April 11, 201610 yr The first time I read Allen Carr's Easyway, I remember reading the bit about waking up in the morning and saying "Yippee! I am a nonsmoker!" and thinking it was just plain goofy. I was wrong. Last night I listened to a podcast featuring Dave Asprey interviewing neuroscientist Robert Cooper. Cooper spoke of the importance of "tripping the switch" in your brain during the first twenty-two minutes of the day. This time is vital as it marks the most significant shift from the subconscious to the conscious during the day. What you think and how you think during the first twenty-two minutes in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. Thought processes change throughout the day and it is impossible to plan for all the external factors that affect our mindset. However, "aiming the brain" in the right direction first thing in the morning sets a positive path for the rest of the day. This goes against my nature, but out of respect to Mr. Carr...YIPPEE!
April 11, 201610 yr I love this! Totally spot on. You can change so many aspects of your life (including reinforcing being a happier non smoker) in the morning. Upon waking to be think of how thankful you are, even if it's just one thing. Just doing this one thing can seriously transform your day and eventually it becomes habit and you can lift your moods very naturally to face each day with a positive mindset. x
April 11, 201610 yr Great info Boo , I'm going to use this reinforcement technique when I have my coffee sans ciggie in the morning no matter how grumpy I'm feeling lol
April 11, 201610 yr Boo...thanks for the reminder... after 52 years...I'm a fantastic non smoker.. Great post...
April 11, 201610 yr Author I love this! Totally spot on. You can change so many aspects of your life (including reinforcing being a happier non smoker) in the morning. Upon waking to be think of how thankful you are, even if it's just one thing. Just doing this one thing can seriously transform your day and eventually it becomes habit and you can lift your moods very naturally to face each day with a positive mindset. x That's the thing right there. So much of what we learn in the process of quitting smoking is applicable to so many more aspects of life. When I decided to quit and really commit to the process, my primary focus was on simply freeing myself from cigarettes. I had no idea the process would lead me to become interested in mindfulness and consciousness expansion and neuroscience. Quitting is awesome. I hope y'all will pardon my tendency to geek out over all this. It's still new to me.
April 11, 201610 yr Make sense. I wake happy. Mrs is pissed. Stays that way all day. Totally. Just think of the first thing you each see waking up.
April 12, 201610 yr We love your excitement about quitting! Attitude makes such a difference! I tried to stay upbeat and positive in the beginning. I had a few low moments (cried on the floor like a baby one day), but overall was so happy to quit!!! It changed my life - I gained so much!
April 12, 201610 yr Author Can you share or PM the link to the podcast you were listening, too? https://www.bulletproofexec.com/robert-cooper-rewiring-brain-creating-new-habits-261/
April 12, 201610 yr That's the thing right there. So much of what we learn in the process of quitting smoking is applicable to so many more aspects of life. When I decided to quit and really commit to the process, my primary focus was on simply freeing myself from cigarettes. I had no idea the process would lead me to become interested in mindfulness and consciousness expansion and neuroscience. Quitting is awesome. I hope y'all will pardon my tendency to geek out over all this. It's still new to me. You geek away! You expect to just be a non smoker. The reality is you gain a ton of insight which will support you throughout life. Not in the woe is me way we suspect of quitting - but it's almost like our minds have time to process things differently. Actually having lots more time available means you have time to try new things too :) So geek away, love it! x
April 12, 201610 yr Guess what I thought about immediately after hitting snooze? :) (actually, I've practiced "setting the intention of the day" for a while, just wasn't aware of the 22 min factor)
April 12, 201610 yr Author You expect to just be a non smoker. The reality is you gain a ton of insight which will support you throughout life. Not in the woe is me way we suspect of quitting - but it's almost like our minds have time to process things differently. Actually having lots more time available means you have time to try new things too :) So geek away, love it! x Quitting has truly been an unpredictable ride. I started out filled with dread, doubt, and insecurity. Now I'm all wide-eyed and excitable about the benefits of quitting and the lessons learned from the process. A geeking I will go...
April 13, 201610 yr Author Thank you. You're welcome. I have downloaded several podcasts that I haven't gotten around to listening to yet. If any are particularly good and relevant to this forum in any way, I will pass them along.
April 13, 201610 yr Makes sense. I would get up, make coffee, check facebook and email, and make my nope pledge. I never thought I'd be able to give up that first smoke of the morning, but the first day I quit I got up and came on here and typed NOPE, and didn't smoke all day. So I guess that 22 min thing has some credence to it. Which reminds me, I should start doing my nope pledges again. I stopped for some reason and just didn't pick it back up again.
April 13, 201610 yr Author Makes sense. I would get up, make coffee, check facebook and email, and make my nope pledge. I never thought I'd be able to give up that first smoke of the morning, but the first day I quit I got up and came on here and typed NOPE, and didn't smoke all day. So I guess that 22 min thing has some credence to it. Which reminds me, I should start doing my nope pledges again. I stopped for some reason and just didn't pick it back up again. Some proactive vibes and a big cup of NOPE...Good way to start the day.
August 9, 201610 yr The first time I read Allen Carr's Easyway, I remember reading the bit about waking up in the morning and saying "Yippee! I am a nonsmoker!" and thinking it was just plain goofy. I was wrong. Last night I listened to a podcast featuring Dave Asprey interviewing neuroscientist Robert Cooper. Cooper spoke of the importance of "tripping the switch" in your brain during the first twenty-two minutes of the day. This time is vital as it marks the most significant shift from the subconscious to the conscious during the day. What you think and how you think during the first twenty-two minutes in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. Thought processes change throughout the day and it is impossible to plan for all the external factors that affect our mindset. However, "aiming the brain" in the right direction first thing in the morning sets a positive path for the rest of the day. This goes against my nature, but out of respect to Mr. Carr...YIPPEE! I try to put positive thoughts in my mind before night sleep as well as the morning reverie. I do this nearly every day and have done for many years, Putting myself on the Good Foot. In reading this today, I never realized when I smoked that lighting up first thing was not only likely killing me, it was re-enforcing the addiction in so many ways and circumventing good intentions for myself.
November 19, 20196 yr On 4/11/2016 at 4:31 AM, Boo said: The first time I read Allen Carr's Easyway, I remember reading the bit about waking up in the morning and saying "Yippee! I am a nonsmoker!" and thinking it was just plain goofy. I was wrong. Last night I listened to a podcast featuring Dave Asprey interviewing neuroscientist Robert Cooper. Cooper spoke of the importance of "tripping the switch" in your brain during the first twenty-two minutes of the day. This time is vital as it marks the most significant shift from the subconscious to the conscious during the day. What you think and how you think during the first twenty-two minutes in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. Thought processes change throughout the day and it is impossible to plan for all the external factors that affect our mindset. However, "aiming the brain" in the right direction first thing in the morning sets a positive path for the rest of the day. This goes against my nature, but out of respect to Mr. Carr...YIPPEE! bump Here is the podcast Edited November 19, 20196 yr by Sazerac
November 19, 20196 yr Author I do enjoy a trip down memory lane from time-to-time. Three-and-a-half years removed from deciding to quit and now not smoking feels far more normal than lighting one up would. However, back in the early days every milestone felt huge and every time I accepted a new way of thinking it felt like an epiphany. The challenges encountered early on in a quit only set the stage for moments of satisfaction and victory. Edited November 19, 20196 yr by Boo
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