Hypnosis Techniques |

The lowdown on Self-Hypnosis

October 30, 2011 By David Van Arrick

Self-hypnosis is one of the techniques being used right now anywhere from fighting off addictions as well as in improving concentration and learning, and it is one form of hypnosis that allows the person to take on the responsibility for the procedure. This, for some, is vastly preferable as some sectors are still not comfortable placing a person under the control of another. With self-hypnosis, the control is entirely in the individual's hands.

One of the most common problems that self-hypnosis is used for is for self-improvement. People who want to improve their social skills or manage their anger better can utilize self-hypnosis to unlearn or relearn what they need to. There are also some in the medical fields that use this procedure in order to lessen the impact of pain and physical symptoms. Self-hypnosis after all can fool the brain and make it believe that there is no more pain.

Does Self-Hypnosis work?

Critics of the procedure have however argued that the change in behavior and in overall wellbeing is not true and is only temporary. It is only there as long as self-hypnosis is effective but the change is only artificial and the root of the problem is only masked and not removed.

Still fans of this procedure have attested to its effectiveness especially in getting rid of bad habits and freeing themselves from chronic body pain. Besides, as they would argue, these people have learned these bad habits and that self-hypnosis will only make unlearning it easier and faster. Still, if you feel that you are comfortable with a professional controlling you, it is recommended that you have a professional perform the hypnosis instead of doing it yourself. Besides having full control over the procedure, they will also be more in the know regarding it.

To get started with self-hypnosis, you will of course need a professional hypnotist to guide you. These people will be the ones to help you with the instructions and the procedure. The whole procedure is different for every person. Some people will find it easier to manage while others can completely lose into it. After all, they will basically depend on the subconscious and will need to have the strength of mind to deal with it.

What's Better Than Self-Hypnosis?

Self-hypnosis may not however be as effective as being done by a professional but the peace of mind and independence that you get from knowing that you are in control can mean a lot to some people. This knowledge of having the power to change yourself sometimes make up for the limitations that self-hypnosis brings to the table. The progress for instance with self-hypnosis may not be as fast with one professionally done. But as most patients have already implied, slow but sure is better than making a major change through the hands of an incompetent hypnotist.

There is no need to worry about safety. Just because you are doing it does not mean that it is any less safe. There is no truth to the claims that self-hypnosis can open the mind for the devil to enter or that people can get crazy because of it. A person under self-hypnotic state will have the same safeguards as with ordinary life. Actually, there is not much difference. The difference lies in the segment of the person's personality that he or she wishes to change.

All in all self-hypnosis is an effective tool in curbing bad habits and lessening pain but the jury is still out on whether it can go mainstream.

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Persuasion More Effective When You Use the “Unexpected” Message

October 28, 2011 By David Van Arrick Leave a Comment

Persuasion is more effective when you use the "unexpected message" and back it up with strong arguments. Why? People will listen and pay more attention to your message if you had and unexpected element to it. The problem is if you don't deliver something worthwhile the persuasion is lost. Swaycraft Persuasion Techniques discusses the surprise element for effective persuasion.

Something unexpected can either take your mind off something else or help you focus on it. Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com

Persuasion Research

"In consumer research at least, experts can be more persuasive when they express uncertainty. Uncertainty works here because it is unexpected: we expect experts to be certain about their position because of their specialized knowledge and training."

"Many authors suggest unexpectedness as one of the persuasion cornerstones. For example, Heath brothers make unexpectedness second element in their SUCCESs formula. (SUCCESs stands for Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Story – see their bestselling Made to Stick)."

"Overall, this is solid advice. But it can also backfire."

"Research indeed shows that in general unexpectedness boosts persuasion. The reason: unexpected message surprises your audience; they pay more attention; the more attention they pay the more likely it is that the message will sway them."

"In essence, people are more likely to meditate on your message if it surprises them.

"But here is a critical requirement: your message must be supported by strong arguments. If not, your message will be ineffective or will even backfire because your audience will be more likely to spot any flaws."

