Yes, there are two ways to take that sentence. Take whatever meaning is most relevant to you!

If you really want to quit smoking this year, the key to making the change stick is being ready to quit. Make a conscious decision. Take into account your thinking and your true desires. Prepare and then take action.

If you simply said youd quit at midnight on Dec. 31, without any planning or preparation - Stick that resolution in the garbage!

First off, quitting at midnight is a bad idea. My husband and I decided to quit on New Years Eve. It was a disaster! We didnt plan or prepare at all. He started quitting at 10:00pm and began to hassle me about quitting shortly after butting out what was his last cigarette. I on the other hand was getting in as many smokes as I could before the dreaded stroke of midnight.

Needless to say, its a miracle our relationship survived that evening! My quitting didnt stick either. I wasnt ready. I wasnt prepared. I thought I just had to decide, to pick a date. Actually, I really didnt think much about it at all. Then, being at a dance, my attention was not on the critical task. My resolve was weakened, almost gauranteeing failure.

Quitting is a big deal. Smoking is a regular part of your life. Stopping takes some motivation and planning. Acknowledge the role cigarettes play in your life. Consider the time and attention you spend planning smoke breaks, then taking them. You need at least as much focus and clarity around a plan to quit.

Ask yourself:

Why do I smoke?
How else can I get that need met?
What do I want my life to look like?
What will it be like to be a non-smoker?

Answer these questions and youll have the framework for your strategic plan to quit.

Then get tactical:

When will I quit?
Who can I get to support me, to call when temptation strikes?
What will I do when I get a craving?
How will I acknowledge my accomplishments?

Now act on this plan. Make your resolution to quit, stick. I want you to keep your promise to yourself.

Ann-Marie Latoski

As former Marketing Director for the printed SuperPages in Canada, Ann-Marie Latoski is known for her vision, passion and business success.

As a leader, Ann-Marie continuously fused loyal, dedicated, successful teams, motivating others with her open, down to earth communication style. At the same time, she was lauded for her own innovative pricing, policy work and product development and for using her entrepreneurial spirit to improve the quality of work life for all employees through mentorship and coaching program involvement.

Having experienced the upheaval of the telecommunications industry in the late 80?s and 90?s Ann-Marie became remarkably adaptive. Enduring and managing her teams through tremendous growth, both ends of the directory business takeover boom, the rise and fall of industry competition and the loss of Yellow Pages brand she is highly qualified to speak about remaining sane at the office.

Ann-Marie understands the complexity of management, the frustrations of the workplace, the impacts of change on people and the challenges of balancing work priorities with home life.

As a self-described creature and now student of habits, Ann-Marie uses her coaching and writing to help individuals make positive changes in their lives. Respect and self-care are her starting points for creating individual strategies at work and home.

With her Bachelor of Commerce and as a graduate of the Coach Training Program at CoachU, Ann-Marie is a dynamic leader, speaker, author and coach. She revels in mixing her business experience with life lessons to assist others build integrity and find passion in their lives.

Ann-Marie lives happily in Calgary, Alberta with her husband and their 3 boys.