How to Know if You are Ready to Quit Smoking

 

You’re all psyched up to quit smoking , everybody is rooting for you and you know it’s the right thing to do – but are you ready? Here’s how to tell.

There is a way to test yourself to make sure you’re in the right place in your life to get yourself smoke free for good.

Approximately 50 percent of those who smoke attempt giving up the habit on an annual basis. However only 2%-5% are successful in their attempts. This is abysmal – but there’s a simple reason why these figures are so poor.

The number one reason that success does not happen for so many people is in their own minds they were not ready to quit the habit – smoking maybe, but the habit… not on your life!

How can that be you may ask?

Well, kicking a habit requires commitment from within and something you want – not what anybody else wants. It also requires the right circumstances to be in place.

And I’ve boiled it down here to three simple questions to ask yourself before you move ahead and  spend your precious time and money on hypnosis sessions or any other form of smoking cessation. These questions are:

•    Am I quitting for the proper reasons?
•    Do I have the right attitude to quit?
•    Am I presently under any emotional distress?

Let us take a brief look at each one of these questions and why the way you respond to each will determine whether you’re ready to quit smoking.

Are You Quitting for the Right Reasons?

There is only one proper reason to quit smoking – and that’s for yourself.

Do not quit because of pressure from loved ones or friends and do not quit just because you know philosophically you should. Choosing to quit for a reason that is near and dear to you such as to improve your health or to improve your level of self-esteem will get you much closer to the success finish line than doing it for others. Smoking is a habit that’s very personal to you and so should be the decision to get it out of your life for good. Do it on your terms.

Do I Have the Right Attitude to Quit?

Your attitude will play an integral role in your ability to succeed. Make sure your attitude reflects a serious desire and commitment to quit for good. Don’t  decide just to give up smoking on a whim with no planning or forethought. Do not take the “devil may care” attitude about quitting or you’ll fail for sure. Tell yourself instead it’s got to work this time. No excuses.

Worse of all, don’t tell yourself you’ll try to give it up. Trying after all is such a “blah” word – it let’s you off the hook if you slip.

Are You Presently Under any Emotional Distress?

For may people there’s a lot of stress involved in giving up smoking. This is why you should decide to give it up when the rest of your life is relatively calm and stress-free.

You don’t need completely smooth waters but if you’re in the middle of a hurricane in your life such as a divorce, a major relocation or the loss of a job then talk with a therapist or professional hypnotist before you  make the decision to quit now. The same is true if you have recently suffered the death of a person who was close to you.

If you’re honest with yourself and feel you can pass muster on these three questions then go ahead and take the plunge and get out of the smoking trap forever.

And if you’re ready to take the plunge and interested in more information about my own online or in-office sessions then check out my stop smoking hypnosis programs.

Erika Slater, CH
Director
Free At Last Hypnosis