PART 6: Maintaining Your Course

Stay Accountable

Make a point to stay in touch with your accountability buddy. If you have moved, changed jobs, or just drifted from this person, you may need to find a new person to help you stay accountable. It is okay if this person changes over time—it likely will. It’s more important that you have someone who deeply supports your goals and wellbeing.

There are other people besides your buddy who can help make things easier for you. There are millions of ex-smokers and ex-chewers in this country. Find one among your friends or online on social media or a chat forum. Share your story, whether easy or difficult. Learn how others manage triggers and share what works for you as well.

Feel encouraged by their success. Know that others may benefit from your experience as well. Don’t be surprised if you find others looking to you as living proof that it is possible to make big changes.

If you are a parent, your kids may also learn this lesson too. Just because you have done something for a long time doesn’t mean you are stuck doing it forever. Change is possible—especially if you work with others to succeed.

Today’s Affirmation:

I am not alone. Others can help me, and I can help them.