some recent quitter thoughts
When I first met Steve online, when I was looking
for inspiration to quit smoking, we chatted in the
cog chatroom. I had some ideas about myself –
ie, that I had to do this quit “in my own way.”
It is the way I am.. I like to learn from everyone,
but ultimately figure things out for myself, find
my own way. I thought it would be the same way
with quitting smokes.
Steve asked me if I used recipes when I cook,
and I said no. Not only don’t I use recipes, I
rarely cook; and I like to make it up as I go.
But come to think of it.. I thought.. I have used
recipes on occasion; and when it was a good
recipe, and I followed it exactly, the results
were excellent, delicious, successful.
Steve proposed to me that the cogquit method
was like a recipe.. it was time tested, it was
exact, and if a person followed it, the quit
was bound to be successful. He suggested
that it was a ’sure thing.’
I realized that if I was serious about wanting to
quit, I really ought to try this recipe, and take
advantage of Steve’s willingness to coach me
through it. How could I pass this up?
That last part — Steve’s coaching — for me was
the greatest gift; and I can’t say thank you
often enough to him. For all of you on the list
who are just beginning your quit, or still building
up to it, my advice:
1. start the timer exercise, whether you have
quit smokes already or not; and do it exactly the
way Steve devised it. Email him if you have any
questions, and keep at it until your questions
are answered.
2. take advantage of his availability.. some day
he may (deservedly) be charging money for his
time; he is a goldmine of encouragement and
wisdom for anyone who seriously wants to be a
nonsmoker.
3. if you want to be a nonsmoker, and are
willing to do the ‘work’ — easier than coughing –
you will succeed. Warmest wishes and happy
new year to all.. and again my humblest most
grateful thanks to Steve. Annie (quit 8-19-05)