Think your way to success in 2022

Whatever your goals for this year, turbocharge your willpower and smash your resolutions with this expert plan from hypnotherapist, Steve Dell.

This feature appeared in Take a Break magazine in December 2021/January 2022.

Click the image above to read it, or for the screenreader friendly version, scroll down to the text below.

Think your way to success in 2022

By Punteha van Terheyden 

Almost 90 per cent of New Year’s resolutions fail, but what if you could think your way to resolution success in three simple steps ? 

Hypnotherapist Steve Dell explains, ‘Clients come to me wanting to change something or feeling stuck in some way. But changing behavioural patterns can be difficult without understanding how our brains work.’

The primitive part of our brain looks out for our survival and is resistant to change. 

‘On an evolutionary level,’ Steve says, ‘change is deemed dangerous because it could make our lives potentially worse.The primitive brain is doing its job to protect us, but when it comes to a specific conscious resolution, like finding love or chasing a dream job, it can get in the way.’

‘People stuck in patterns are operating out of their primitive brain.’

In 2017, Psychologist Richard Wiseman tracked 3000 people who’d made resolutions ranging from losing weight to quitting smoking, and found only 12 per cent succeeded after a year.

But the fix, Steve says, is straightforward. 

‘I’ve seen many clients quit smoking without too much effort. Hypnotherapy can quieten the primitive brain and allow the conscious brain – the dominant, cool-under-pressure and good-decision-making part of the brain get firmly in the driver’s seat.’

Now, you can flip the switch and feel like your true, empowered, connected self by yourself. Here’s how:

Do a deal

Now you’re aware of the battle between your primitive and conscious brain, address the balance to work in your favour.

When you’re on a diet for instance, every cell in your body is drawing you to the thing you’re trying to avoid. That’s your primitive brain resisting change.

You may feel silly, but make a deal out loud, or write it down.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I know eating that slice of cake/ seeing my ex/ staying up so late is a bad idea, and I am in control. I’ll have a slice on my treat day/ catch up with friends/ have a late one at the weekend instead.

 

The process of doing this and succeeding proves to yourself – and your conscious brain – that you are not only capable of sticking to your wishes, but in control of your actions. 

Learn to relax

Many factors impact how active our survival mode is. Stress, especially long-term, triggers stress hormones like cortisol and ‘fight-or-flight’ induced adrenaline. Being stressed callsour primitive brain into action more often and boosts its hold over you.

To counter, reassure your primitive brain that you’re OK by decreasing the impact stress has on you. If it’s is something you can eliminate from your life, do so without delay. If the cause isn’t easily removed, manage regularly work on calming your body and mind.

Body scanning is a short, effective guided meditation. Practice daily – the more the better – and whenever you feel tense. The more you do it, the quieter your primitive brain becomes.

Reducing stress will prove to be your will-power weapon.

Give it a go

Lay down or sit in a quiet room. Close your eyes and picture your favourite colour. Imagine it as a gentle, warm mist and breathe it in. Allow it to enter every cell in your body and bring warmth, comfort and calm from the tip of your head to your toes. 

Practice often so you can access this feeling of global relaxation by simply taking a deep breath and picturing your imagined colour.

The bigger picture

If you find that you whenever you impose a resolution on yourself it flounders no matter the technique or plan, look at the bigger picture. If you are not in control of your life, your resolution will inevitably fail too. 

The majority of clients who come to see me for weight-loss or quitting smoking hypnotherapy, for example, have ditched them within a month.

You can do it too!

Get in the habit of being control of your life in general, using your conscious brain to make decisions that are good for you. 

Let go of that toxic friend, look for a job that makes you happier, save money to upgrade the decor or go on holiday – all of these things will help you feel in firm control of your life. 

Dr Steven Peters wrote the fabulous The Chimp Paradoxabout the battle between your primitive and conscious brain, in which he said your inner chimp can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

This New Year, let it be your best friend.

ENDS

 

The science

Further tips to help you stick to your New Year Resolution, as revealed in the Richard Wiseman study:

*Men are significantly more likely to succeed when setting specific goals (e.g. swim twice a week) or focusing on rewards associated with reaching their goal (e.g. a night out with friends)

*Women are more successful when going public with their resolution and persisting in the face of setbacks

*Make one resolution – too many will spread your energy and resolve too thin

*Don’t repeat failed resolutions but try something slightly different e.g. I’ll call my parents weekly, instead of make more effort with family

*Be specific e.g. I’ll read for 30 mins every day 

Did you know?

*64 per cent of people polled in 2017 failed to keep their resolutions, with one in five failing within six days

*49 per cent of people polled had blown at least one resolution by mid-May

*One 1/5 Brits plan to make a NY resolution

ENDS

 

Punteha van Terheyden