I’ve been reminded far too many times in recent years how delicate and short life really is.  One day life seems to be moving along just fine and then… well… it’s not. 

So, why does acknowledging that life is short and precious matter so much?  Simple.  It’s a reminder that life is a gift.  How you choose to use that gift is entirely up to you.  You can choose to repeat old habits and patterns that hold you back from living your best life or you can discover how to create a more fulfilling and rewarding life.   

What does your best life mean to you?  Is it a life with deep, meaningful relationships, the ability to enjoy the simple pleasures like being in nature, watching a sunset or sunrise with someone you care about, or travelling and immersing yourself in different cultures and scenery?  Maybe your best life means being of service to others while still having your own incredible experiences.  Whatever it means to you, are you achieving it? If not, read on.  

The first step to getting what you want is to fantasize about what it is you really want.  For many people this first step is incredibly challenging.  For others, they can fantasize about what they want however, there is something unconscious holding them back.  Which is it for you? 

There are many reasons that your unconscious mind may be holding you back.  There are far too many reasons to discuss here so we’ll focus on a few very common reasons and what you can do about it. 

Realize, the unconscious mind is there to protect you and help you get what you want, plain and simple.  Many people ask “If that’s what it is supposed to do then why am I not getting what I want?”  The oversimplified answer is, it’s using ways that you learned at a very young age to help you feel loved and safe.  Let’s use an example.  If, when you were little, you learned that to be a good person you had to please everyone else and that your needs come last (if at all) then your mind is going to try and please people all the time as an adult.  Your unconscious mind will continue to act on that belief until the belief is changed.  This means that if you want to accomplish a goal like excelling in your career or business, first your unconscious mind will make sure that you take care of your family or your friends first (so you feel like a good person) and then if, and that’s a big if, if there is any time or energy left then you will focus on your own goal.   Sometimes this will go so far that you volunteer for all kinds of things to be a good person and there is no time or energy left to focus on your goals.  Sound familiar? 

The question becomes…  How do I change these beliefs that I’m not even aware of?  The answer is to get outside feedback from someone trained to identify the patterns and beliefs you have that are creating obstacles to your success.  Scott McFall, founder of The Master Hypnotist Society (MHS) is often heard saying “If you’re in the bottle, you can’t read the label”.  A hypnotist and/or Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner trained extensively in human behaviour can help you “read the label” and guide you through to success. MHS hypnotists are very well versed in human behaviour and are here to help. 

The first step is to acknowledge that all behaviour, whether useful or not, starts with a positive intention.  In the example above, the person just wants to feel like they are a good person.  Who doesn’t want to feel like they are a good person? 

Often the first step is to use NLP techniques to shift the way the mind is perceiving the situation.  There are many, many NLP techniques used to shift perceptions.  One technique that can be used for a variety of changes is the Phobia Theatre. Although the name implies it is for phobias, it’s uses are diverse.  

The Phobia Theatre is powerful because it allows the individual to be double dissociated from an old unuseful behaviour while changing the way the individual used to experience the behaviour.  In a double dissociated state, the individual is asked to play several versions of a movie of the old behaviour changing the way the movie looks and sounds each time. Next, while still double dissociated, the individual is asked to create a new version of the movie which has them taking steps and achieving their desired outcome.  Once a realistic new movie is watched, the individual is then going to start becoming more associated step by step until they can actually imagine being in all their senses in the new way.  This technique is so powerful, it’s often all a client needs to make a profound shift in their life. 

This technique helps confuse the mind as it goes through the various versions of the old behaviour. Each iteration makes it harder to recreate the original behaviour. It also gives the mind a way to experience the new behaviour and know it’s possible.  

If you are having a challenge that you need help changing, give Fraser Valley Hypnosis a call at 604-394-2094 to book your free screening and discover if hypnosis and NLP are right for you.