WARMING UP: How confident are you?
Does confidence matter?
If you feel fully confident about quitting, you shouldn't have much trouble getting started. But if you feel a little nervous-and most people do-don't worry. It's normal to feel that way when quitting. A little nervousness can actually help, by making you more determined to follow your plan. But if you want to boost your confidence, read on.
Set small individual goals-ones you know you can achieve.
Think in terms of a series of smaller goals. These are easier to reach than one huge goal. For example, try quitting for only one day, as practice.
Talk positively about your ability to quit.
Listen to what you say to others and to yourself about quitting. Do you hear yourself saying, "I can't do it"? Make yourself say, "I can quit. My reasons are strong. I can do it."
Gather information.
Try gathering as much information as you can about quitting. Talk to others who've quit. How did they do it? Did they go cold turkey or use a quitting aid? Did they talk with a counselor? Go to a group? How did they stay quit? Maybe the same things will work for you. You can also gather information at the bookstore or library. If you have access to the Internet, you can visit websites on quitting.
Your plan can make up for low confidence.
Lack of confidence keeps many smokers from attempting to quit. If your confidence is low, you can overcome this by forming a solid plan and having faith in your motivation. Your motivation is what drives you forward. To quit smoking, you need motivation. There are many reasons that motivate people to quit. It's important to figure out what yours is.
Every smoker is able to quit. Successful quitting is not about ability, it's about motivation.
Confidence helps, but it's not the only thing. You can build your confidence by practicing with smaller goals, remaining positive, and gathering more information about quitting.
