Air - 11:00 pm on Jan 6, 2010 (gmt 0)

I quit about 8 years ago, and my experience pretty much mirrors yours Brett. As far as the getting smarter part, I also found that, but not initially, as a matter of fact I thought for the first six months or so after quitting I got dumber. I can only describe it as a brain cloud, everything seemed a little hazy and slow. I think there is real physical change in the brain that accounts for this, nicotine establishes neural pathways in the brain that take a bit of time to re-establish naturally, and more efficiently than nicotine can once your stop getting your regular fix.

As for finishing things and doing a more complete job, for me, I found that was because my work wasn't constantly interrupted by the next smoke break, but there is definitely more continuity to everything you do once you quit. Your day is no longer broken up into tiny little segments.

If you are a smoker, I encourage you to quit, as Brett said the benefits are not just in your long term health, but right here, right now, quality of everyday life. Today is the first day of the rest of your life indeed.