They have a plan, it may be to talk to their pastor or physician, sign up in a group at work, send for self-help materials or use a plan they have created on their own. In their heart they have made the decision. These people are convinced that the pros outweigh the cons. People usually only plan for three months of intense action to change their behaviour patterns, but alas that is not long enough. Behaviour change requires at least six months of intense activity.
People begin to let up too soon and then re-lapse.
That's why friends are so important, they help us hold to the decisions that we have made. The Fourth Stage of Repentance and Change is Continuance. To make change a way of life, for about six months we must eat, drink and sleep the change we have decided to make. Intensity and passion are required to make this change a part of who we are, otherwise there is danger of slipping back. For example, if someone decides to stop smoking, it takes 48 months before the temptation finally bottoms out.