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.
If you only have to answer to yourself when an overwhelming urge strikes, that's only one person the nicotine beast has to overcome, but if you have a group, that's a whole other story.
When you work with a group, you are accountable to others.
Actually, it's all about holding yourself accountable to others. If you have been off cigarettes for one week and then your mind comes up with some silly reason that you need a smoke. It will very cleverly convince all the dissenting voices trying to remind you of your resolve so that you become weak and break down before the urge and take a smoke.
However, if you had five loyal soldiers standing between the nicotine demon and you, it will be entirely different story.
How to make it work?
So, it is very essential that you set up a small support group for yourself either through email, telephone, or a support forum. Let your support group know of your goal to quit smoking and also what you expect from them. You don't want them to pester you every now and then; make that clear. All you want is that they be there for you when you need help and positive support. You will have weak moments, and it is at that time that you will need their 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."
Once you have got it off your chest, you need not do anything more. You can sit back and listen to five voices reminding you of your resolve. Then, it is up to you to decide whether they are unfair and misguided and your deep down beliefs that you should quit are suddenly wrong. And, if you think that just that 'one' cigarette will do no harm to your determination, you are wrong. Because it's never one; it's invariably 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'.
One last point, you must be well informed about the whole process before you try to quit smoking. The more you know about quitting, the more successful you will be.
Happy quitting,
Darren Warmuth
When you are ready to stop smoking check out both Darren's own quit smoking method and also this independent quit smoking reviews site. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
|
