There are two main reasons for failure. The first is the influence of other smokers. At a weak moment or during a social occasion somebody will light up. I have already dealt with this topic at length. Use that moment to remind yourself that there is no such thing as one cigarette. Rejoice in the fact that you have broken the chain. Remember that the smoker envies you, and feel sorry for him. Believe me, he needs your pity.
The other main reason for failure is having a bad day. Get it clear in your mind before you start that, whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker, there are good days and bad days. Life is a matter of
relativity, and you cannot have ups without having downs.
The problem with the Willpower Method of stopping is that as soon as the smoker has a bad day
he starts moping for a cigarette, and all he does is make a bad day worse. The non-smoker is better
equipped, not only physically but also mentally, to cope with the stresses and strains of life.
If you have a bad day during the withdrawal period, just take it on the chin. Remind yourself that you
had bad days when you smoked (otherwise you wouldn't have decided to stop). Instead of moping
about it, say to yourself something like, 'OK, today's not so good, but smoking is not going to cure it.
Tomorrow will be better, and at least I have got a marvelous bonus at the moment. I have kicked
that awful cigarette habit.'
When you are a smoker you have to block your mind to the bad side of smoking. Smokers never
have smokers' coughs, just permanent colds. When your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere
you light a cigarette, but are you happy and cheerful? Of course you aren't. Once you stop smoking
the tendency is to blame everything that goes wrong in your life on the fact that you have stopped.
Now if your car breaks down, you think, 'At times like this I would have lit a cigarette.' That's true,
but what you forget is that the cigarette didn't solve the problem, and you are simply punishing
yourself by moping for an illusory crutch.
You are creating an impossible situation. You are miserable because you can't have the cigarette, and
you'll be even more miserable if you do. You know that you have made the correct decision by
stopping smoking, so don't punish yourself by ever doubting the decision.
Remember: a positive mental approach is essential - always.