But...

All too often we find ways to sabotage our quit plan. We find our “But” and use it as an excuse to continue smoking. You know smoking is bad for you, as well as your family. But we say things like, “I’d quit, but I had a stressful week at work.” “I’d stop smoking, but my family is acting crazy right now.” “I’ll stop right after finals.” These are all excuses, or crutches, that keep you tied to the habit. If you let the circumstances of the situation rule the outcome, you will never quit.

Has hard as it might seem, putting on a “no matter what” attitude will enable you to quit successfully. This includes when you slip and smoke. Feeling like a failure from one little slip can kill a quit journey. Maintain the attitude that you are a non-smoker, having one cigarette does not change that.

No more excuses, now is the time for you to finally put the habit down. Start by creating a quit plan and discussing it with your family and your doctor. Describing your plan to your family, and asking for their understanding ahead of time, will help you deal better with the stress that quitting causes in these relationships. Talking to your doctor ensures you are choosing the right strategy for you. Put the "But"s and the Butts out for good!