Self Hypnosis- part 2

This is the second blog of two parts on self hypnosis, with this month’s focus on the practical learning of how to use self hypnosis to achieve a specific outcome. Also a quick reminder for those of you with google plus please do click on the little icon on my home page and also check out my facebook page too www.facebook.com/lawrencemichaelshypnotherapy. Thank you

To read part one in this blog series; understanding and learning the basics of self-hypnosis, please click here.

Once you are able to enjoyably enter the state of trance easily, in your own unique way through exploring some or all of the techniques described in my last newsletter, the next step is to use this learning state to help you achieve a particular outcome or goal. Allow yourself 20-30 minutes for the following exercise, sitting comfortably in a quiet place. You will also need to print off or copy down the questions to ask yourself outlined in Step 2 below.

Step 1- Set your outcome

To ensure you get the outcome you want start with asking yourself the following questions ‘What will it be like when I have achieved my outcome?’, ‘What will I be doing differently?’ ‘What will the benefits be?’ Try and orientate the answer towards the outcome rather than focusing on what you don’t want. So if you are looking to lose weight you might answer ‘I will look thinner, feel happier and be wearing that dress!’ or if you want to be more confident in certain situations ‘I will be more chatty, feeling more confident and bold’. Now think about and write down all the things that will be different as a result of this change including what this might then lead on to. So for example once you become more confident you might be meeting more people which might lead to having new friends or being in a relationship, if that is what you would ultimately like. Write as much as you can about what will be different for you. Looking through your list pick 1-3 things that are particularly motivating and compelling.

Step 2 – Imprint the learning

The next step is to create a powerful template, in your trance state, for your preferred future outcome and then develop a strategy for how to achieve it.

Read through this completely before trying it so you are clear about what you are looking to do: Once you are in your trance state allow yourself to create in your mind a multi sensory experience of what it will be like when you have achieved the outcome you want, based on what you chose and wrote down in step one. When doing this it is important that you can switch between being the observer of yourself having achieved your outcome and then stepping inside the image of yourself and experiencing it as if you are in that future body and mind. So as an observer be aware of any other people around, your environment, your actions and any sounds. Once you have stepped inside and become the ‘you’ in the future focus on your feelings, move and interact with anyone else there and hear your voice.

As explained in part one of the newsletter, everyone has different and varied dominant senses, so play around with this exercise of observing and then stepping inside of your future outcome scenario, as you may find certain elements will be more powerful and helpful than others.

Once you have practiced this a few times, stay in your trance state, and ask yourself the following questions and with a pen to hand you can then write the answers down. (This is the bit that needs to be printed off or copied down.) Oh and opening your eyes to write your answers down is of course necesarry and fine. You can still be in your trance state and have your eyes open if you want to:

‘What is the first step that I need to make to get to where I want to be?’ Or you can even ask your future self ‘What was my first step to get here?’

Then;

‘What is /was the second step that I need to take?’

And;

‘If I can give myself any magical strength/gift/resource that will help me get to where I want to be what would that be?’ (then closing your eyes imagine yourself being given this gift)

By practicing this exercise regularly and by repeatedly living your ideal future in your mind you will be making it much easier for you to get there for real. Of course we sometimes have strong blocks, limiting beliefs and past experiences that stop us from achieving our goals and in those situations seeing a hypnotherapist or other therapist can help you get past them.

To have a confidential discussion with me about how I may be able to help you in any way please do go to my contact page here.

 By Lawrence Michaels