Telling yourself that you are ready to quit is an importantstep. But let's be honest: How many times have you made a NewYear's resolution, only to break it by mid-January? And how manytimes have you started a diet, only to sneak in chocolate cakelate at night, when no one's looking?

Breaking an addiction is hard work, and you're going to betempted to cheat. That's why one of the smartest things you cando when you're ready to quit is to tell everyone you know aboutyour decision.

There is one good thing about letting others know about decisionto quit. It makes you more accountable. It lessens down yourchances of taking a sneak puff. Having people who support youall around you, keeps you distracted from that great pull. Andbelieve me it is a lot easier to stick to promises made inpublic than to keep promises made in private.

Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your coworkers—eventell your boss! It's all right for you to be straightforwardwith them. Say that you want to quit, but that you know it'sgoing to be hard and you'll need their support.

Explain to everyone that you've decided to give up yourcigarette habit for good, and let them know that you are eagerfor them to help you. Ask them to keep you honest. That way, ifthey see you trying to sneak a puff on your lunch break they'llintervene and keep you from lighting up. If they notice a packof cigarettes lying on your dresser they'll encourage you tothrow it away.

You can even go one step further and write up a "quit smokingcontract" for yourself. Sign it and hang it in a prominentplace, such as your office cubicle or the fridge door. Letothers see it and read it so that they know how serious you are.I have a quit smoking contract available for you to print anduse if you wish.  Just go to my web site at  and download the free guide, scroll to the lastpage of the manual and print out the contract. Hey, it helps, Iused it and I know many others who have as well.

Why is telling others such a great strategy? Well, no one likesto let others down. No one likes to be seen as failing to dowhat you've promised to do. In this case, being judged by othersis actually a good thing: the more pressure you feel to live upto your decision, the likelier that you are actually going toquit successfully.

Suggestion: It is a good idea if you can get one or two othersto quit smoking with you. Quitting smoking is a lot like loosingweight, so it is best if it can be done in small groups. If yourpartner also smokes then it's a wonderful thing for both of youto take the decision to together so that you can go on backingand encouraging each other.