The first ingredient will probably shock you. It's actually nothing special and it should be so obvious by now based on what I've told you so far. I'm convinced it is impossible to quit without this, and if you don't possess this already, you'd better get your butt into gear and get it. So...
To quit smoking forever, you must be forced to quit.
It's really that simple! Read it over a few times and really let this sentence sink in.
In order to quit for good, you must quit because you HAVE to quit, not because you want to quit. A 'want' and a 'must' are two very different animals. I want to quit drinking beer because I want to lose my beer belly, but that isn't going to happen because losing my gut isn't a must. Other than looking slim, there is no other benefit for me, so why would I do it unless looking slim is really, really important to me? It isn't, so I will continue to enjoy my delicious cold beverage all year round.
When you quit because you want to quit, it doesn't last because there's nothing stopping you from picking up a cigarette, whether it's three months or three years down the line. When you just want something, you tend to forget about it after you get it. It becomes something you fancied in the moment and is no longer important.
When you must have something at all costs, come hell or high water, it sticks with you your whole life and you'll do whatever it takes to keep it forever. I quit because I had to for financial reasons, and I still can't afford to smoke today. However, even if I became rich and could afford to smoke again, I still wouldn't because the thought of going back to that lifestyle is so incredibly painful for me now, I couldn't bring myself to do it, ever!
For me, it's this painful thought that keeps me from smoking ever again. It doesn't even bother me to be around smokers. I don't fantasize about it and I'm thankful every day that I don't smoke anymore.
I enjoy my good health so much today that I must keep it at all costs. It's too valuable to me to give it up. I now draw more pleasure from my health and vitality than I used to from cigarettes.
So now I would like you to ask yourself, "Do I want to quit or do I have to quit?" To know the answer, just think about smoking a cigarette and see how it makes you feel. If you enjoy the thought, you want to quit. If it scares you or makes you feel uncomfortable, you have to quit.
If your quit is based on a 'want', I can help you change it to a 'must'. Just read on. If you already 'must' quit, it wouldn't hurt to read the rest of this chapter anyway just to reinforce your 'must'. Every little bit helps.
Do Your Homework
I don't have to tell you about things like cancer and emphysema. You've already heard of them, I'm sure, but do you really know how they affect you? Have you ever really stopped to think about what life would be like to have to be on a respirator the rest of your life? It happens when your lungs can't breathe on their own anymore, and smoking is the leading cause.
I know too many people who died of cancer, one of which was lung cancer. He was a smoker and he was in his early twenties when he died. It can happen at any age and to anyone, including you. Don't ever think that this stuff only happens to other people, because to other people, you too are other people. Everyone is at risk, no exceptions.
My grandfather of 91 years old used to smoke. Now he looks forward to being admitted at the hospital three to four times a year because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He takes puffers and other medication on a daily basis just to keep himself out of the hospital, and sometimes he needs the respirator to help him breathe. What a way to live!
My grandfather was an avid gardener, and I say 'was' because he can't do it anymore. The slightest bit of heavy breathing puts him back in the hospital. All he can do now is sit still and do whatever he can to enjoy the rest of his life. Imagine living life like that.
In order to develop the 'must' ingredient, you have to have reasons why you must quit. So the first thing I would like you to do is learn about all the health consequences of smoking. Believe me, it will give you a nice push in the right direction.
Of course, I wouldn't dare ask you to Google cancer and COPD. Instead, I've done the work for you and you'll find all the information you'll need on my website (www.quitordie.ca) and click on 'The Facts' link. There you will find everything you'll need to know about cancer, heart disease, COPD and any other health matter affected by smoking.
Every section is in an easy to read, condensed format, and it shouldn't take you long to get through it all. However, I would urge you to stop and think about what you've read at the end of each section. This will help to really drive the point home.
Pay Your Respects
Now I'm going to ask you to get off your butt and out of the house to do something very important. It's one thing to read about this stuff, but to see it in person will have a whole different effect. I don't just recommend you do it. I'm on my knees, begging you to do this. It is so important.
I would like you to go to the nearest hospital and visit the cancer unit. While you're there, I would like you to talk to people who are on respirators. They're probably really lonely, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind.
While you're out, visit the local cemetery and see how the other half lives. Who is at the cemetery? You'll probably see someone visiting a loved one, mourning, maybe crying. That could be one of your loved ones mourning your loss.
Who else is at the cemetery? No one! They are all decaying bodies. It's a very sad and lonely place. You're going to end up here anyway, but why not put off the inevitable?
Also ask yourself, how many of these bodies ended up here due to smoking related causes. They might still be alive today, but they decided smoking was more important.
What To Look Forward To
Health issues aside, there are many more reasons to quit smoking, and a whole lot to look forward to if you don't. I could go on forever, but I'm just going to list the ones that I feel will affect most people.
Feel free to add your own benefits. Everyone is different and we each have our own unique value system. So if there is something else that is important to you, please add it to the list. Load up the ammo, baby!
Your Only Alternative
If your 'must' is in place and you 'have' to quit or die, you're already well on your way to a smoke-free life, and that is awesome!. If on the other hand you've looked at the consequences of smoking and nothing fazes you, go ahead and smoke.
If you don't have to quit, if you're not forced to quit, you aren't going to quit, plain and simple. I hate to the bearer of bad news but that's the truth. You are probably going to be stuck smoking the rest of your life.
You can try quitting anyway, but when you do and you get a craving, you'll weigh your options and decide to have another one because the pleasure you'll get from smoking outweighs the pain you'll get from smoking. It's human nature to gravitate away from pain and towards pleasure. Every one of our decisions are based on this one principle, which is why the first ingredient is so vital to a successful quit.
I know this probably sounds like a death sentence, and it sort of is, but I'd rather give it to you straight. It is what it is and I can't change the facts.
If this pisses you off, please, feel free to explore other books and listen to what someone else tells you. Just keep in mind that other books are written to please you in exchange for money and a good review. But if that's what makes you happy, be my guest. I wish you the best of luck on the rest of your journey, and I hope you keep in touch and let me know how things are going.
If you're one of the lucky ones who are ready to quit, read on.