Speck, the 14-year-old son of famous singer John Mellencamp, came up with a creative way to help his dad quit smoking. Although his heart is in the right place, Speck unfortunately might be in for a big disappointment.

According to the Associated Press, Mellencamp promised to quit smoking if 1,000,000 people joined the Facebook group titled "1,000,000 to join, my dad john mellencamp will quit smoking."

Mellencamp, a long-time smoker, has struggled with quitting since a 1994 massive heart attack. As a Quit Coach, I've talked with thousands of people in that same position. Unfortunately, quitting isn't an easy process. What makes for a successful quit is having a good, specific plan, and the internal motivation to make the change. I'm not saying that Mellencamp doesn't have the right motivation. But I do think there's got to be more to his motivation than just having a million people join a social networking group. If it were that "easy," I would recommend it to everyone I talk to.

Having motivation to quit is so important; we ask every participant about it. Not everyone has the same motivation, nor should they. We're all individuals. People tend to be more successful quitting tobacco when their motivation comes from within (internal motivation). Breathing easier, more energy, and feeling less "controlled" by tobacco are all examples of ways people can be internally motivated. External motivation is driven by situations like being nagged by a family member or a promise to a dying friend. There's no direct benefit the person quitting, although being nagged less or reducing guilt certainly feels like a benefit.

Being motivated by external factors isn't bad or wrong, but it alone cannot necessarily help someone quit or stay quit. So, if a million people joining the Facebook group doesn't work, then what? My hope for Mr. Mellencamp and son Speck is that the motivation to quit is balanced. Wanting to quit for his son is great, but that alone might not be enough to make it happen.

My advice for Mr. Mellencamp is to take inventory of all the reasons why he wants to quit, and put together a good specific plan. I'll join the Facebook group, and if he wants any help quitting, I'm happy to be his coach.

Mr. Mellencamp, I hope you'll consider calling the Indiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.