Face the Facts

The first step to get motivated to stop smoking is to face the facts. There are hundreds of statistics out there that say smokers face horrible diseases, shorten their life span, and are miserable people. These facts don't mean anything unless you make them personal. Get motivated to stop smoking by going to visit your doctor. Ask him what you will personally face if you don't quit. It may be lung cancer, throat cancer, heart disease or any other number of problems. Smoking affects everyone differently, so knowing where your weaknesses are can help you find the willpower to quit and make yourself a better you. Your doctor can also give you information and support to help you quit smoking and may even be able to give a prescription that will help you deal with the addictive affects of nicotine. Face your personal facts and you'll find the willpower to quit.

Make a Plan

One reason people fail to quit smoking is they don't have a plan. Motivate yourself to quit smoking by putting a plan in place before you start. What will you do on your bad days? What can you do that will have the same calming affects of nicotine that don't have the same harmful side affects? What will you do to reward yourself as you reach your goals in quitting? What will you do if you have a relapse? Who is apart of your support system and who can you call on to help? Having a plan in place will motivate you to take the necessary steps to quit for good. Having a plan helps you stay motivated to quit even if you mess up and succumb to the temptation to smoke again. Stay motivated and make a plan to get you through the rough spots. It's going to be a rough ride and the best way to stay motivated to ride it out is to be mentally prepared with a plan.

Get Rid of Temptation

If you have decided to quit cold-turkey, stay motivated by throwing out your cigarettes. If you have decided to use a step program that lets you down a little easier, stay away from friends and places that may tempt you into a relapse. Stay motivated to quit by removing the negative influences and temptations that will make it difficult to do so. Staying motivated to quit smoking is much easier if you don't have temptation staring you in the face day in and day out. Temptation doesn't make you stronger if you cannot overcome it. While you are in the early stages of quitting, stay motivated to quit by removing the temptation to smoke from your life. You will still have cravings and you will still feel the need for cigarettes, but if the temptation isn't there, you will be more motivated to keep yourself in check.

Your Body Knows

Stay motivated to quit by paying attention to how you actually feel. Most people report feeling better or much healthier within the first 24 - 48 hours from when they stop smoking. Your body knows you are making the right decision, so even though you may be craving cigarettes in your mind, your body will register how much better it feels and if you pay attention to it, you'll be more motivated to continue down the path of quitting for good.