There are two factors that
will determine your success in quitting
smoking for good. They are;
Will : You must have the desire to give up your habit of smoking and create a strong will to avoid a smoking relapse.There is no such thing as willpower. Just forget it. Don't even try to tell me you just didn't have the willpower.
Mindset : You must learn about the effects of smoking, understand its consequences and face the fact that you need to stop smoking and follow, finish and maintain a quit smoking plan.
First Things First
Go out and buy a book. Yes, you have things to read on the web, but smoking is a visceral habit. You smoke with your whole body: posture, hands, mouth, nose, face, eyes, lungs, and bloodstream.
So get a book; hopefully a paperback, you can carry in a pocket or pocketbook. Have something for your hands to do, because 20 times a day (or more) your hand is going to twitch on its way to your pocket or pocketbook for a cigarette). Now, for some bad news: your unconscious mind (subconscious, preconscious) will try to sabotage your quitting. You will forget your list somewhere. You will arrange to be in a crowd of smokers. You will forget everything, your book, your reasons, your reasoning even.
BE ON YOUR TOES. You WILL try to sabotage your quitting. We do not smoke because we like to smoke,we smoke because we do not like the feeling of not smoking. Wait till your 10th urge strikes and then try to tell yourself differently! So, when it gets bad, have something to do. Pull out your book and read it. Read your list. Pull out a stick of gum if it's an overwhelming urge. Call a friend. Go online to a quit-smoking support group.
But don't reach for that cigarette.
Finally, be aware that even after you quit, urges will hit you when you least expect it. Many times right after the second week (this is why we say, wait 21 days before putting yourself in harm's way). Again, some people get an overwhelming urge to smoke after six months. Whatever you do, do not give in. The physical cravings are gone. It's all in your head. Do not think that one cigarette won't hurt, because to most smokers, one leads to a lifetime of cigarettes.
