| How many times have you heard a smoker say "I | | | | say "I'm as good as you are" but it really means "I do |
| could stop right now if I wanted to!". They sound so | | | | not have what it takes to do that". This is a classic |
| sure of themselves and usually defend their statement | | | | cope out so that someone does not have to put |
| strongly against anyone who begs to differ. Here are | | | | themselves on the line. Another example of kidology |
| three reasons why they are kidding themselves... | | | | and simply a way to make one appear better than the |
| 1. They used the word ‘could' | | | | other person. |
| The word ‘could' does not mean ‘will' and we | | | | 3. They only said it because you said you were quitting |
| use it as a psychological trick when we want to think | | | | smoking |
| we are capable of doing something when deep down | | | | How many times have you heard someone say "I |
| we know we are not. We are simply lying to | | | | could stop right now if I wanted to!" immediately after |
| ourselves and to our friends. Using ‘could' really | | | | someone else announces that they have decided to |
| means "I have no intention of trying" and "I do not think I | | | | quit smoking? It is almost an automatic response from |
| could anyway". So, in the second word of this popular | | | | anyone in the group who has low-confidence and who |
| sentence we see that the person has no intention of | | | | is suddenly threatened by your show of strength and |
| even trying something they expect to fail at. | | | | courage in giving up smoking. Do not be fooled or |
| 2. They used the phrase "if I wanted to" | | | | undermined by them, they are simply lying to |
| A popular phrase that says one thing and yet really | | | | themselves and to you. You are the one showing |
| means completely the opposite. This phrase is a clear | | | | what you are made of by stopping smoking. |
| indication of a person's fear and insecurity. It is used to | | | | |