1. Make a solemn vow never, ever to smoke, chew or suck anything that contains nicotine and stick to your vow.
2. There is absolutely nothing to GIVE UP, to lose. There is everything to gain. There is no genuine pleasure or crutch in smoking. It is an illusion, like banging your head against a wall to make it pleasant when you stop.
3. Don't doubt your decision to stop. You know it's the right choice.
4. Don't try NOT to think about smoking or worry about it. Whenever you do think of it, think "YIPPEE! I'M A NON-SMOKER!"
5. There is no such thing as "just one cigarette".
6. Do NOT use any substitute.
Do NOT keep your own cigarettes.
Do NOT avoid other smokers.
Do NOT change your lifestyle in anyway because you've stopped smoking.
7. Do not envy other smokers, realize that they envy you. You are not being deprived, they are. Pity them.
8. You did not enjoy being a smoker. I do enjoy being a non-smoker.
9. Don't wait for the moment of revelation to come. Just get on with your life. Enjoy the highs and cope with the lows. In time, the moment will arrive.
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Reading this book, and keeping these reminders on hand has helped me tremendously in quitting smoking. I smoked for 3 years in college. The last time I regularly smoked was when I was in South America (the cheap price of cigs was a real trigger for me). The last time I had a drag was December 18, 2003.
Also, it is interesting to note that these reminders could easily be applied or modified to quitting alcohol or drugs as well.
I just wanted to share this with y'all, regardless of where you are in your status of using any kind of substance. It is just as much a reminder to myself as a hopeful message to anyone else.