Kicking the dirty habit of smoking can be a difficult task even for those who are strong-willed. One reason not often discussed is the fact that smoking is simply a habit. You wake up in the morning, drink a few cups of coffee, grab a bite to eat, a cigarette, and off to work you go. You smoke a few at work, a few after dinner, and a few before you go to sleep. This happens day after day and becomes a habit. Your daily habits dictate who you are and what you become.

Many drug manufactures and makers of smoking cessation products place an emphasis on nicotine substitutes in an effort to sell their product. As a former smoker, I understand that nicotine is a powerful drug that keeps people coming back for more. I also understand that a smoking habit is just as it implies, a habit. If you can look beyond the fact that you are addicted to nicotine and that it is mostly a bad habit you will have a better chance is kicking the habit. After many years of smoking I am going to share with you the way I stopped and how life is without smoking.

It was just before the New Year and I was making a list of all the things that I wanted to accomplish in the New Year. At the top of my list was smoking cessation. After several failed attempts, I began to understand why I was so unsuccessful at quitting. At the time I was reading the book “Million Dollar Habits” by Brian Tracy. The book was about developing daily habits in order to double or triple your income.

While reading this book, I decided to apply the idea of breaking the habit of smoking by changing the way that I do things in my daily life. The first thing that I did was make a list of all the great benefits of not smoking. Making a list is simple because there are many reasons- health and financial just to name a few. Armed with a list of reasons why I should not smoke I set out on what seemed to be a near impossible journey.

I must admit, the first few months were difficult. Every time I had a drink, saw someone else smoking, or ate a large meal I wanted a cigarette bad. I battled it each and every time telling myself no and reflecting upon all the reasons why I decided to stop in the first place. Months went by and eventually the cravings disappeared. It was simply amazing!

Quitting cold turkey is not easy. It requires both a strong will and willingness to change. Life after smoking as been is much better. I am no longer a slave to the cigarette and can enjoy an uninterrupted day. I have saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. In addition I am healthier than ever. For more information and techniques to stop smoking you can search the internet for a plethora of information on smoking cessations.

For help on making your resolutions come true check back with Healthy Financial Habits in the New Year. We address topics from smoking cessation to personal finance.

Author: Mike Smitt