"It took me about a week after I had given up to realize how vitally important this power of decision is.

I noticed after about three days of non-smoking that I was beginning to find it difficult. 

There were no physical symptoms, just an urge to smoke which, in itself I didn't mind as I was prepared for this and knew I could cope quite easily with it. 

What I began to find difficult was the so called 'brainwashing'.

My mind began playing tricks. 

When I felt the urge to smoke, my mind would cloth it up with such reasonable excuses....

'You have done well so far - why not have just one cigarette to celebrate'

or

'You have a big day coming up next week. Why not postpone giving up now - and start again after the big day.......

I knew these thoughts were all crap. 

Although they all sounded reasonable, I knew deep down they were jut excuses - my brain working overtime trying to give me an excuse to smoke.

Yet I was allowing myself to think about them - to consider them as a real possibility. 

As this went on, I was beginning to feel drained, tried and frustrated and fearful - the fear that I would give in. What was going wrong ?

Then I realized there was still a part of me that still hadn't fully decided that I had stopped smoking. 

That is why I was getting involved with these doubts and using up so much energy trying to pretend they didn't exist.

I read the notes on the Lesson The Power of Decision and thought....'Why am I even bothering with these excuses?

I have made a decision.

I AM a non-smoker. I am not going to smoke again. 

So why am I even wasting my energy getting involved with these thoughts........., fighting them..........,worrying about them and trying to make them disappear.

I then felt a great sense of relief. 

I think most people understand this feeling. 

It is when you have made a final decision once and for all and you know that's it. 

Then, in a mysterious way, they....the excuses seem to stop or not come as often. They seem to sense there is no point bothering you any more - as your mind is made up and any doubts or excuses would be just wasting their time!"

If you can adopt the same attitude as Michael, you will find giving up so easy when the time is right for you make that firm decision.

The decision is simple: You are never going to smoke again no matter WHAT HAPPENS in your life.

KEY IDEA.

I am a non-smoker - thus I do not smoke. Final. Full stop.

.

If you can make a decision like this - it will make giving up smoking as easy as pie.

Soon, you will be making such a  decision. 

But first, let try to realize the full truth about the withdrawal period which you will soon be experiencing......