"The impossible we can do today. The miraculous takes a little longer." Signs carrying that message became popular during World War II, and the message is equally appropriate for your private war with the cigarette habit.

With our almost-absurdly simple but highly effective method of self-suggestion, you will be able to change your attitude toward smoking. You will be able to do the impossible; you will be able to quit. The "visual image" technique does part of the job; the new habit you learn in this chapter does the rest. You strengthen both by "talking back."

Now you will discover a new way to give yourself frequent, meaningful "concentration breaks." They must eradicate tension, satisfactorily and swiftly. They must also be powerful enough to replace immediately the quick-release-from-pressure sensation that you developed during your years of smoking when you paused to light a cigarette. And finally, these new "concentration breaks" must be able to conquer temptation.

Realize, please, that some of your best friends will not want you to stop smoking. Your achievement, they will unconsciously feel, belittles them. You have the "will power," they'll decide, which they apparently lack. And so they'll be tempting you-perhaps consciously, perhaps unconsciously-to start smoking again. However, on the other hand, you might just encourage some to follow in your footsteps.