’ functions more like a focused sprint. There are no rigid rules, just the mindset of tightening focus from September to December. “It’s like New Year’s resolutions’ little sister,” said financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, who runs the Mind Money Balance podcast, via AP. “People like it because it’s short-term, practical, and feels doable.”
Turning TikTok trends into real financial wins
Experts say the trend’s strength lies in its flexibility. Participants can set goals that fit their own lifestyle, whether that’s paying off a credit card or mastering meal prep. One compared it to doing a 5K run rather than a marathon.
@kadieglenn Since everyone is doubling down on the great lock in, here’s a how to on building self-trust brick by brick: ✅ Start with credible commitments (small > sustainable > scalable) ✅ Track visible wins daily (proof > belief > identity) ✅ Never miss twice (bounce back > shame loop) ✅ Create friction & flow (design your environment for success) It’s not about overhauling your life overnight. It’s about stacking evidence that you are that girl, one consistent win at a time. #greatlockin #thegreatlockin #lockin #winterarc #winterarcchallenge
♬ original sound - kadieglenn
Personal finance educator Ben Markley, host of Sketchy Advice by YNAB, agrees that the goal is to build habits, not chase perfection. “Find systems that last beyond the challenge,” he said, suggesting that budgeting apps or habit-tracking tools can help momentum carry into 2026.
A social sprint, not a competition
Much of ‘The Great Lock In’ thrives on community. Mercedes posts updates to TikTok, where accountability – and curiosity – drive engagement. “Seeing people keep up with my journey motivates me,” she said.
Still, experts warn against burnout. “If this doesn’t work for you, that’s OK,” Markley said. “There are other ways to build stability without turning life into a challenge.”
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