Learning effective imagination and positive imagery
You may imagine that hypnotherapy is very difficult or takes years to learn to do. Although there are some very skilled techniques, there is a lot you can do for yourself. It is just a little bit of practise.We have talked before about how imagining things can help you make serious changes to your behaviour and your life. Like most things, some practise will make you better at these imaginings and there are some things you can do to make the process more effective.
Choose what you imagine
First, what are you going to imagine? It doesn’t have to be true, but it does have to be something which you want. Always make your suggestions positive. Choose to imagine doing something, not “not doing” something. Here is an example which will show you why. Say you want to give up smoking, imagine yourself not smoking; I bet you are thinking of a cigarette. Now imagine yourself feeling fresh air in your lungs, clean clothes, tasting food – fill your mind with all these good things; I bet you haven’t thought of that cigarette nearly so much.
Keep positive
So think about what you want and every time you find yourself saying I want not to feel (anxious, stressed, nervous,) replace that with a positive word: I want to feel (calm, relaxed, confident). Write the words down if you want. Now put those words into phrases, and repeat them. Do this several times a day for some time. Repetition works. Think about how advertising works, no one is seduced into buying something on one viewing. It takes time to seep into the subconscious. It’s the same with your positive suggestions.
Picture it
Pictures work so use them. Again think about advertising; the images, the colours, the logos, the happy attractive people, it all adds up to something which influences us at a profound level. So begin to build up your pictures. If you are making a positive picture of yourself then pay attention to everything you want to be and imagine you are creating that ideal – do this in as much detail as you can and make it clear.
Now use sound. Add positive sounds to your image. This might be yourself speaking in a clear firm voice. Or imagine someone you really admire praising you for achieving what you want. Again remember that repetition works. So bring you picture to mind as often as you can every day.
