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New year's survey results

Ah, new year's resolutions...do you set them in stone or set them aside? We polled Chatelaine reasers to gather the straight goods – how do you measure up?
Do you set new year's resolutions?
53%
yes, I set new year's resolutions
47%
no, I don't because...
n 3% For me, the real new year starts in September
n 4% I don't believe in them
n 5% I never stick to them
n 35% Sure, I have goals but I don't make them at a specific time of year
Top three things you'd change about your personality:
1
be more outgoing
2
be more patient
3
learn to say no
You also said you'd like to:
n "Stop gossiping about other people!"– Jennifer
n "Think first, speak next."– Liana
n "Have less road rage."– Debbie
n "Be less of an 'ice queen.'"– Mary-Anne
n "Be more charitable in my thoughts – being less cynical would be a good thing for me (can you say 'bitchy?')."– Kathy
n "Not be so sensitive. I cry at commercials!"– Laura
n "Not change anything. I like me. I'm not perfect, but it's taken me a long time to truly accept myself."– Melanie
The new year's resolutions you make most often: lose weight, get fit
The new year's resolutions you break most often: lose weight, get fit
Secrets of success
n Best way to boost your odds of succeeding at a goal, according to experts: keep track by writing it down or telling someone
n Percentage of women who don't write down or tell someone about their goals: 65
I measure my success by...
n "Asking myself, can I run longer, do my old pants fit, can I sleep better...yes! Yes! YES!"– Tania
n "Competing with my spouse!"– Lisa
She shoots, she scores!
Goals you're most proud of accomplishing:
1
Graduating from college or university
2
Slimming down
3
Giving birth
More proud achievements you couldn't resist telling us about (and we couldn't resist sharing):
n "Getting my driver's licence at 25."– Heather
n "I got a divorce."– Melody
n "I lost 30 pounds this past year on Weight Watchers. And I stayed single on purpose for more than a year!"– Muffy
n "Taking a modelling course at 56."– Patricia
The goal I'm glad I never reached:
n "To be married by 25."– Audra
n "Having lots of children. Three is plenty!"– Susan
n "Not having children."– Cora
I'm motivated by...
n "The promise of rewards, but not monetary rewards. It's more of a spiritual sense of satisfaction."– Jennifer
n "Showing my kids that they can reach their goals, too. It's hard to tell them to reach for the stars if you're not striving for them yourself!"– Trish
n "The fact that I can do anything if I just try. Otherwise, I would just sit there like a potato."– Tania

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