So, do resolutions work? Turn on the TV. Turn up the radio. Open the newspaper.

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.

However, they needn’t worry about customer satisfaction and retention. Why? Because most of these new customers aren’t going to be customers in a few weeks.

Oh, 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. Waves the white flag. Surrenders.

Not to some external force, but to themselves.

Some might call this, “customer churn” or attrition. It’s not. Savvy retailers, businesspeople and marketers know what it really is. It’s called “profit margin!”

But the real question is, “how come?” Why do so many people start with good intentions to accomplish a defined goal, but then get sidetracked? How come they fall prey to obstacles?

Why do they abandon their hopes, dreams and desires?

Simple questions, but not always easy answers.

But that’s why resolutions seldom work. Resolutions, usually urge you to avoid, delete, eliminate or reduce.

Or, to “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.

A few years ago, I heard Matt Lauer of the “Today” show 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.”

To help you maximize your score, here’s a series of questions, I like to call the “great eight.” May they politely challenge and inspire you:

1. Let’s imagine, we walk out together, into your future for blank years. When you look back at that time, what would you have liked to accomplish? (With you? Your family? Your career? Your business?)

2. If anything in your world or future, could come true, what would that include?

3. What would you most like to change in your life? How willing are you, to make these changes? When will you make them?

4. What’s your biggest piece of “unfinished business” personally? Professionally? What steps will you take to “finish” them?

5. What brings you the greatest happiness? How are you going to make sure, you have more of that happiness in your life?

6. What kind of resources could be re-directed to achieve your goals?

7. What activities, experiences, events or moments, would make your life complete? What steps will you take to make these things happen?

8. And perhaps, the most challenging question … What’s the risk of doing nothing?

Jeff Blackman is a speaker, author, success coach, broadcaster and lawyer who lives part-time on Marco Island. His clients call him a “business-growth specialist.” Send an e-mail to jeff@jeffblackman.com or go to jeffblackman.com to subscribe to his free e-letter.

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