Mark Twain is reported to have said that “quitting smoking is easy—I’ve done it a hundred times.” In reality, it is not easy to give up smoking, or to adhere to any New Year’s resolution that requires a change in behaviour—whether it is to smoke less, exercise more, eat the right foods, or get enough sleep.

The good news—as outlined in this edition of InnovationCanada.ca - is that it may be easier to smoke less by exercising more. That is, two complementary New Year’s resolutions may be better than one. Similarly, the combination of eating the right foods and even modest levels of exercise can produce benefits beyond what would have been expected.

So the key to success in changing behaviour may not be in making a New Year’s resolution—but rather in making two!

I therefore invite you to read the stories in this edition of InnovationCanada.ca and to learn more about research studies in Canada that are helping us understand the “science” of the New Year’s resolution. I also wish you success in achieving your particular goals for 2008. Keep in mind that if you are already finding it difficult to stick to your New Year’s resolution, try making a second, and your chances of success just might improve!