Torontonians make New Year’s resolutions
Posted December 31, 2012 2:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
New Year’s is a time for celebration and reflection with many people vowing to give up bad habits and live better lives.
For those who don’t think they can make a New Year’s resolution stick, Toronto’s Dr. Mike Evans provides an optimistic outlook on resolution making and celebrating small victories when it comes to quitting smoking, losing weight or eating better.
He cites research conducted by clinical psychologist Dr. John Norcross of the University of Scranton on New Year’s behaviour that shows nearly half of people who set out to make positive changes remained successful six months later.
“Many of us, when we think of successful change, we often think of big goals and use terms like motivation, will power and self-control. You have these attributes if you’re successful and if you don’t you’ll fail,” he says in a YouTube video.
“Well I kind of see the reverse. I see success linked with small goals and small wins. I see more facilitation than motivation, more self monitoring than self control. Will power isn’t static.”
CityNews hit the street Monday to find out what changes Torontonians plan to make in 2013.
“I hope to be a better person. Love the environment and do what I can for the city,” one woman said.
Another man said his 2013 quest is to butt out for good.
“Stop smoking cigarettes and be kind to people and always help the poor and hungry,” he said.
