Year-long resolutions don't work. Here's how to make 12 'micro-resolutions' instead

By David G. Allan, CNN

Updated 1145 GMT (1945 HKT) December 27, 2019

No one maintains their New Year's resolutions all year. But what if you committed to a dozen of them for just one month at a time? Here's what happened when I did.
Photos: The Wisdom Project
For the New Year, try 12 monthly 'micro-resolutions' – No one maintains their New Year's resolutions all year. But what if you committed to a dozen of them for just one month at a time? Here's what happened when I did.
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Tragic news raises deep, divided questions about our species. Are people inherently violent? Are some people evil? What is the solution to violence? And our answers are very important. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/12/11/health/nonviolence-good-wisdom-project/index.html" target="_blank">Read here.</a>
Photos: The Wisdom Project
Breaking news alert: People are inherently good, non-violent – Tragic news raises deep, divided questions about our species. Are people inherently violent? Are some people evil? What is the solution to violence? And our answers are very important. Read here.
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Training for my first marathon led to runners' highs and a few lows as I pushed my average unfit body to its physical -- and mental -- limits. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/12/03/health/long-distance-running-wisdom-project/index.html" target="_blank">Read here.</a>
Photos: The Wisdom Project
The joy and practical wisdom of running – Training for my first marathon led to runners' highs and a few lows as I pushed my average unfit body to its physical -- and mental -- limits. Read here.
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The world's longest living people share a devotion to a concept called ikigai, the happiness of being busy at some activity that holds meaning and purpose to them. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/11/12/health/ikigai-longevity-happiness-living-to-100-wisdom-project/index.html" target="_blank">Read here.</a> <br />
Photos: The Wisdom Project
Ikigai, the Japanese path to live longer, happier – The world's longest living people share a devotion to a concept called ikigai, the happiness of being busy at some activity that holds meaning and purpose to them. Read here.
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Rekindle childhood joy, help the Earth, stay in shape, and practice mindfulness -- all on two wheels. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/07/30/health/biking-wisdom-project/index.html">Read here. </a>
Photos: The Wisdom Project
Zen and the art of bicycling to work – Rekindle childhood joy, help the Earth, stay in shape, and practice mindfulness -- all on two wheels. Read here.
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A habit can be our greatest ally -- or most frequent saboteur -- for self-improvement. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/05/health/habits-wisdom-project/index.html">Read here. </a>
Photos: The Wisdom Project
Start a new (good) habit, kill an old (bad) one – A habit can be our greatest ally -- or most frequent saboteur -- for self-improvement. Read here.
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Follow in the footsteps of the founding father's "13 Virtues" personal makeover scheme toward the best version of yourself. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/03/01/health/13-virtues-wisdom-project/index.html">Read here. </a>
Photos: The Wisdom Project
Ben Franklin's '13 Virtues' path to personal perfection – Follow in the footsteps of the founding father's "13 Virtues" personal makeover scheme toward the best version of yourself. Read here.
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