How to Hypnotize Yourself

by John Olsen

You want to change, you try to change, you wish you knew how to make it work. Well, take heart, here's a start.

We want to make a really good decisions and stick to them with all our might, while we wish and hope it will work this time. And then, lo and behold, the old patterns emerge and we fall right back into our old behaviors and habits.

Well, if making a resolution, or a commitment isn't enough to create permanent change, what is it going to take? How do we break free from the beliefs and thoughts that run amok in our consciousness? Take heart, there is a way. Actually there are a few ways, here is one.

Spend some time imagining that you already have success at what you desire. If you are going to stop smoking, imagine as vividly as possible, that you are already a non-smoker. This may sound too simple, but it really has an impact on your mind/body connection if you do it right.

First - relax. Get quiet and still. Just before sleep or first thing in the morning upon awakening are excellent times.

Second - Create every detail you can in this future moment. The colors, the emotion, the smells, the physical sensations. Make it real! Your subconscious does NOT know the difference between a real and an imagined event.

Third - Put yourself into this future moment and feel it as a NOW moment. What resources do you now have as a result of your new decision? What other positive changes have happened in the process?

Fourth - Look back at the past from this future moment. Notice what it feels like to know that the old behavior is in the past. Allow yourself to feel as if that decision was made long ago and you are comfortable with this new lifestyle.

Fifth - Do it again. Spend just five minutes once or twice a day in this state with this new belief and it will begin to plant the seeds necessary to create change. It will help to quiet the self-defeating inner voice that used to remind you that you couldn't do it, and it will begin to make changes in your physical body that will support the change.

For instance - Let's say you want to get a better job, promotion, or have more success in your business. You imagine that you already have it and you take notice of the resources you have in this future moment. You may begin to notice a talent or skill you have that will lend itself to this new job. You might find that your personal life is more peaceful and fulfilling with the pride and financial reward of your new position.

When you look back at the past, you become aware of an important move you made that created this opportunity. You experience your body taking on a new posture, standing tall, confident, sure of yourself. You might notice yourself speaking in public with confidence and spontaneity. And since it has already happened in your subconscious, your body responds now by walking taller, speaking more clearly and confidently, remembering details and names.