Do resolutions work? 
Scroll social media. Turn on the TV. Turn up the radio. Open the newspaper.
Online videos, print ads and broadcast commercials urge you to:
“Lose weight!” / “Get in shape!” / “Eat healthy!” / “Change your life!”
And to do it “Now!” So you can, “Take advantage of incredible savings!” (Especially at the start of a new year.)
Companies like; diet- and nutrition-centers, fitness-facilities and weight-reduction products are in a major push NOW for customer acquisition.
Yet they needn’t worry about customer satisfaction and retention. Why? Because most of these new customers ain’t gonna be customers for long.
Don’t get me wrong. They won’t be angry, frustrated or disappointed customers. Instead, they’ll be part of the January juggernaut, February fade or March madness, that simply quits. Gives up. Surrenders. Not to some external force, but to themselves.
Some call this, “customer churn” or attrition. It’s not. Savvy retailers, business people and marketers know what it really is. It’s called “profit margin!”
Yet the real question is, “How come?”
Why do so many people start with good intentions to accomplish a defined goal, yet then get sidetracked? How come they fall prey to obstacles? Why do they abandon their hopes, dreams and desires?
That’s why resolutions seldom work.
Resolutions, usually urge you to; avoid, delete, eliminate or reduce. Or “add” something to your daily regimen that’s new, untested or unproven.
Neither the addition or the deletion brings initially, great joy or happiness. Instead, it can be accompanied by pain, frustration, sweat and tears.
Ouch! Not much fun.
Success takes time. No magic bullets. No quick fixes. No special elixirs.
Once, I heard an NBC Today Show broadcaster ask Phil McGraw, Ph.D., a.k.a. “Dr. Phil,” “Do you believe in resolutions?” He quickly answered, “No. But I do believe in committing to projects with deadlines.”
I agree. Here, simplicity works.
First, define the “what.” What do you want to accomplish?
Then, define the “when.” What’s the deadline, deliverable or due-date?
Next, define the “how.” What must you do?
Dr. Phil also said, “At the end of the game, it’s about results. Life is a full-contact sport and there’s a score up on the board.”
In 2025, what will your scoreboard look like?