Sources:

Richard E. Petty, John T. Cacioppo, Rachel Goldman, “Personal Involvement as a Determinant of Argument-Based Persuasion,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 41, 847-55 (1981).
Richard E. Petty and John T. Cacioppo, Communication and Persuasion: Central and Peripheral Routes to Persuasion (1986)

Unexpected Persuasion

I know this works with children, I used to watch my kids' pre-school teacher do this all the time. She was always prepared with a silly song or an unexpected detail, and it held the interest of most of the kids while she taught what she needed to. It's works in advertising and relationships and business, persuasion is more effective when you use the unexpected message.

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Covert Hypnosis is Only One Form of Persuasion

October 24, 2011 By David Van Arrick Leave a Comment

Persuasion comes in many forms, such as covert hypnosis. There are many ways to use the sound of your voice, body language, specific words, touch, and appearance as persuasion for others to follow your thinking and do what you suggest. The art and science (and it is both) of persuasion calls upon many skills and resources. The article featured today found on ehow.com (persuasion) shows that covert hypnosis is only one form of persuasion that you can learn to bring more confidence and success to your life and to the lives of others.

Covert hypnosis is only one form of persuasion. Public speaking uses several types of persuasion techniques.

Persuasion: Getting Someone to Agree With You

"Being able to be persuasive is a skill that is important in the working world and can help you in your personal relationships as well. Persuasiveness is the ability to make someone else agree with what you are saying, whether they are agreeing that a certain product is a good investment or they are agreeing with a personal belief you have."

"The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle said there are three things you must use to be persuasive: ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos uses trust to convince someone, pathos appeals to a person’s emotions, and logos uses evidence and logic as a means to persuade someone."

Verbal Techniques

"When you are trying to persuade someone of something, you must talk to them to get them to see your point. There are many verbal techniques you can use to make your point of view seem right and appealing. For instance, using big words makes you seem knowledgeable and therefore right. Other verbal techniques include using a loud, convincing voice, repeating certain phrases or words, interrupting the other person and making sure you get the last word."

Physical Techniques

"Although you can’t use physical action to make someone listen to your point, you can use subtle physical techniques to persuade someone. For example, standing on a podium when delivering a message makes you seem tall and authoritative, and people are more apt to be persuaded by your words. Other physical techniques include using wide hand gestures or looking people directly in the eyes to establish trust."

Combination Techniques

"The most effective way to persuade your audience is to use a combination of verbal and physical techniques. The next time you watch a powerful figure deliver a speech, notice how they combine physical gestures along with words to really get their point across. When you are trying to convince someone of your point, use an authoritative tone and convincing words and look them in the eye as you talk."

Other Techniques

"Although verbal and physical techniques are the main techniques people use to be persuasive, there are other factors that play into how persuasive you are. Another way to be persuasive is using your personal appearance. Someone who is dressed in a suit and tie is more persuasive than someone in casual clothes because his appearance makes him look more credible. Your general stubbornness is also an attribute in being persuasive because if you refuse to give up, you are more likely to succeed in persuading someone of something."

Persuasion Over Time

Persuasion isn't an "all or nothing" endeavor either, it sometimes comes in stages and sometimes people will agree with you on one subject but not on another. The article mentions that your level of determination can be a factor as well as your confidence in yourself, this is very true. If you try a persuasion technique and it doesn't work right away don't lose confidence, project it! You'll notice the difference in others reactions to you immediately and because covert hypnosis is only one form of persuasion, make sure you are aware of and integrating all possible and appropriate persuasion techniques for your purpose.

Have you begun using covert hypnosis or persuasion techniques? What is holding you back from persuasion?

Add your comments and questions below and don't forget to Share and Tweet this post to your friends

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Downloadable Hypnosis Training

October 15, 2011 By David Van Arrick

Have you ever wanted to hypnotize someone and make them things and considered hypnosis training? Well you can but that is not what hypnosis training should be used for. With the tools, you should use it to help people especially those who have problems that are psychological in origin.

To do that, you don't have to enroll in school when there are programs that can be downloaded from the web. This is because there are hundreds of websites now that can teach you everything there is to know.

Finding Hypnosis Training

The only thing you need to find hypnosis training is a computer that has an internet connection. Once you type in for instance, "hypnosis training online" a number of these will pop out and you just have to choose among them which you want to explore further.

When you have found the site that will give you the proper hypnosis training, you can start downloading all the hypnosis training information into your hard drive.

