Day-Timer 2006 New Year's Resolution Survey Conducted by Opinion Research Corporation
Allentown, PA December 26, 2006 – More than 80% of U.S. adults, 18 years and older, have made and kept one or more New Year'sresolutions in the past five years, according to a telephone study conducted by Opinion Research Corporation and sponsored by Day-Timer in December 2006. Fifteen percent of U.S. adults do not make resolutions. Respondents successfully achieved New Year's resolutions in three broad categories: health-related resolutions, finance-related resolutions, and time management and work/life balance-related resolutions.
**Health-Related Resolutions included:
Eating healthier - 55% succeeded
Increasing exercise - 51% succeeded
Losing weight - 39% succeeded
Reducing stress - 39% succeeded
Taking a vacation - 37% succeeded
Cutting down on alcohol consumption - 23% succeeded
Stopping smoking - 15% succeeded
**Finance-Related Resolutions included:
Paying off debts - 45% succeeded
Saving more money - 43% succeeded
Getting a new job - 20% succeeded
**Time Management and Work/Life Balance Resolutions included:
Spending more time with family - 50% succeeded
Getting organized - 45% succeeded
Enjoying more leisure time - 43% succeeded
Volunteering - 36% succeeded
Working less - 19% succeeded
"More than 50% of the respondents were able to eat healthier, increase exercise or spend more time with their family in the past five years. Forty-five percent found a way to get more organized and pay off debts, while 43% were able to enjoy more leisure time and save more money," said Maria Woytek, Day-Timer life management expert. Respondents had much more difficulty with stopping smoking (only 15% were able to do so), working less (only 19% were able to do so), and cutting down on alcohol consumption (only 23% were able to do so).
When asked what helped them to be successful in keeping their New Year's resolutions, most respondents used a number of internal motivators, external support, and external aids to help them succeed. These included:
**Internal Motivators
86% noted determination to make it, even when it got hard
76% made a commitment for the long haul
76% accepted setbacks and got back on track
71% found that visualization was an aid to success
59% rewarded themselves for success
**External Support
57% told other people
39% asked for help and didn't do it alone
27% were accountable to others, i.e. friend, coach, dietician, therapist, support group
**External Aides
44% set up reminders
40% created a step-by-step plan
38% wrote it down
"Initially, we were surprised with the results. Contrary to popular opinion, many Americans have successfully made and kept New Year's resolutions in the past five years. The DayTimer survey showed that internal thought processes, or motivators, combined with external aids and support created a powerful force that helped people
achieve their goals," Woytek remarked.
The 2006 Day-Timer New Year's Resolution Survey was conducted via telephone by Opinion Research Corporation on December 15 - 18, 2006 as part of an omnibus study. A total of 1,031 adults in the continental U.S. , including 516 men and 515 women 18 years and older, participated in the survey. The interviews were weighted by four variables: age, sex, geographic region, and race to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total population. The data was also cross-tabulated by sex, age, region, race, household income, household size, children in household, and education. The survey has a 95% confidence level.
Day-Timer, a subsidiary of ACCO Brands (NYSE: ABD), is the leading company providing time management solutions and organization tools. Established in 1947, Day-Timer is the original American company offering hundreds of organization and time-management tools that help simplify life's demands. The DayTimer line of luxury leather planner covers, portfolios, handbags and totes can be found at www.daytimer.com or by calling 1-800-225-5505. The DayTimer line of calendars and planners can be found at www.daytimers.com as well as at Staples, Office Depot, and other major office supply retailers.
