Muster the must disperse the should

You can become a non-smoker, there are no doubts whatsoever as to your capability.

There’s no question about it.

Transformation depends on information and motivation, not on capability. There are no doubts that you are capable.

More than a hundred million people from every nation, color and creed have quit smoking in recent years. You can do it too, for sure.

Yet, to make the transformation possible you will have to put some energy and urgency behind your decision to take action.

You must promote the feeling of – ‘I must quit now. ‘

If you approach action with the feeble and indecisive notion of – ‘I should quit smoking’, you will allow your mind to entice you to do it later.

The mind is a master procrastinator.

‘Should’ is not good enough as it gives the mind a confusing message, of non-determination, hesitation and reluctance.

Disperse the ‘should’ and muster the ‘must’.

The mind will cooperate if it doesn’t have a choice. If you give it an order, the mind will obey.

You have to make a decision. You have to be firm about it, you must be determined and clear, you must align all your faculties to support you in the task. Generate the notion of ‘must’.

If you ‘must’ it means there are no other choices.

You may indeed be harboring mixed emotions about smoking. You do want to quit but at the same time smoking is pleasurable and comforting. It is reliable in the sense that it has always been there for you, and you may perceive it as part of who you are – you are a smoker. You may be fearful of how would you deal with life without cigarettes, without the relaxing effect and the pleasures you derive from a smoke with a drink or after a meal.

Although these notions and fears are natural, they are working against you. You have to contemplate and realize that being a non-smoker is a far better ‘you’ to identify with. There’s no question about it.

You must also realize that people do enjoy drinking and great dining without smoking cigarettes. You will too, for sure.

You must realize that your quality of life and general well-being will improve dramatically. For sure!

And if you need to harbor fears, it’s better to fear that smoking will shorten your life, breeds terrible terminal diseases, and contaminate everybody that comes in touch with you.

Smoking is an addiction that perpetuates itself by using your mixed emotions as its fuel. No more mixed emotions then…

Muster the ‘must’ disperse the ‘should’.

And don’t look on it as a drag or a punishment.

It is a great challenge and you can do it.

Approach your action with a positive attitude and you will win easily.

If your attitude is negative – dwelling on how hard is it going to be, and how tough it is to give up one of your pleasures - you will experience agony and demoralization, and make the process a torture.

Be positive about it. It is actually not all that tough. Your body will regenerate and adapt and you will feel both healthy and proud.

You have to remember why you are taking action against your addiction to nicotine. You have all the good reasons behind you. Knowing why you are acting will further reinforce you. Write it down if you need a reminder. Don’t let any hesitations interfere now - you are doing the right thing, and you are doing it now.

Life is not a dress rehearsal - it is show time now!