Setting New Year’s Resolutions Based On Gospel Principles

Jennifer Call is a behavioral analyst. I appreciated the thoughts Jennifer shared about making New Year’s resolutions based on gospel principles.

From Jennifer Call

Are you making New Year’s resolutions? If so you might consider the following thoughts as you decide what you will change in the new year.

I love this quote by President Boyd K. Packer.

True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel

And President Ezra Taft Benson.

When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.

As a behavior analyst, I can testify to this. I’ve studied and taught behavior analysis for the last 20 years as a part of my job, and even knowing all the behavior laws and principles, it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that changes my behavior quicker and more permanently than any continuing education class on behavior I take to maintain my behavior analyst certifications.

What is fun for me is when the gospel of Jesus Christ and behavior analysis intersect. Behavioral principles are woven throughout the scriptures. Behavior analysts just call them by different names.

For example, 2 Nephi 28:30:

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

So what does that mean in terms of the gospel and New Year’s resolutions?

Well, if you want to make changes in your life, start small.

Don’t make a resolution to work out 5 days a week, if in the last year, you haven’t worked out once, or maybe only once or twice. Don’t set a goal to study the scriptures 7 days a week for an hour if you struggle to meet 15 minutes.

Start small and then build.

Start with a goal to open the scriptures for even 5 minutes a day. When you are consistent with 5 minutes, increase the time. Maybe you decide to turn off the radio or a beloved podcast while driving to and from work one day a week and listen to a Come Follow Me podcast. Then as you become consistent at that goal add to it. This could be done by adding another day to listen to the podcast.

Shape your behavior until you reach your desired goal.

The other mistake we often make is that we make a goal to stop some kind of behavior, but we forget to replace it with a worthwhile behavior.

For example, don’t make a goal to not be on social media as much if you are not giving yourself behaviors to replace your social media time with. You have to have a plan for what you will do when you just need downtime but are choosing not to be on social media. I can’t stop a behavior successfully if I am not engaging in a more acceptable replacement behavior.

Putting the Lord First

As you put the Lord first more in your life this coming year, I promise you, that you will find greater success in the things you set out to do. Whether it is related to gospel service, studying the gospel, or an intellectual goal, shaping your behavior, or as the Lord says building on it “line upon line,” it will go much better than if you set huge goals and then give up because it was a too lofty, although wonderful, goal to strive for.

I encourage you to make a study of the gospel part of your change for the new year, whatever that change may be. You will find greater power to keep covenants and be successful in your daily life.

Notice in the scripture above, that the Lord gives us a little, and as we “hearken unto His precepts, and lend an ear unto His counsel,” He gives us more.

Be Patient and Celebrate

Don’t forget to be patient with yourself. Change is never easy don’t expect perfection from the start, simply grow a little at a time. You will be more successful.

Also, reward yourself once in a while for all you are accomplishing. Celebrate you!