Since my separation I have delved into the landscape of self improvement and wellness. Making quantifiable changes on a regular basis.  

Some of these changes have come quick and easy.  Most have not.  They have come through many nights and days of obsessive self reflection and honesty.

Lately I have found myself turning a corner in my life.  I’ve become frustrated with and scared of, becoming complacent.  Whether it’s work or my personal life, I have noticed that there are more massive, life altering adjustments that I have to make.

I have always wanted to work for myself.  Call my own shots and determine my day.  I no longer like or find beneficial, the daily drudge of working for a corporation.  Where the balance of prosperity is solely focused on it’s own growth.

Life shouldn’t be a live to work situation and I have found myself reflecting on that point for the last year or so.  There has to be a better way.  There has to be a formula that will allow me the freedom to enjoy my kids, my personal life and prosper financially.  

I’m smart, motivated and I believe I have a massive well of untapped potential.

Most recently I decided to really challenge myself .  I felt like I really hadn’t pushed to identify the underlying issues that are really holding me back.  

As long as it took to figure out those issues, it was a simple answer that came to me.  

Being the hyper competitive person I am, I decided to really test my capabilities.  Loosing weight was tough, but it was also familiar, especially being an athlete as a kid.  Getting hold of my temper and caging/managing some anger issues, again was tough but not insurmountable.

This change, I decided, was going to be massive.  It was going to rattle my core and it was going to be an all round life changer.

I was going to quit smoking.

I had been a smoker for 20 years.  

I was up to a pack a day for the last 10 years at least.  

I had tried to quit periodically for the past 6 years or so.  I had used the gum, the patch, the breath spray and anything else that was supposed to curb cravings.  But none of it stuck.  I would quit for a week or two, but inevitably find myself huffing on a cigarette.

This time, I decided was going to be the last time.  One night I sat down and worked out a cessation plan that was going to get me smoke free within 3 months. Having this tailored plan, gave me hope that I had this under control.

This was my plan:

First Month  5 cigarettes a day 1^st after wake up 2^nd mid morning 3rd after lunch 4^th mid afternoon 5^th Before bed

  Second Month 3 cigarettes 1^st after wake up 2^nd after lunch 3^rd before Bed

Third Month 2 cigarettes 1^st After wake up 2^nd before bed

Last week if needed 1 cigarette every  other day.

With the cessation plan laid out.  A big old cup of Self determination mixed with a dose of mental fortitude, I figured I had this in the bag.  Nothing was going to stop me.  

To be continued…