I, for one, just don t know if any particular person ought to choose today to clean up his or her act. You see, behavior change is way too quirky to be predictable. There are dozens of theories, hundreds of books, and tens of thousands of how-to articles that offer advice to health professionals who want to help their patients live healthier lives. Some of these ideas and techniques are quite effective but, ultimately, it s up to each unique individual to make changes in a unique, individual way. After a quarter century of medical practice, I still can t say with any certainty when or how people will succeed at changing their lives, no matter how solid the advice and sound the counseling I bestow upon them.
People often do change, but in their own manner and in their own time.
Studies have shown that when someone does finally quit smoking it s after an average of 16 prior attempts. In retrospect you could say that the person was really ready to quit this time, but that s just begging the question. Though they may give rationalizations, quitters tend to be no better able to explain how they managed to kick their habit than their doctors are. Maybe, just maybe, this time you ll do it. After all, it is the dawning of a brand new age.