At what point do you think someone goes into a trance when going to see a Hypnosis show?
No it’s not when they arrive at the show. It’s not when they buy the ticket. It’s not when they decide to go to the show. It is when they first see the poster advertising the show.
By the time they arrive at the theatre they have entered into the hypnosis show trance. Not as odd as it may sound. There are many types of trance including a working trance, a hobby trance, a family trance or a reading trance ……to name but a few.
Let’s explore what we mean by ‘trance’.
Exploring the trance
Whenever you go inside your own head you’re in a trance. Trance then is a natural state and this explains the benefits of hypnosis and NLP. When you move to a different level of mind you get different results.
What have you done recently to change your trance?
Has work become stale? If so, it could be that you have not changed your work trance recently. This is an interesting thought, so in what ways could we transform our inner worlds?
The obvious ways would be through NLP and hypnosis. These often seem like magic because they are often known to accelerate change.
The less obvious would be:
- Reading
- Writing
- Doing something you have never done before
- Painting
- Studying of any subject
- Singing (this includes singing in the shower)
- Visualisation
Everyday things can create an internal change.
The enchantment of internal change
Why would reading, for example, create a transformation?
When you read fiction you are feeding your brain with different internal words. As the words speak life into action your imagination kicks in. You never quite know how it is going to affect your life.
I sense some doubt.
It is well documented that the fictional ‘West Wing’ TV show, shifted the United States of America. “How?” you ask. In its final season, The West Wing detailed the campaign of a Hispanic candidate who won the election to the presidency. Five years later Mr. Obama became the first black US president.
And it’s no accident that ‘Will and Grace’, the popular situation comedy featuring gay principal characters, influenced changes made to the US Constitution a decade later that allowed gay couples to marry.
Reading a wide variety of books now seems enchanting, doesn’t it?
You have just realised that what you read, listen or watch will affect you at some level. So now try this experiment: stop watching or listening to the news and stop reading any newspaper for 30 days. You will find that you become much more optimistic.
Changing your everyday trance
Let’s say you are ready to take your career to the next level, so here’s an idea to take action to help you achieve this:
- Read at least one book a week that relates to your specialist career for three weeks of each month. For the remaining week of that month read a book that is totally unrelated. These can be paper, electronic or audio books etc. Do this for one year.
- Read or listen to biographical books. Choose successful people from all areas of life.
- Write down one question a day about your career and answer it. Your answer should be no longer than 3 paragraphs.
- Each day take some time to simply visualise where you want to be in your future career.
It’s going to take more than one book to create the shift that most people want to achieve. As I explained at the beginning, you now also have an appreciation of how NLP can bring about rapid change.
Each of these four steps would work independently of each other. However, when combined they enable that significant transformation we are after.
“If it was that simple wouldn’t we all be doing it?” Firstly, I don’t think it’s that simple – yes of course the steps are simple to understand, but the action to implement takes real discipline. Secondly, I don’t think we would all be doing it because it is actually hard work – most people would be happy watching TV with feet up and tucking into junk food. We all face choices in life and, of course, if that’s what someone wants to do then it’s up to them. However, what I am suggesting to you here is that there is an opportunity to take time to invest in yourself for a brighter future.
I am off to read my second book of the week called ‘Think Like a Freak: How to Think Smarter about Almost Everything’ by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levit. Please do let me know what you’re reading by posting the details below. Happy transformation!
With a click of my fingers (Click) you will awake feeling wonderful, feeling refreshed and starting to find yourself becoming successful in life, love and business. Thank you for joining the trance.
Elvis has left the building
Hi John,
I stopped watching or reading about the news several years ago. apart from the occasional skim of headlines, I avoid the news like the plague! The result? Okay, I may not know what is going on in the wider world. But honestly, not being exposed to the constant battery of misery and bad news makes the narrower focus a price worth paying. Yes, I agree, it is much easier to be optimistic and positive without the news. Oh, I have heard something about a referendum of some kind coming up……
Hi Chad, Thank you for sharing, it’s a very simple things to do which seems to make us happier in life.
Hello< John – as a coach and counsellor working with disaffected/disillusioned/burnt out employees from many companies, I'm always on the lookout for inspiring books. to signpost the coachees and clients who are considering going self-employed. A good one I found recently is called: 'How they Started in Tough Times: How 25 companies started and thrived during an economic crisis.'
It's a good read and shows we don't have to have pots of money to invest in making a successful business.
All the best and keep up the good work!
Jen
Hi Jan,Thank you for the recommendation, I will have look at the book.
I’m reading an excellent book called Full catastrophe living by Jon Kabat Zinn. I expect you’ve read it. Mindfulness and self hypnosis. What’s the difference? Just a thought. Trying to put mindfulness into practise. Yes, not watching the news is a great way to get things done too….
I was wondering if there is an simple way for your community members to share their recommendations for reading around NLP, Mindfulness and related subjects? I am taking on the 3 book challenge and would be interested in what other like-minded community members have found interesting and inspiring to broaden my horizons.
Hi Kelly, Good to hear from you. We are in the process of setting up a book club. Watch out for more information coming soon.