I have found taking on a day of the week in the merit of someone I knew who died to work however and I have found it hard to really replicate this. I have tried a few times with some success nothing that's lasted as long as the first person I took it on for...

I don’t have any advice because for you because I’m not an expert and new to this forum thing. You seem to be trying hard and really tying to make a big effort! One day your challenge will be be behind you betrat Hashem! 

Interesting idea, thanks for sharing. I think at some point it may not be enough to do it for someone else, even for Hashem. I think we may need to do it for ourselves, which, if it works, is better for everyone else.

Want to try a different zechus? For the zechus of X who is struggling with Y, even for the general success of the klall in shemiras einayim or something else