Did you know that we all have everything we need within us to be successful in life? Stop for a moment and think about that, and if you have any doubts in your mind, think about this: when you came into this world, you were a clean slate; you couldn’t walk, you couldn’t talk, you couldn’t even feed yourself…you were completely reliant on another human being to take care of your every need. As you grew and developed the ability to explore your world; to walk, to talk…did you ever sit there in fear, doubting your ability to accomplish these things? Of course not! So why do we do it to ourselves now?
Let me explain: before the age of 9 or 10, the critical, judgmental part of our brain hasn’t kicked in yet, which means, we haven’t learned to fear and doubt our own abilities; anything and everything is possible because for the most part, we live in our subconscious mind, where imagination rules the day.
What exactly is hypnosis, and what does it have to do with anything I’ve just said? Well, the textbook definition of hypnosis is this: “Hypnosis is an altered state of mind, whereby the critical, judgmental part of the mind (i.e. the conscious mind), is temporarily suspended so that positive suggestions for beneficial change, can be offered and accepted without logical or critical interference”. Hypnosis is a natural, normal state that we enter into many times a day; it is relaxing and safe; it is an interactive process between a facilitator and subject; it is a voluntary state – a person cannot be forced into hypnosis, nor can they be forced to do something against their will.
OK, so what does all this really mean and how can hypnosis help you? Hypnosis works because it deals directly with the subconscious mind. You all know what an iceberg looks like…only the tip is visible above the surface of the water. The tip of the iceberg is like the conscious part of our minds (the critical, judgmental part), its only 5% to 10%, but the unconscious mind, the part of the iceberg that is under the water… that is where magic happens! The awesome thing about the subconscious mind is that it doesn’t know the difference between what’s real and what’s imagined (think back to your childhood and how powerful your imagination was), you tell your subconscious something often enough, it WILL make it happen. This can be good news and bad news… we all say things to ourselves that we would never dream of saying to another human being… berating and belittling ourselves…filling our heads with negativity about ourselves. As Henry Ford said, “whether you think you can, or you can’t, you’re right” …just think about that for a second…
So how can hypnosis help, either in your personal life, or your business? Hypnosis can help in any area of life in which we find ourselves struggling, whether it is eliminating fears and phobias, increasing self-esteem or releasing unwanted weight or quitting smoking. Any self-limiting thought or behaviour can be replaced…provided the desire is there to make the changes in your life…it is the subconscious mind that is making the changes, the hypnotist is plain and simple, the facilitator…
When looking for a hypnotist, you want to check around to find one who is well-trained and highly qualified. It is important to understand that not all hypnotists are created equal, so when looking for one, you want to ensure that they have completed the required training, and are certified through one or more of the recognized associations. In North American, look for a professional who has completed their training, and is a member of either ARCH (Association of Registered Clinical Hypnotherapist) or NGH (National Guild of Hypnotists), or better yet, both.
You also want a hypnotist who treats each individual client as just that, an individual. Look for a hypnotist who will take the time to get to know a bit about you; someone who will meet with you for an initial consultation, as this helps both the client and the hypnotist determine whether or not hypnosis is the right modality. You should be completing a comprehensive intake form and the hypnotist should customize each session to the individual. When I see clients, I may have 2 clients coming to me for the same issue, but the root cause of the issue and what is going to motivate one to change the behaviour is rarely the same for the second client. It’s not unusual for a client to come to see me for one thing, but it turns out, during the consultation, that there is a completely different underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Sometimes, taking care of that underlying issue, is the “fix” for so many other issues in the client’s life. Nothing brings me greater joy than watching my clients accomplish their goals, and make real changes in their lives through the power of taping into their subconscious mind.
