下面是今天的《环球时报（英文版）》对我的采访，关于新年愿望的话题！链接为

         http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/693646/In-season-resolutions.aspx

       In China, the Spring Festival is when people call an end to one year and look forward to a fresh start. Unlike in many other countries, where January 1 marks the new calendar, this is the time of year during which Chinese make their resolutions for the coming year, hoping to make choices that will improve their lives.

      The Chinese newspaper Life Times has just released the top 10 resolutions from a survey of over 10,000 people on the Internet, showing that family and career are the top concerns for the Chinese.

       As opposed to popular resolutions in the West, such as losing weight and quitting smoking, the top items from the results include helping parents to stay healthy, getting a better job and eating safe food.

        According to Shi Yu, a psychologist with the Armed Police General Hospital, the difference in focus for resolutions East and West has much to do with cultural differences and environment.

        "I feel that Westerners' resolutions are usually more personal and self-focused," she told the Global Times. "Chinese people are facing a lot of pressure and everyday challenges, such as rising housing prices and worrying about food safety, so their resolutions tend to be more practical."

        Whether the resolution is personal or practical, it is important to plan well and make sure you have the ability and motivation to fulfill your resolutions.

       "Keeping the resolutions in chart is like pushing a toy train; one push is not enough to keep the train going," she explained, using her favorite example. "You have to give it a push regularly."

        She herself keeps her long-term plans in mind and breaks them down into small steps, giving each phase in the process a deadline.

       "I write smaller tasks on sticky notes and put them on the wall. When I get to take them down, I feel fantastic," she said. "If some plans fail, you have to find out why. Many people only focus on making tomorrow better, but it is also important to reflect on the past."

      The psychologist had a plan to finish her first book on making friends last year, but between writing academic papers, appearing on TV shows and enjoying her own hobbies, she lost focus, and had to start over again this year.

     "Maybe I will visit bookstores more often and remind myself how much I want my book to be on that shelf." 

        Most of us have trouble keeping our resolutions; it is much easier to fail in the first few weeks or even days than remain diligent all year round. But maybe we should also consider that sometimes our resolutions set us up for failure. Choosing a resolution that truly motivates you can be a good first step.

         "Make a resolution because you want it, not because other people are doing it," she said. "Learn about tea because you love it, not because other people tell you drinking tea improves a person's taste."

        "Also, avoid making resolutions that have little significance. For example, my mother told me she plans to get driver's license this year. My parents are both retired and they drive to the gym together. Since my father always drives, her plan doesn't offer much significance."

       The process of making annual resolutions is also a time to better understand ourselves, according to her.

      "We judge and criticize people every day but usually shy away from examining our own problems. If we can be honest with ourselves, we're halfway to making a good resolution."

      If you do not have a resolution yet, it is not too late to sit back with a pen and paper and reflect. And feel free to find some ideas in the following top resolutions in China.