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What is the meaning of Procrastination, described as the thief of time? The definition of “you are wasting your time if you keep delaying something that must be done instead of doing it today” is attributed to British poet Edward Young (1683–1765).
So many people put off doing things that will ultimately benefit them. One of the most common statements I’ve heard once difficult things have been dealt with is “why didn’t I do this before?”
There are countless reasons for that. Lack of self-belief, diminished self-worth, fear of the alternatives “how will I cope without my fix”…. and apathy. The latter is a form of depression manifesting as a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern, detachment.
Here’s a story about how one person, Bob, dealt with his addiction to smoking cigarettes.
Bob procrastinated no more when he decided to try hypnotherapy to quit smoking.
Previous attempts to give up were unsuccessful.
He knew “at the back of his mind” (subconsciously), that something was nagging him to just get on and do something about the habit, the addiction he no longer enjoyed.
An opportunity was available to him and he took it!
I’ve known Bob for a good many years and the early days were spent going to bars and clubs and drinking and smoking ourselves silly. Seriously, it was great fun!
We’ve both come along way on the health front though, and are enjoying the benefits of paying more attention to taking better care of ourselves. And still having fun!
Probably the most positive health change and the one so many people struggle with, is giving up smoking cigarettes.
If you smoke, you are an addict! That is why the thought of giving up this drug is often so hard.
Deciding to quit is one of the best things Bob has ever done.
I chatted to him about it on the day he celebrated 10 years free of the life limiting addiction.
Here’s what he had to say.
“I had two hypnotherapy sessions; the first was a face to face introductory session, where the hypnotherapist gave me “suggestions” as to what to do over the coming days in preparation for the next session in seven days’ time.
I did keep to those suggestions.
I chose hypnotherapy as I didn’t think I could do it by any other means. Having smoked for 33 years, every time I tried to stop there was always something just “getting in the way”.
I’d tried gum, inhalators and cold turkey, but I think I knew there was something blocking me, so I thought I’d give hypnotherapy a go. To see of that would finally shift the block.
The bonus for me was that the company I work for has a scheme that will pay for employees to take up complimentary therapies – a very enlightened approach to staff wellbeing – so I took advantage of that.
I really didn’t want to smoke any more. I knew that years before I made the decision to try hypnotherapy. I was doing it out of habit. I was rushing to get a cigarette in before the beginning of shifts and was asking myself why I was doing this.
I’d have described myself as a social smoker, always a cigarette with a pint…a habit smoker.
I tried not to smoke in the home as my partner is a non-smoker, but yes, it was the social situations that were hardest, and the need to have my fix before each shift.
When I thought about not smoking; what I would do without being able to smoke, it was the social side that worried me most. Going out for a drink and not lighting up. That seemed very alien.
I even tried changing what drank to see if I’d crave cigarettes less. That didn’t work. I just drank more!
I’d describe the sensation of being hypnotised as not falling asleep, and being aware; not in as much of a “trance” state as I thought I would be. Not at all frightening. I thought it might be but even with that worry I went ahead as it was important to me and I actually felt very relaxed.
The positives of being an ex-smoker are having more money, the health aspects – I’m not as breathless as I was, and I started to think “you can do other stuff”- and doing it!
I went from being a smoker to learning how to make cakes, learning how to use a camera and becoming a become a proficient photographer, and I don’t smell! I can taste things better. I get pleasure from smelling and tasting great teas for example.
Since quitting with hypnotherapy, I’ve never had a craving and it just doesn’t appeal anymore.
Seeing other people smoke…it doesn’t look great.
To people who still smoke but really want to give up I’d say try hypnotherapy. It has to be done for them. Not for their partners, family, children. You need that “want”.
Stop for yourself.
When you do, you will realise it’s simply no longer part of your life.
If you’re like me, you won’t miss it.
Smoking won’t change things. Smoking doesn’t help with stress, anxiety, other issues.
Continuing to smoke enables you to be hooked into the delusion that first 30 second mind altering draw of chemicals into the body does to you”.
Since quitting smoking Bob has realised what a thief of time that addictive activity was.
Bob now has more time to do other things like be creative with his baking, cooking, photography and keeping fit and healthy.
He loves a London shopping fest too, so has more energy to mooch for ages and purchase from his favourite shops now that he’s not breathless anymore and has more spending power.
Purchasing his favourite scents from exclusive Mayfair shops in London is such a treat and he can wear them to enjoy, not to cover up that lingering odious pong so many smokers carry in their clothes, skin, breath and hair.
Ultimately his attitude was “might as well give it a try”. No drama, no messing.
The time was right after several unsuccessful attempts of trying to quite without support and it didn’t take long for him to be free of decades of addiction after only two sessions of hypnotherapy.
Procrastinate no more!
Take a leaf out of Bob’s book and act now.
Here he is….looking fab on his 10th smoke free anniversary! Well done Bob!
Whatever is negatively affecting your life we can look at how to make great positive changes together.