It is not easy to break any old habit, least of all smoking, which is more than just a habit. However, if you have reached a point when you really want to quit smoking, you can do that more easily in a group rather than do it alone. But, first things first! You must be honest with yourself whether you truly want to quit smoking or is it just a passing fancy that impels you to give it up for any temporary reason. If you really want to give up smoking, then you must feel accountable to yourself and others. That is why you need a support group around you that can be of at least two or three other people, though five is ideal.
When you try to do it alone, you are more likely going to succumb to the overwhelming urge because you are answerable to only one person. But if you have a group, that's a different ball game altogether.
So how do you hold yourself accountable to others?
Of course, you begin by being accountable to yourself first. For example, if you've been off cigarettes for a week and then the irresistible urge strikes you, and you make hundred and one excuses, you battle with guilt and frustration, and ultimately, you give in because the nicotine beast is very strong and you are only one person. This is the story of many people who break down at this point.
But what if you had five loyal soldiers standing between the nicotine demon and you? Ah, now that's a completely new ball game.
How to make it work?
Set up a small support group for yourself whether it be via email, telephone, or a support forum. Tell these people your goal to quit smoking but also ask them not to pester you about it - just to be there when you need help and positive support. Use them for encouragement.
But here's the thing. Let's say you are once again at the point of convincing yourself that you need a cigarette. Only this time instead of just coping with your own guilty conscience, you have to call these five people and say to them. "Hello, it's me. I just needed to call you and tell you that I have decided to start smoking again."
If you can do this much, you need not do anything else. They will do the talking and you just have to sit back and listen without getting angry or upset. Chances are that they will talk you out of your momentary weakness and encourage you to stick to your resolve. And it may not even take all five voices to convince you. However, if you can make it through all five members of your support team and you still think that you can do with just 'one' cigarette, then you must know that it is not just one " it is always the first one that will get you.
The support system works so well only because of numbers; it is six times more difficult to convince six people (your support team plus you) against the 'one'.
As I say, the more you know about quitting, the more successful you will be. So get all the information you need before you try to quit. It's much easier, believe me.
Happy quitting,
Darren Warmuth - 15266
When you try to do it alone, you are more likely going to succumb to the overwhelming urge because you are answerable to only one person. But if you have a group, that's a different ball game altogether.
So how do you hold yourself accountable to others?
Of course, you begin by being accountable to yourself first. For example, if you've been off cigarettes for a week and then the irresistible urge strikes you, and you make hundred and one excuses, you battle with guilt and frustration, and ultimately, you give in because the nicotine beast is very strong and you are only one person. This is the story of many people who break down at this point.
But what if you had five loyal soldiers standing between the nicotine demon and you? Ah, now that's a completely new ball game.
How to make it work?
Set up a small support group for yourself whether it be via email, telephone, or a support forum. Tell these people your goal to quit smoking but also ask them not to pester you about it - just to be there when you need help and positive support. Use them for encouragement.
But here's the thing. Let's say you are once again at the point of convincing yourself that you need a cigarette. Only this time instead of just coping with your own guilty conscience, you have to call these five people and say to them. "Hello, it's me. I just needed to call you and tell you that I have decided to start smoking again."
If you can do this much, you need not do anything else. They will do the talking and you just have to sit back and listen without getting angry or upset. Chances are that they will talk you out of your momentary weakness and encourage you to stick to your resolve. And it may not even take all five voices to convince you. However, if you can make it through all five members of your support team and you still think that you can do with just 'one' cigarette, then you must know that it is not just one " it is always the first one that will get you.
The support system works so well only because of numbers; it is six times more difficult to convince six people (your support team plus you) against the 'one'.
As I say, the more you know about quitting, the more successful you will be. So get all the information you need before you try to quit. It's much easier, believe me.
Happy quitting,
Darren Warmuth - 15266
About the Author:
Is there a magic stop smoking pill? - read some independent reviews of zyban, chantix, hypnosis etc. Also, click here to discover the quit smoking method Darren himself used.
