2007 New Year's Resolutions Show Trends in Home Improvement, Personal Growth

December 12, 2007; 03:29 AM

Scottsdale, AZ —--— myGoals.com today announced its annual predictions describing what types of resolutions people are expected to make during the coming New Year's season.

myGoals.com, the Web's premiere site for setting and reaching personal and professional goals, bases its predictions on the current year's third quarter goal-setting activity. According to an anonymous, random sample of goals people have set at the site, this year's New Year's resolutions are expected to break down as follows:

New Year's Resolutions                    2006      2007*    % Change
--------------------------------------------------------------
Health & Fitness                                   31%       27%            -4
Personal Growth & Interests                10            15             +5
Personal Finance                                   15            15              0
Career                                                     15            12             -3
Education & Training                              9              9              0
Home Improvement & Real Estate          5             7             +2
Time Management & Organization          8             6             -2
Family & Relationships                          5             5              0
Recreation & Leisure                                2             5             +3
--------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              100%      101%**

* Projected
** Does not equal 100% due to rounding 100% 

(View Graphic at http://www.mygoals.com/about/pressRelease014.html )

People Opting to Work on Their Homes and Themselves

"In 2007, people are going to spend a lot of time working on improving their homes and themselves," said Greg Helmstetter, CEO of myGoals.com. While health and fitness are always the most common category of goals tracked by myGoals.com, the past year has shown a decrease in that category's popularity, back down to normal levels after a two-year jump above normal. Categories showing increased interest this year are home improvement and personal growth.

"People are a little less concerned about job security, their waistlines, or buying a house. Instead, they're seeking ways to make themselves feel fulfilled and happy," said Helmstetter. "This is good news. When personal growth becomes a priority, it means that people are confident that their lower-level, basic priorities such as finances and health are under control." This New Year's, 15% of all resolutions are expected to relate to Personal Growth and Interests, up from 10% last year. This category comprises a wide range of goals, including improving one's mental outlook, appearance, social skills, spirituality, and spending time doing things such as reading, writing, and participating in one's community.

Improving Homes Instead of Buying Them

Another notable shift is a decrease in goals related to buying real estate such as homes, second homes, and investment properties. This trend is offset by a corresponding increase in goals related to home improvement. "It's just like the what the economists tell us," said Helmstetter. "When people stop buying houses, they concentrate on improving the house they've already got." Last year, 30% of all real estate-related goals were to buy a home, whereas 45% were to improve a home. This year, only 9% of real estate goals will relate to buying a home, whereas a massive 64% will involve improving a home.

While home improvement is often a form of financial investment, as a goal category, it includes some benefits that are not unlike those seen in goals related to personal growth. "Improving your home — whether you do it with your own two hands or hire professionals — can be an extremely challenging and rewarding experience," says Helmstetter. "It's a very creative process, always involves learning, and results in happiness and other tangible benefits that will surround you every day for years to come. All in all, putting money, hard work, and love into your home is not only good for the home, it's good for the family and good for the soul."

At http://www.mygoals.com/about/pressRelease014.html, see also:

Tips for making good New Year's Resolutions
The Most Popular Resolutions for 2007
Breakdown of Resolutions by Category
Our Methodology

About myGoals.com, Inc.

myGoals.com is the Web's premier site for setting, managing, and reaching personal and professional goals. Individuals can set as many goals as they like, creating custom GoalPlans from scratch or selecting from a library of pre-made GoalPlans that contain expert advice for accomplishing the goal. myGoals.com then sends email reminders to keep the individual on track, until the goal is accomplished. This subscription-based service is free to trial for 10 days. Gift certificates available.