Before you download it, make sure that the files are compatible with your current software otherwise you will not be able to open it.

Once it has been saved, you can look at it any time you want which means you can learn at your own pace. If you are not satisfied with the hypnosis training you downloaded, you can go to another site and hope that they are much better than the one you started with.

The length of time it will take for you to learn everything and absorb your hypnosis training varies. While some can learn it in about a week, people who don't have time to learn everything may take longer.

To see if you are making progress, you can try what you learned on yourself or ask a friend to help you out. If everything is working, then you are ready to take the next step which is certification.

Being Successful With Hypnosis Training

To succeed in hypnosis training, you have to be open minded of what it can do and this should also be the attitude of whoever you help. If they are skeptic, nothing will happen so that is something they have to understand.

If you want to make a difference in someone's life, you can start by downloading hypnosis training methods and techniques then mastering them. When you have done so, you can already start helping people by advertising so people will come to you and seek your assistance.

Those who are just starting out their practice will make some mistakes along the way but should continue to strive for excellence so their business will flourish.

Part of that includes attending seminars or conferences and reading books or journals to keep these individuals updated with any new techniques or developments in this field.

Being skilled in hypnosis training takes time. Once you have mastered it, use your knowledge to help others because it is the right thing to do. Remember, helping society starts by working with one patient and then moving on to another.

If you are very good, your reputation will be well known and you could be very successful in your career which is what everybody is hoping for regardless of the career they have chosen.

This includes people like yourself who are willing to undergo hypnosis training which is a technique that has been practiced for years and only now making a contribution in the medical field.

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Covert Hypnosis Techniques Anyone Can Learn

September 30, 2011 By David Van Arrick Leave a Comment

covert hypnosis

There are many programs that claim to offer covert hypnosis techniques anyone can learn but if you are as skeptical as I was at first you will want to do some research before buying into these claims. The article below comes from a site that does offer a covert hypnosis program however I was more interested in their explanations of covert hypnosis and the information they present to support what a hypnotist needs to do.

I like the way they presented this information and that it is not geared towards sexual seduction or other inappropriate uses. When you read the article below (covert hypnosis) you will realize that there are covert hypnosis techniques anyone can learn.

Covert Hypnosis

"Covert Hypnosis also known as conversational hypnosis is the process in which one gains control over the others mind without their knowledge just by making conversations by the listener’s subconscious mind. The ultimate aim here is to change the opinion of the person in question by manipulating their thoughts and making them do things your way."

"In this process the hypnotizer changes the thought pattern of the people, their behavior, emotions and perception of life on a subconscious level. Unlike with conventional hypnotherapy sessions covert hypnosis does not involve closing of the eyes or any kind of moving pendulum or strange hand gestures."

Suggestive Commands

"The commands or suggestions given by the person hypnotizing to the person being hypnotized are more of a metaphor and presented in an indirect fashion, although in certain cases they are also given directly. Stories are one of the tools of covert hypnosis which can be effectively used to convey your actual message across and help remember it with much more probability."

"The initial step in covert hypnosis though is to build a rapport with the listener. It is easy to do it with friends and family but also not that difficult to do it with strangers. All you have to do is use some compliment on them or laugh at their jokes to build a comfort level with your unknown listener. It is not necessary that you go too deep into building a connection with your listener."

Building Rapport

"The next step after building a rapport with the person to be hypnotized you have to try and switch off the listener’s critical mind. It is nothing but diverting the listener’s mind from its normal thinking state to an imaginary thinking state. You can always start by using some scenarios and asking them questions like “What if…” or “Imagine this…” This immediately shuts off their critical mind and lets their imagination dominate their thought process."

"After successfully taking the listener off his/her critical mindset you may now make your irresistible commands and describe the things you want him/her to do. The effectiveness of this method depends on a lot of things that you put in to it. It depends on the way you transform their mind from critical thinking to imagination and the kind of statements you make to convince them well enough to perform the task you give them."

Covert Hypnosis Is Easy

I used to be skeptical about the covert hypnosis techniques but I've actually used it myself many times and now I can honestly say there are effective covert hypnosis techniques anyone can learn to use in any situation.

The lowdown on Self-Hypnosis