When choosing to make a significant behavior change like quitting smoking, vaping, dipping/chewing, or using nicotine pouches, we generally have a reason for doing so. If we had no reason, we would not be looking at making the change, right?
There are many reasons why we might be thinking about this: I will save money, I will be healthier, or my family wants me to quit. Certainly, these are just a few of the many reasons why you may be thinking about quitting, and while any of these are well and good on their own, they typically aren’t enough to motivate change.
For example, let’s look at “I will save money” as a reason to change. On the surface, it’s a good one! We all want to have enough money to do the things that are important to us and that we find enjoyable.
Quitting will allow us to save the money we would have spent on tobacco, therefore having it available for other things. Still, all good. But there are many ways we can “save money,” and so if this is the goal, it may be much too general as a reason to quit, thereby reducing its impact.
The idea of saving money is a good one, but for most of us there just isn’t enough emotional impact there for it to truly motivate us.
Now, what happens when we dig deeper and get more specific? Here are some questions to help us dig down into this:
- What does “saving money” mean to you?
- How will having more money available allow you to achieve the things that are most important to you?
- What are the things in life that you value most highly?
- What does having more money allow you to do that will reduce your stress level and enjoy life more?
- How will this impact relationships in your life?
Let’s look at one possible scenario that answers these questions:
“Saving money to me means that I am disciplined financially, thereby making my money work for me rather than me working for my money. Having more money available to me will allow me to do lots of important things in my life such as keeping up with the necessities like rent, utilities, medical bills, and food. But it will also allow me to take a little of that saved money and do something fun for my family, which will make me feel good. I really value taking care of my family, and this will make it easier to do so.
Plus, having some money to have fun with my family makes me feel good as a parent, and I love the special memories that it helps to create. My immediate and extended family is what I value most highly in life. Not having to worry so much about paying bills and how we are going to get by will reduce my stress, allowing me to be my fun-loving and positive best self. This makes me feel good, and helps me to stay calm, cool, and collected while I support those I love most - my family!
When I think about it like this, it is clear to me that being more financially disciplined is a priority. And, while there are many good reasons to quit tobacco, this is the one that gives me the real motivation to make this change!”
The previous scenario is a combination of many conversations I have had with patients over the past 20 years. These are real reasons that people have shared.
Considering the questions in bold above to dig deeper into your reason for quitting, how would you respond regarding your reason for making this change?
