The Ultimate Guide to Breaking Bad Habits in Seven Words
Written on
Chapter 1: The Journey to Quitting Bad Habits
At one point in my life, I found myself smoking cigarettes—a habit I later recognized as detrimental. During my childhood and teenage years, I had no inclination to smoke. However, once I entered college, I was astounded by how easily I could adopt unhealthy behaviors, particularly while mingling with sophisticated peers who casually offered me cigarettes.
Initially, I was fine with being a smoker. Yes, it drained my wallet, left me smelling unpleasant, and I was fully aware of the health risks. But I convinced myself it helped alleviate my stress and anxiety. I thought I could quit whenever I chose.
My first serious attempt to quit occurred during a visit from my sister. Upon catching me smoking, she wasted no time in confronting me:
Sis: “What on earth are you doing? You really need to stop smoking!”
Me: “I know, I know. It’s not good for me; I get it.”
Sis: “That’s not the point. Some people may look cool smoking, but you? You look ridiculous.”
Ah, the wisdom of my sister. She didn't seem overly concerned about my health, but she definitely wanted to avoid the embarrassment of having a smoking sibling.
I decided to give quitting a shot, assuming it would be a straightforward process. However, I quickly learned that the addictive nature of cigarettes was no joke. My attempts to quit were futile; I often lasted less than a day.
The Turning Point
Fast forward a couple of years, I was working to expand a family business, still clinging to my smoking habit. Every hour, I found myself outside our office, enjoying a cigarette. This frustrated one of the business owners, Jay, who had a knack for seething whenever he saw me.
Then, as the new year approached, Betty, another owner, announced her intention to quit smoking. Conveniently, I had recently started dating someone who was staunchly against smoking. While our relationship was still new, I could manage to avoid cigarettes for a few hours. But as things progressed, the pressure mounted.
Equipped with nicotine patches, I returned to the office on January 2nd, determined to resist smoking. News of our quit plans spread throughout the office, and I was sure there was a betting pool on how long we would last.
I spent the first two hours at my desk, anxiously watching the clock. My internal dialogue revolved around making it to noon, thinking that if I could just get through the morning, I would reward myself with a cigarette later. This was, of course, a flawed strategy.
Suddenly, Jay appeared in my office.
Jay (surprisingly friendly): “I heard you’re quitting smoking. That’s fantastic.”
Me (unsure of his intentions): “Thanks, Jay.”
Jay: “You might not know, but I used to smoke too. I tried quitting multiple times, but I would always convince myself that having just one wouldn’t hurt.”
Me (curious): “Okay…”
Jay: “But that one cigarette would lead to two, three, and before I knew it, I was back to smoking again. Remember, there’s no such thing as one.”
There Is No Such Thing as One
Those seven words changed everything for me. It was a simple yet profound realization. If you truly want to stop a detrimental behavior, you must commit to not engaging in it at all.
It’s easy to think you can indulge in moderation or just one last time. But often, “one” leads to a slippery slope.
Consider a bad habit you want to eliminate—whether it’s smoking, drinking, or even something like snacking on cookie dough (no judgment here!). There are countless resources available to help you quit: support groups, products, and medications. However, the most important thing to remember is those seven magic words: there is no such thing as one.
As long as you avoid that first one, you are making strides toward breaking your bad habit. You’re improving and moving forward.
Thank you, Jay, wherever you are seething.
Chapter 2: Practical Tips for Quitting
In this video, titled "The EASY Way to Break ANY Habit (or Addiction)," you'll discover effective strategies for overcoming your worst habits, giving you the tools needed for lasting change.
Watch "How to QUIT your WORST Habit TODAY (I’m FREE After 20 Years!)" to hear inspiring stories and practical tips that can help you break free from your bad habits for good.