Quitting smoking—or any other bad habit—is so difficult because the cravings of the moment always win out over the benefits of the future. Unless . . . you figure out a way to fight the now with the NOW by making the consequences just as immediate as the cravings. When it comes to smoking cessation, NOW just may be an acronym for No Other Way!
Case in point: Zelda had smoked for decades when she impulsively decided to quit. Click on the audio player below to listen to this twelve-minute Radiolab segment that explains her uniquely compelling and effective methodology. Even if you’re not a smoker, this is practical wisdom that may help you triumph over any kind of self-defeating behavior.
NOTE: The deal that Zelda made with herself is called a Ulysses contract. (Closed circuit to Ulysses: Why didn’t you just put beeswax in your own ears? Hello?)
Sorry, Sirens, I have to cancel our date. I'm tied up at the moment. Love, Ulysses
ABOUT RADIOLAB
Radiolab is a radio program broadcast on public radio stations. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, each hour-long show focuses on a topic of a scientific and philosophical nature, through stories, interview, and thought experiements.
To subscribe to Radiolab podcasts for free, click here to jump to the Radiolab website, then click on “Podcast” just to the right of the RADIOLAB logo.
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
Here is a three-minute video that introduces you to Phil and his book. Click here to buy Sixty Seconds. Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories. Click here to read unsolicited testimonials from readers. Learn more by visiting the official Sixty Seconds website.
Sixty Seconds was one of three finalists in the General Interest/How-To category at the 12th annual Visionary Awards presented by COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) in Denver on June 27, 2009.
Tags: quit smoking
March 14, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Phil what a great find. That’s so much more powerful than simply a quit smoking strategy. That’s a big chunk of awareness we can apply to just about any struggle in life :-O Thanks for the post.
March 14, 2011 at 12:49 PM
My pleasure, Suzanne. I just added that point to the post. Thanks!