Hypnosis is a state of consciousness that we enter into naturally each and every day. It feels very similar to the way you feel when you are either daydreaming or driving. So, what can you expect from being hypnotized? You can expect to be very relaxed and more open to suggestions. Your heart rate as well as your brain wave vibration rate slow down, giving you access to your subconscious mind. Please understand that your conscious mind is still completely aware of what is going on the whole time you are in this relaxed state of mind, but your subconscious mind simply has the ability to accept the suggestions for change that you indicated to the hypnotist that you wanted. The word trance often scares people, but it is actually natural for us to feel this unknowingly all the time. If you have ever watched a television program or a movie and became super absorbed in the program, that is what trance feels like. You get the same feeling when you are driving and thinking about something else and you miss your exit.

Now, let’s talk about what hypnosis is not and why some people might be afraid of using hypnosis or self-hypnosis. Hypnosis is not sleep, you are not unconscious while in hypnosis. You are not under any type of mind control during hypnosis, and it is not magic. In fact, it is a heightened state of awareness and you are able to respond to requests during hypnosis such as giving a signal if asked if you understand something or a verbal answer. An important thing to know is that in order to be hypnotized, you must want to be hypnotized. You cannot be hypnotized against your will, nor can you be forced to do something you do not want to do. When clients come to see me for hypnosis, they decide what life changes they want to make. Based on that request, with their permission, I make suggestions while they are in this relaxed state so that their subconscious mind will begin to accept those suggestions, resulting in the desired changes.

There is nothing mysterious about hypnosis. Using hypnosis to produce faster and more permanent changes makes perfect sense. The conscious mind accounts for five to ten percent of our mind. It is working right now as you listen to me. It is the part that is logical and analytical. It helps us to solve problems, make decisions, criticizes, and is also the place of working memory. The subconscious mind accounts for the other ninety to ninety five percent. It stores all of the information for all of the experiences that we have ever had. It automatically controls our breathing, heart-beating, the immune system, and so much more. The subconscious mind is creative, emotional, and intuitive. Think of it as a computer that can be reprogrammed, we are always reprogramming our subconscious mind as we experience new things and we engage in self-talk. If you are constantly telling yourself that you are not good enough, you are fat, you are a smoker, or that you are a failure, then that is what you will become. So how do you reprogram the subconscious mind? How do I help you get the suggestions that you are good enough, that you are healthy, that you are not a smoker, and that you are a success into the subconscious mind? There is a part of the conscious mind called the critical factor. It is kind of like a headband between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. This part of the conscious mind has the power to accept or reject suggestions from getting into the subconscious mind. The best way to bypass the critical factor is through the use of hypnosis. When I hypnotize someone, and I use induction to help them relax, the critical factor simply goes to sleep. The conscious mind is still awake, but now the subconscious mind is receptive to the suggestions we agreed upon in order to help you make the lasting changes. Fortunately, new research in neuroscience confirms that the brain is malleable and capable of changing even the most ingrained patterns. That means as a hypnotist I can help you rewire your brain to interrupt and change patterns that have previously led you to have unwanted behavior and thoughts leading to things like general anxiety, smoking, over eating, sports performance problems, pain control, test anxiety, fear of flying, and much more.

My goal for this talk is to provide you with a better understanding of what hypnosis is and what it can do for you. It is a tool that anyone can use, and it is important that it is accurately understood. It is my hope that when you are ready to eliminate bad habits, learn to manage stress, or overcome whatever it is that you want to change that you will consider using hypnosis and self-hypnosis. If you have any other questions about hypnosis or you are interested in scheduling a session, please contact me at my website, www.aim-for-success.com or visit my Facebook page @AIMforsuccess.

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So what does changing an athletes mental game actually mean? First of all, it involves daily reflection. This is the part where the athlete begins to gather information at each practice and each competition. It creates better awareness in terms of what athletes have been doing, what habits they’ve created, and what they need to change. The next step involves setting specific goals and creating a plan of action for achieving those goals. The athlete will then examine any current relaxation techniques that they may use and with the help of the hypnotherapist these techniques will be replaced and/or modified as necessary.

Another important aspect of changing the mental game is the development of a tool kit, which will provide the athlete with a quick reference to help them at practice and at competitions. Although some of the techniques used will be interactive in either office sessions or on Skype, many will be mobile techniques allowing the athlete to access them any where. By using mobile techniques, the athlete’s participation is the only thing required to approach the competition with a winning mindset.  In addition, a proactive plan is designed to overcome any internal or external obstacles that may be present at the competition.

Based on everything that the athlete learns they develop a personal pre-competition routine, that will assist them in becoming a more prepared, intentional athlete and person. A post competition routine will also be developed allowing the athlete to reflect on their experience, reinforce their successes, and make any adjustments necessary for future competitions.

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It is always wonderful to see  how the use of mental rehearsal and portable techniques result in easy speed and personal records on race day. Thank you for sharing with us Nick!

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Fortunately, today’s athletes recognize the need for mental preparation in order achieve their highest goals. Skills that allow athletes to handle pressure, adversity, concentrate and develop a winning, confident attitude are not only available but essential.

So what do top athletes do to prepare for demanding championship meets? The answer is by developing mental championship race plans instead of leaving things to chance. They accept that outside events (“uncontrollables”) do not CAUSE mental traps and tension. They also learn to make personal plans to deal with those types of issues proactively. Some of those things include types of starting blocks, the expectation of others, timing/equipment, false starts, lane assignments, coaching dynamics, social influence and how they identify with the competition.

Many elite athletes have been working on these mental championship plans over the course of their entire careers. Some of them have kept swim logs consistently. This is an extremely important tool in terms of obtaining personal awareness and in order to determine which mental strategies need the most adjustment or improvement. Use of positive affirmations (rehearsing positive statements with imagery), pre-sleep techniques, self-hypnosis audios (including race-specific plans), and guided hypnosis are extremely useful and necessary skills to create a mentally tough athlete.

Consistently successful swimmers are well-prepared and mentally tough. They have taken information from their experiences at meets and used that information to document, prepare for and rehearse their mental races. They have a strong ability to focus on their own lanes and swim the most challenging races. This is key in terms of handling pre-race anxiety and not draining energy by focusing on what they cannot control.

Developing a strong mental toughness resume and toolbox will produce better results for swimmers and build confidence with respect to knowing how they will handle both familiar and unfamiliar or unexpected situations which occur at competitive swim meets. It also reinforces all of the hard work and effort they have contributed to their physical and technical training.

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If one of your goals or resolutions includes weight loss or fitness I have the program for you.

Here is a free-link to my weight loss tips. This e-book is only the beginning! Please contact me if you would like an informative, time-efficient, permanent change.

100 Weight Loss Tips

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“Mental toughness has become the discipline that keeps me on track…the driving force behind my decision not to quit whether that be at the end of a grueling race or a long practice. The results obtained from incorporating a mentally tough approach to my swimming are undeniable. I’ve swam faster, harder, stronger than I every would have conceived imaginable. With the help of Mrs. Joni, I have learned and am still learning to compete with a mental edge. Personally, this involves staying calm and loose, swimming with confidence, staying in my own lane, trusting myself to perform, and most importantly having fun!” -Abbey Ellis, Jacksonville, Florida

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