 To
Be or Not To Be
By now
if you are still with us we presume that you have made
up your mind not to be a nicholic any longer.
Quitting
smoking needs to be done in steps. First, the
smoker
should strengthen his resolve as to why he wishes to quit.
Personal motivation is a key predictor of success in quitting
smoking, and keeping a personal "record" of that
motivation helps many smokers quit. Consider all the
plausible reasons, the health consequences, the social
implications, the fact that he is totally controlled
by his cigarettes, the expense and any other personal problems
cigarettes have caused him. Write them down in a pocket
diary that you carry or on the back of a visiting card and insert
it into your wallet where so long you had your sweetheart's snap
(she will appreciate this more) or any other easily accessible
place (where you previously used to keep your cigarettes). In the
future when you do get the thought of a cigarette and find
yourself reaching for them, just a glance at those reasons shall
provide the necessary ammunition to keep you from returning to
smoking. It also helps to write a letter to loved ones
stating the reasons why smoking is so important that you choose to
die early rather than be with them. This type of letter is
especially powerful, because it helps make you feel selfish and
foolish for continuing a habit that will surely harm you (and
them), and offers some people the motivation to finally quit.
Identify
your Motivation
- I
will have the freedom to express my potential to the fullest.
- Once
again I will swim the seven seas and the highest mountains
will be within reach.
- I
will regain control of my life and health.
- My
children will be led by the best example possible.
- My
family will no longer be tormented by the perils of second
hand smoke.
- The
money that I used to burn will fetch me my dream Mercedes or
take me on my dream holiday to the Hawaii.
- This
is no age to die a premature death due to a heart attack. No
cigarettes for me please.
- My
brother suffered a stroke and became a vegetable, I don't want
to become the same.
- Dying
is fine, but I cannot live to struggle for every breath. I
choose to leave cigarettes rather than have emphysema.
- I
have places to go and I don't want an ill timed lung cancer to
consume me.
- The
Doc said, "Either I can have my limbs or my cigarettes, I
cant have both." I choose to have my limbs, no
amputations for me please.
- The
ulcers in my stomach will heal faster.
- I
will have fewer colds or flu each year.
- I
will climb stairs and walk without getting out of breath.
- I
am sick of being called an "ashtray". Once I quit, I
will have better smelling clothes, hair, breath, home, and
car.
- I
am fed up with the surprising regularity with which I burn
holes into my clothes. If I don't quit some day I will burn
down the entire house.
- More
and more jobs are becoming only for smokers.
- I
don't want to miss important scenes in a movie.
- In
areas where smoking is strictly prohibited like planes,
theatres and the like, I wont have to worry about whether I
will get a chance to smoke or not.
- Its
been ages since I have inhaledd earaches my children will
have.
- I
will have more energy to pursue physical activities I enjoy.
- We
only live once and I am going to live it to the fullest.
- _________________________________________________
- _________________________________________________
- _________________________________________________
- _________________________________________________
- _________________________________________________
These
are few of the oft quoted reasons. Take out a printout and tick
the ones that apply to you. To this list add those that you think
are very pertinent in your case. But beware, get your reasons
right cause often I have seen people who have successfully gone
through the pain of physical withdrawal, but then have slipped
back into there addictions primarily due to a flawed motivation.
Consider the following examples:
"My
husband can't stand it when I smoke - that is why I quit."
"My
wife is trying to quit, so I will stop just to support her."
"My
kids get sick when I smoke in front of them. They cough,
sneeze, and nag me to death. I quit for them."
"My
doctor told me not to smoke as long as I am his patient, so I quit
to get him off my back."
All
these people may have given up smoking, but they have done it for
the wrong reason. While they may have gotten through the
initial withdrawal process, if they don't change their primary
motivation for abstaining from smoking, they will inevitably
relapse. Contrary to popular belief, the important measure
of success in smoking cessation is not getting off of cigarettes,
but rather the ability to stay off.
Do
not Quit for the Wrong Reasons
A
smoker may quit temporarily for the sake of a significant other,
but he will feel as if he is depriving himself of something he
truly wants. This feeling of deprivation will ultimately
cause him to return to smoking. All that has to happen is
for the person who he quit for to do something wrong, or just
disappoint him. His response will be, "I deprived
myself of my cigarettes for you and look how you pay me back!
I'll show you, I will take a cigarette!" He will show
them nothing. He is the one who will return to smoking and
suffer the consequences. He will either smoke until it kills him
or have to quit again. Neither alternative will be pleasant.
It
is imperative for him to come to the realization that the primary
benefactor in his giving up smoking is himself. True, his
family and friends will benefit, but he will feel happier,
healthier, calmer and in control of his life. This results
in pride and a greatly improved self-esteem. Instead of
feeling deprived of cigarettes, he will feel good about himself
and appreciative to have been able to break free from such a
dirty, deadly, powerful addiction.
So,
always keep in mind that you quit smoking for your own self.
Even if no one else offers praise or encouragement, pat yourself
on the back for taking such good care of yourself. Realize
how good you are to yourself for having broken free from such a
destructive addiction.
Do
not dwell on the idea that you are depriving yourself of a
cigarette. Be
proud and work on
developing the attitude that you are doing yourself a favor by not
smoking.
So
the bottom line is get your reasons right. You
are ridding yourself of a full fledged addiction because you care
enough about yourself. Remember attitude is everything and holds
the final key to success.
_____________
 A
friend in need is a friend indeed |You
can make the difference
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