I know what you're thinking. You are thinking that you can't possibly have read that right - but it's true. If you are looking to become a non-smoker, then quitting is one of the last steps you should take. Please allow me to explain.
For most smokers the thought of quitting rarely crosses their minds. That is until one factor or another brings the idea to the forefront of their thoughts. Perhaps they have had a health scare. Perhaps they are finally noticing the toll that smoking is taking on their bodies. Whatever the reason is doesn't matter. What does matter is that in actually taking the steps to quit, education and preparation MUST come before you stop.
Preparation and education is the key to everything, including quitting smoking. You wouldn't attempt to rebuild your car's engine just because you bought a set of tools off the shelf, or sew a dress for your daughter's wedding after picking up your first ever sewing machine, so please don't think that you can buy an off the shelf smoking cessation aid and you are home free. You would have just as much luck getting your car's engine back together properly as quitting smoking. Oh sure, eventually you might get it right, but why waste your efforts when the proper information is available to help you be successful the first time.
The internet is your answer to all questions. Look at the available stop smoking programs and really compare them. Judge each program on the basis of the steps they follow. Always give preference to the ones that go about systematically by first providing information and then preparing you for the goal. Don't get caught by catchy slogans that promise to free you of your habit in a week or ten days. Remember, easy bought is easily lost. You need to do thorough comparison shopping before you buy a program. The program must encourage you to take your time to learn and prepare as opposed to placing your faith in a product that states that there is no effort required on your part.
Nothing is farther from the truth than such a statement. You cannot gain something for nothing. Your effort is most crucial. However, it is important to remember that quitting is the last step. It is the goal, not the path. But the truth is that the path is long and arduous and you need all your strength and determination to travel on it. Your success depends on how well you have prepared for the journey you are going to undertake. Quitting is the easy part - you just stop. So make sure you have all the information you need, before you try to quit smoking, and then there is no way you can fail to achieve your target of becoming a non-smoker.
Best of Luck,
Darren Warmuth
