In addition,

the vast majority surveyed report that rather than dreading the list,

they actually feel a real sense of accomplishment in their lives when

they finally cross a completed item off the list.

Can it be that

the more you do around the house, the better you'll feel about yourself?

Ace Hardware Corporation pondered that theory when it commissioned "America's

To-Do List" Study of 1,000 American homeowners.

A whopping

75 percent of American homeowners maintain some sort of to-do list, either

a written or a mental list. And, many of these lists are lengthy. Remarkably,

one in 10 people have 10 tasks or more on their lists. Half have at least

three items they are planning to complete.

Sense of accomplishment

Whether to-do

list items are written or committed to memory, virtually everyone, 89

percent, agrees they feel gratified when projects are completed. People

under age 55 are more likely to feel a sense of accomplishment, although,

at the same time, feel a bit more pressure and stress when dealing with

home projects than their older counterparts.

"Using

a to-do list breaks down what could be viewed as overwhelming projects

into doable parts," said Dr. Martin Steigman, a Chicago clinical

psychologist and psychotherapist and professor at Northeastern Illinois

University. "And, as the person completes each task, he or she feels

good about it because it provides relief from the 'overwhelmed' feeling

and, therefore, is encouraged to try the next one."

This feeling

of accomplishment appears to have led many folks, 67 percent, to proudly

proclaim they are a "do-it-yourself" kind of person when it

comes to home improvement chores. And, 66 percent reported they try to

plan ahead for home projects to avoid emergencies.

"Most

people think of their homes as both an asset and a comfort zone,"

said Paula Erickson, consumer affairs manager for Ace Hardware. "They

want to ensure every home product works, so they plan ahead to either

head off potential problems or complete the projects that will enhance

the enjoyment of their homes."

This helps

explain why, according to Erickson, that more than one-third, 36 percent,

reported a task is placed on the to-do list because it is a preventive

maintenance chore. Another 41 percent said the to-do list mostly includes

things that wear out and need repair.

Four areas dominate

upcoming to-do's

Four home project

areas dominate Americans' to-do list activities, the study revealed.

Sixty-three

percent said they likely will reorganize storage areas in their homes.

Nearly an equal number, 62 percent, will enhance, improve or change something

in their yards. More than half will hang pictures or art (52 percent)

and paint the inside of the home (51 percent).

About a third

will tackle repairs such as fixing an item using glue or epoxy (39 percent),

replacing an electrical switch, outlet or light (36 percent), changing

or replacing a faucet or showerhead (36 percent), repairing walls or millwork

(34 percent) and repairing windows and screens (30 percent).

More than one-fourth

will paint their home's exterior (28 percent), change or replace a plumbing

fixture (26 percent), enhance their home's safety and security (25 percent)

and repair a driveway (25 percent).

No matter what

the project, nearly half agree it is important to have the latest tools

and equipment.

Getting the job done

People are

equally divided when asked about the longest period of time an item has

remained on their to-do list. One-third reported up to three months, another

third said three months to a year and another third more than a year.

Coincidentally, nearly a third admitted they procrastinate when it comes

to completing projects around the house.

"Human

beings are born procrastinators," added Dr. Steigman. "We just

need to discipline ourselves to focus on and complete tasks in a timely

manner."

"America's

To-Do List" Study, conducted by an independent research firm, surveyed

households in the continental United States.

More information

on Ace can be found at www.acehardware.com.

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