Robert Tepper Said It Best "There's No Easy Way Out"

Los Angeles, CA - If you're trying to figure out the easy way to stop or quit smoking once and for all consider where you currently reside in your comfort zone.

What does this picture taken from a blog about selling have to do with not smoking anymore?

In this blog, there is a challenge.  50 Traits of Great Salespeople #45: Great Salespeople don't seek the easy way, instead, they pursue golden opportunities outside of their comfort zone.

Are you happy right now? Take a moment and think about it.

If you're reading this blog, more than likely you are looking to do better. Even if you are doing well for yourself, there is always room for improvement.

"The easy way" doesn't exist for people going after success. Great people never seek the "easy way" out.  They go well beyond their comfort zone because your true potential is not a given, but it is the product of hard work, in conjunction, with a phenomenal positive attitude.  You operating at your true potential is also a decision you must make.

Greatness is achieved by going where you are scared to go. When you go after things that seem like a far stretch, you stretch.

Think about one thing that you are truly terrified to do with your life. Now, think about the absolute worst case scenario that can happen. Then, go and do it anyway. I guarantee you that the fear in your mind is far worse than what will actually happen. 

Do not allow your mindset to discourage you and take you away from your truest potential as a human being and a human doing.

Becoming a non-smoker will require you to step out of your comfort zone.  Best part here is that when you step out of the comfort zone you're in, your body and sub-conscious immediately start to reconfigure itself to become comfortable again.  At first you may feel it as resistance, but think of it as adjusting.   

Your mind got you into this mess and now we're going to use it to get you out - get your hands on a copy of How To Stop Smoking Without Killing Anyone.  It's is the Think And Grow Rich of smoking cessation. 

Bad Advice From A Good Doctor - What IS The Best Way To Stop Smoking?

Minneapolis, MN - "What is the most effective way right now for patients who really want to stop smoking?"  This was the question asked to Dr. John Hallberg from Tom Crann of All Things Considered on NPR.

Let's look at Hallberg's answer.

HALLBERG: I wish there was "the way" -- that there was a single way to make this happen. I think that over and over again, the thing that comes up is the importance of setting a quit date; that looking out ahead, something significant on the calendar that becomes the date that that person kind of wraps their mind around that they will quit. And then starting to decrease the nicotine and getting up to that point, considering using a nicotine replacement substance when the time comes, such as a patch or a spray or an inhaler, possibly medication. But there is no single way, I'm afraid.

My two cents on the matter...  here we go...

WEAK ANSWER!

C'mon Dr. Hallberg!  People look to you for more than advice.  They look to you for strength and motivation.  Give it to them and take a stand on something.  Say it load and proud and mean it.

#1.  There is a way to make this happen!  The human brain is so powerful.  We put a man on the moon and created this internet that I'm communicating with potentially millions of people.  Cliche as it may be, where there is a will there is a way.  The power of decision and choice is the most powerful human element   If you can decide to start something then you can decide to stop something.

#2.  Weaning off may not be the best solution.  For some it has worked, but I know for me, it didn't.  What worked was deciding to stop.  When a person makes a real decision to stop smoking, they suddenly find the ability and strength to stop.  Once a person fully, truly and sincerely commits to something the whole world will move to aid in the quest.  If you're truly committed, you'll do it.  Be responsible for your choices.  Yes, smoking, even after it has become an addiction is still a choice.  You are not helpless.

"You are powerful beyond measure."  -Marianne Williamson

#3.  Setting a date and making a big deal out of quitting only adds to the anxiety of the situation and for some just delays the taking of action.  Yoda-ism #1, "Do or do not.  There is no try."  Action is the final key.  Smokers need to go beyond, "this is bad for me" if that was all it took, no one would smoke.  We all know it's bad and we decide to do it anyway.  That's insane.  Period.  If you're going to stop, you need to find a reason bigger than you, commit to that reason and then re-commit every time you feel the urge.  That's all it is you know.  It's just an urge.  With the advent of caller-ID, how many times do you deny the urge to answer the phone?  Just hit the ignore button when nicotine calls.  Simple?  Yes.  Easy?  HELL NO!  Do it anyway...

"But there is no single way, I'm afraid."

He's afraid.  Afraid to speak the truth.  That you, a human being, can stop.  Addiction is powerful.  But it's not all powerful.

Smokers, you're not helpless.  Here's the way - change a couple of mind sets here:

#1 - The time to stop smoking was yesterday.  Take action, decide to stop and commit to it.  Commit to it for a purpose greater than you.

#2 - Addiction is not a reason to keep smoking, it's an excuse to keep smoking.  It's a powerless place to be.  Take the power back.  Every time you light up moving forward, acknowledge that you are choosing to smoke and that you can equally choose NOT to smoke.

#3 - Every time you say "can't" replace it in your mind with "won't"  I can't stop smoking!  I won't stop smoking.  Why won't you stop?  Because I'm addicted to it!

Remember #2, that's just an excuse.  I'm choosing to smoke and I can choose to stop.  I have the power to stop.

Leave quitting out of it.  Quitting may be too big a concept for your addicted brain.  For now, just stop; don't quit.

