Some part of me recognizes that, and I think that was part of what Allen Carr was trying to say. Well actually, he did say it in so many words. If you quit with a feeling of doom and gloom, "I suppose I can try it, but it probably won't work", or " if it doesn't happen this time, then I'll figure something out", it's just not going to work. I was so excited when I quit, using that book. "Omg, I don't have to smoke anymore!". "I just walked that whole hill without being even slightly winded!". "I didn't even realize that had a smell". "I'm so glad I'm free".
As a pessimist, I struggle with running with the positive. But it really is necessary. There are other areas of my life where I have succeeded with sheer determination, failure was just not an option. I need to apply that to quitting. I've made other lifestyle changes, I need to apply that to quitting (minus the 80/20 rule). But on top of that, I need to stop looking at the whole mountain, and just listen to the wind in the trees as I walk. Stop wondering how far up the summit is, and listen to my feet as they touch the ground. The view at the top is going to be worth the time it takes to get there.
Find the thing you think you will love most about not smoking, and run with it. I think it's that I'm happier on the other side. I'm not sure why, but it seems to bring back happy emotions from childhood. I don't know how to explain that, but it reminds me of being a carefree 10 year old. I'm also not wasting roughly three hours a day mindlessly lighting cigarettes. Annnnd now my rock solid plan is becoming stronger by the day. I'm still building the bricks though. Ugh, story for another day, but there is so much symbolism going on in my life right now that it's crazy 
There are no coincidences.
