Characteristics
Of A Quitter
Consider
the following. Those who did stop smoking:
• Were very unhappy about
being a smoker.
• Viewed themselves as too
dependent on tobacco.
• Experienced smoking as
having a negative impact on
their life.
• Had a determination to stop
smoking.
• Implemented action steps.
They found ways to quit smoking and
acted on them - (example: researched ways
to quit smoking, tried quit smoking aids, studied material that gave
them insight and understanding that set them on a new course, etc.)
• Were willing to experience
the discomfort of
withdrawal in anticipation
of the reward.
People who succeed have a conviction
about it. It is like a "cause"
that they believe in and so they "take-a-stand" for it.
If you are one of those who wants to
quit smoking,
then you can take it a step at a time and follow your convictions.
There are also many resources available that can help you, as well as
community support. In all of my writings, you will always hear me say
that there is a type of mindset and a particular place of being that
brings about long term success.
There really is a place of being that
revolves
around who you are. For the smoker, smoking is actually supportive of
the very person that they are. It is my hope that those who want to
quit smoking will discover that there is an understanding about this
which will give them a new mindset (or outlook) which will effect, to
some degree, who they are (or will be). Smoking is not just something
that the person does. Smoking is actually an extension of who the
person is. Can a person stop being who they are? Though the nicotine
aspect of smoking is a difficult issue for some, it is not the
“thing” that actually prevents someone from long
term
success at quitting. The “thing” that prevents
success is
the concept of not being able to quit being who they are.
So then, where is a solution? Well, it
begins with
the characteristics of a successful quitter which I shared above. A
genuine desire to succeed must be there and this is not something that
someone can give to another. It is either there or it is not. Also, for
long term success, it goes even deeper. Smoking is rooted in
developmental issues. As I said, it is actually an extension of who a
person is therefore it is important for a person to consider personal
development issues for the purpose of becoming a different person to
some degree; a person who’s emotional support, identity,
security
and validation do not come from smoking. Again, the desire to be a
different person (to some degree), which is a level of maturity, is not
something that someone can give to another. A person either has that
desire or they don’t. In some of my other writings I
explain
in detail about personal development, but for now I hope you can see
that this is an important part of the process.
In the meantime, if you are struggling,
then during
your times of struggle and set-backs always remember - There is no
condemnation! What matters the most is - Intent and Motive.
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