Are Electronic Cigarettes Safe Or Another Cancer Causing Agent Of Big Tobacco

Reporting from Los Angeles - There may be no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to the e-cigarette.  For smokers in France, a country basically stereotyped with smoking, it may be time to quit smoking.  What will these men do when a piece of their identity is ripped from their ability to live fully?

"The e-cigarette is not an ordinary product," said French Health Minister Marisol Touraine.  "We need to apply the same measures as there are for tobacco."

Interestingly enough, France isn't the only country taking issue with the e-cig.  Many countries have already outlawed e-cigarettes all together.  Countries like Turkey, Brazil, Singapore, Argentina and possible next Italy.  Italian health ministers are recommending a ban on e-cigarettes in public and the sale to minors and pregnant women.

Marisol Touraine also said, "Smoking an e-cigarette is smoking."  I tend to agree with her.  While technically safer than the traditional cigarette, the so called water vapor also contains propylene glycol which is an irritant to the airways and (get ready for this) formaldehyde.  Right!  The liquid that held the two headed pig you saw at the county fair last year.  That formaldehyde.

If you're considering switching to e-cigarettes, hey, why not, it's got to be better than a regular one, but does that make it safe or safe-er?  Standing one legged on a 100 foot ledge is dangerous.  Standing on the same ledge with both feet; still dangerous.

Why should you raise a red flag or at least an eyebrow?  Because Big Tobacco is getting in on the action.  That's why.

Lorillard bought blu ecigs (so Steven Dorf now works for Big Tobacco) and Camel, which was my brand of choice when I was choosing to smoke is selling their e-cigarette called Vuse.

These are the same guys who manipulated nicotine levels to make them more addicting and then denied that cigarettes were addicting.  The same people who hired doctors, actors and opera singers to promote their deadly product.  How long will it be before some Doctor Oz looking guy is featured on an infomercial talking about the "safe and effective" use of the Vuse to quit smoking regular cigarettes?

My advice, is if you're going to stop smoking, then STOP smoking.  Cigarettes, electronic or otherwise are nothing more than a delivery device for nicotine.  So is the patch and the gum.  They even call it that.  NRT.  Nicotine Replacement Therapy.  Sooner or later you're going to have to combat the Nicotine demon.  Rip that sucker off like a band-aid.  Big tobacco has had enough of your money, time and life.

Do yourself a favor and throw 20 bucks at the book that will change your life, how you see yourself as a smoker and give you the tools you need to not quit, but just stop smoking once and for all.

Six Month Notice To Quit Smoking Or Move Out In Layton, UT

Need help getting smoke free?  Try http://www.stopdontquit.com/

Layton, Utah -  Starting in November, residents of the Skyline View Apartments were served not with a 3 day notice to pay rent or quit but instead to quit smoking in six months or move out!  WOW!  In November, smoking in the building or with in 25 feet of the property itself.

You can read the article from the Salt Lake Tribune HERE.

What I want to touch on it this:

There are two residents who are not so pleased with the ultimatum.  Randy Batchelor and his fiancee.  They've been there for 8 years, they smoke and they're pissed.

Unfortunately for them the Davis County Health Dept and HUD are on board with the policy!

Randy's 2 cents on the issue are classic.  "It's a bunch of BS," he says.  "You can't force someone to do something that they're not ready to do."

Randy, they're not forcing you to do anything.  They've presented you with a choice on how you can live in their building.  For example, in my home, visitors are not allowed to stab me in the throat.  It's a policy I have.  If you decide you want to come over, you need to abide by the policy otherwise, you're just not welcome.

Randy is also now starting to look for a more smoker friendly apartment for himself, fiancee and their two teenage children.

Now I will relate this to you dear Randy...  you know kids whose parents smoke are twice as likely to smoke themselves.  So essentially Randy, you're slowly killing your kids by the example your setting and the potential hazards of second hand smoke.  Would you lace small amounts of Drano into your kids OJ?  Frankly, I don't see the difference.  See Randy, if you, a grown man want to commit a slow passive aggressive form a suicide and your fiancee (a grown woman) wants to join you in the downward spiral, more power to you.  But to involve your kids in that...  man, that ain't cool!  And when you going to marry that nice girl anyway?  Keep smoking and the "till death do us part" part will come all too soon.  Maybe you're admitted lack of will power is why you can't step up and put the big ring on her finger.

Sorry for hacking on you Randy, but even though we haven't met, I care about you and your family.  Trust me man, you'll NEVER be ready to quit smoking.  It has nothing to do with being ready.  It has to do with you being a man, recognizing you have an addiction that needs handling.  This addiction is not just hurting you but it is and will continue to hurt the ones you love.  So step up my brother.  If you're not ready to stop smoking for you, then by all means, simply stop smoking for your family.  Dig in and grind it out.  You have the power to do it.  Take it one day at a time.  It'll get easier over time.  Promise!

If you need help kicking the habit in the butt, there is a method with a 100% success rate to stop smoking, create personal power and survive the cravings for ever.  Take a look at www.StopDontQuit.com the only think you need to stop smoking.