Keep Those New Year’s Resolutions with Hypnosis
By Kevin Linehan
Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution? Have you ever made one that resulted in permanent change? When you make a New Year’s resolution there is no doubt, you’re motivated, you’re excited, and you want it to happen. The first few days or even weeks are successful and it seems that everything you need is in place for successful change… so why do resolutions tend to be forgotten so quickly? More importantly, how can the change you desire be made permanently? What’s missing? It’s simple; your subconscious mind does not share your conscious goal.
In past columns I have discussed the various conscious and subconscious activities of the mind. The subconscious mind operates on programming just like a computer. The programming is created using memories, experiences and beliefs. A habit is the result of your subconscious programming being run over and over again so that it becomes automatic.
Here is one way in which a habit is formed. Let’s say you are watching television and you begin to feel a little bit lonely. At the same time there is a commercial playing that shows a group of people eating out while having a great time. Subconsciously you may associate the eating with the fellowship of the group. Without thinking about why you may find yourself in the kitchen making a big bowl of popcorn. This could happen although you are not physically hungry; after all it is the emotional need that is being satisfied. Just eating the popcorn will take you mind off of the loneliness for a short while. This response to the need, if it happened just once would not be a big deal but what if the loneliness continues for an extended period? Before long the simple act of turning on the television may trigger the desire for popcorn. Once the response to the trigger is established as a habit it has become automatic. The loneliness may have been short lived but once the program is written and the trigger (watching television) is set the habit will remain until the program is replaced.
Why don’t New Year’s resolutions tend to work? Mainly it is because they are made at the conscious level of mind. Resolutions typically make use of will power to implement the desired change, another conscious mind function. Some people may feel they have lots of will power and others none at all, regardless of your perceived ability to make change through will power over the long term it is no match for the emotions, imagination and programming of the subconscious mind. Through will power you may be able to respond differently to your trigger for a few days or even a week or two. The subconscious mind however, is looking for ways to trip you up. It knows that in many cases you will see a slip as failure and an excuse to continue the habit that you consciously want to change.
New Year’s resolutions rarely work because your conscious desire for change is not aligned with your subconscious programming. By using hypnosis your subconscious can become your ally in making the change. Once your conscious and inner minds are in agreement not only will change happen, it will be permanent and effortless. After all you will simply be responding to a new program. Using hypnosis there are many tools to make desired changes including; direct suggestion, replacing the response to a trigger with something that is more beneficial to health, identifying consciously the root of the habit, or discovering any hidden reasons for the behavior.
Regardless of which tool or tools are used to change your internal programming, your subconscious mind is now aligned with your conscious desire for change. Once the behavior needed to reach your goal becomes a part of your belief system (programming) it will operate without a thought. Imagine taking a deep breath instead of lighting up a cigarette, or taking a sip of water instead of having that bowl of ice cream while the new beneficial action satisfies you completely. The emotional need that drove the old behavior is now completely satisfied with the new behavior. The achievement of your desired goal is the natural side effect of your new response.
As always, feel free to call or email if you have questions or simply want to discuss the applications of hypnosis further.
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