Why New Year's Resolutions Fail And How A Financial Counselor Can Help

I hate going to the gym in January.

It’s not just the freezing morning air or the shock of the cold when I leave the house. 

It's the crowds. The floor is suddenly packed with people I’ve never seen before. And let’s be honest, probably won't see each other again after mid-February.

I want these new, determined fitness enthusiasts to succeed. I want them to set realistic goals. I want them to feel the joy of achieving those goals by the end of the year, or maybe sooner! I want them to feel how great it is to exercise regularly, to notice how it clears the mind and helps you stay alert during the day. Above all, I want them to enjoy stronger, healthier lives because of the positive choices they're making right now.

But why will most people quit by February? Is it that they really don’t care about their health? Many people would argue that the answer lies in their approach to learning new behaviors. The technical term is called “behavior modification”. But there is something deeper that drives our actions. We can learn new behaviors, but our new habits may not last if our “desires” don’t change as well. 

And just as fitness resolutions often fail, so will our financial resolutions if we don’t understand that our desires are driven by our hearts. 

For example, are your spending habits linked to stress or frustration? Is there unaddressed hurt that is complicating your plan to get out of debt? Are you living in fear or afraid you might let someone down?

As the author and speaker Paul David Tripp would say, we need a “heart transformation” if we expect to change our behavior for good. 

What challenges are you facing at the start of this 2026 New Year? As you consider what aspects of your life need to change, whether that is through regular exercise or finally managing your income with a realistic budget, you should first consider the heart behind your desire to change. 

So often, we make grand proclamations that we will change some aspect of our lives, when the reality is that such change occurs little by little, day by day. Paul David Tripp wrote in his book, New Morning Mercies, 

“The fact of the matter is that the transforming work of grace is more of a mundane process than a series of a few dramatic events. Personal heart and life change is always a process.”

And this is where a Christian Financial Counselor can help. Sure, financial counselors can help you make good financial decisions, but they can do more than that. They can help you identify the root causes of your heart issues that may be holding you back from reaching your goals. Not in big, dramatic ways. But in the slow, steady moments of life, through the process of asking tough questions and holding you accountable.

Reason #1 - They will come alongside you

When you’re battling a difficult season, it is very hard to white-knuckle it alone.  The counselor is there to be both a sounding board and a voice of encouragement. If you’re battling through a difficult financial season, making decisions to change your course can be very difficult without someone on your side. Even if the financial counselor agrees with your plan, having that assurance and peace of mind is significant.

Reason #2 - They will ask the heart questions

I think one of the most important roles of a counselor is to ask questions and listen. Often, the busyness of our lives and the chaos we are trying to manage keep us from seeing the bigger picture. We struggle to understand our motives and our behaviors, and find ourselves in the same ruts over and over again. 

One of the core benefits of financial counseling is the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the “why” behind our decisions. Through this process, we can identify the underlying issues we may be facing and see how they are affecting our financial situation. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who illuminates our minds and helps us see and understand what needs to change. But this type of change is lasting, as it gets to the core of who we are.

Reason #3 - They will speak God’s Word into your situation

As a financial counselor listens to your situation, they can begin to understand how to help you. This means speaking truth in love using God’s Word. Sometimes this means challenging your thinking and behaviors, and other times it may mean encouraging you to continue down your path. And since God’s Word is sufficient for all matters of life, there is always a word for you in your situation. You can’t experience lasting change without God’s Word speaking into your life and your financial situation. 

Reason #4 - They will hold you accountable

As you begin to navigate a new path, having a financial counselor along to hold you accountable is huge. You might understand intellectually what different spending habits look like, but implementing them takes time and patience. The financial counselor will monitor your situation and step in to help course-correct when you begin drifting from the plan. In this way, you can experience lasting change in your situation. 

Conclusion

As you begin to reflect on a New Year with its financial challenges, how will you approach the changes that need to occur in your life? Have you really dug into the heart of your situation to understand why you aren’t making the progress you thought was possible? Are you ready to change - not for the sake of changing, but for the purpose of becoming more like Christ as you walk closer with him? Seek the help of a Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CERCFC®) to help you navigate the necessary change for the sake of God’s Kingdom.