By Mark Siegel, Your Personal Mind Trainer
The key factor in creating and maintaining harmony between body, mind, and spirit is your mindset. One of the most effective ways to change your mindset and reshape your thoughts and habits is through a combination of Hypnosis, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), and Coaching.
I call this process Relax - Envision - Succeed.
Let’s use the example that you want to achieve a healthy lifestyle. These are the techniques I would use to guide you to achieving your goal.
Hypnosis is one of the oldest and most effective ways to reprogram subconscious thoughts and behaviors, making it one of my go-to tools. Viewing life metaphorically can make it easier to shift your internal narrative.
Transformation occurs at two levels: identity and behavior.
Identity: Who are you in the context of a healthy lifestyle?
Behavior: How do you act to achieve your ideal health?
Identity typically precedes behavior, although the relationship can be bidirectional. Your self-concept influences your actions. Consider these questions:
Do you see yourself as a healthy person?
Are you of average health, above average, or below average?
Are you active or inactive?
What type of person are you in terms of mental, physical, and spiritual health?
What is NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)?
Essentially NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is “The User's Manual for Your Mind”. NEURO is your 5 senses, the way you take in information. You See it, Hear it, Feel it, Taste it or Smell it. LINGUISTICS is the language or the words that you use to describe or make sense of this information. PROGRAMMING is the patterns or habits or behaviors that come from all this. So, when you make a change to any one of the three, it affects the other two. Thus, changing the overall pattern and influencing how we perceive and interact in the world. NLP techniques and models aim to achieve specific outcomes or goals by leveraging these interconnections.
How Does NLP Work for a Healthy Body, Mind and Spirit?
We have many beliefs, some of them empower us and some place limitations on us. Each of our beliefs have some way of being represented in our mind. This Internal Representation (IR) determines the actions we take or not. If you believe something is impossible, then it would be foolish to take action on it. NLP helps you to shift your beliefs, by adjusting your IR of that belief, so that you perceive it as possible. You will then create a feeling of positive motivation, which in turn prompts the actions, that will lead to results you want.
NLP uses a combination of words, tonality and gestures (physiology) to influence others for a more effective level of communication. Life is a full-sensory experience, and even though some studies have shown that words account for only 7% of communication (Mehrabian, 1972). They are a BIG 7%. The key is how you utilize the other aspects of communication, such as tonality and physiology, in combination with the words. This is most effective when 100% of the communication is aligned congruently and authentically with your intention.
Also, you can reframe a situation or meaning by switching to a more resourceful word. For example many people reframe the word “Problem” with “Challenge” and find it is easier to deal with and to then shift it from a position of being a victim, to being in control.
Another way to think of NLP is like programming your GPS; it's much easier to reach your destination if you know where you're going. This allows you to plot the best course of action while staying flexible enough to adjust as needed. When your mind gets “A Possible Way” it finds “The Best Way” and you take inspired action, because now it has discovered a way and that “It Is Possible”. So the major belief shift is towards an increase in possibilities. No longer, “Can You Do It”, more like “How Will You Do It?”
What is Success Coaching?
Success Coaches are trained professionals who guide others toward achieving success in all areas of life, such as Health + Wealth + Relationships. A good coach will ask you the tough questions that no one else is brave enough to ask you. They might also help you design strategies, plans and commitments towards achieving your goals. They will hold a space of possibility, even when you doubt yourself. Success Coaching allows for tracking the progress gained through both hypnosis and NLP. This is then reinforced with skillsets, actions and accountability. So, with ongoing feedback and follow through, this makes it even easier for you to achieve your desired outcomes.
Your mind affects your body, and your body affects your mind
Your mind affects your body, and your body affects your mind. They work together synergistically, forming the physical version of "Who You Are." Depending on your beliefs, the physical body is the temporary home of your spirit.
Now let’s revisit that goal of living a healthy lifestyle. If your goal is to achieve a healthy balance between body, mind, and spirit, consider the following factors:
Intake: What you eat and drink.
Topical Application: What you put on your body (creams, lotions, and potions).
Activity: The forms of movement and exercise you engage in.
A Mindset for Success
Now, let's focus on your mindset. Who decides what you eat, drink, and how or when you exercise? Life is about choices, and these choices shape your life. Making healthy choices leads to a healthy lifestyle. Simple, right?
Your thoughts create your feelings, your feelings fuel your choices, your choices determine your actions, and your actions create your results. Transformation begins with changing your thoughts. If you want different results, you need a new way of thinking. Are you seeking short-term pleasures or long-term happiness?
In the book “Happier” by Tal Ben-Shahar, he describes four types of happiness pursuits:
The Rat Racer: "Someday, when I accomplish 'X', then I will be happy."
The Hedonist: "If it feels good, I will do it and create the illusion that I am happy."
The Nihilist: "Nothing makes me happy, so why bother even trying?"
The True Happiness Seeker: "I am happily pursuing a great future of happiness, and this journey itself makes me happy now."
By understanding and aligning your choices with your long-term happiness goals, you can create lasting, meaningful transformation.
Goals vs. Outcomes vs. Direction and Lifestyle
A goal might be to lose weight, or as I prefer to say, achieve your ideal weight. But what happens once you accomplish this? Reflect on goals you've set in the past. This is akin to the Rat Racer mindset: "When I lose weight, then I will be happy with my health." In contrast, an outcome involves achieving your ideal weight through a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise. By focusing on this outcome, you make the lifestyle your destination. This means you aren't waiting for a distant future to be happy with your health. Instead, you find joy in the daily journey of living a healthy lifestyle. For example, maintaining your ideal weight through consistent healthy eating and regular exercise allows you to enjoy your health continually.
Your actions and behaviors directly determine your results. By consistently eating a healthy diet and exercising, you will maintain a healthy lifestyle. Most likely, you won't need to monitor your weight or other health indicators because you'll already be doing what it takes to stay healthy.
What holds you back from achieving your ideal health? Mindset is often the key factor. Fear of change or stepping out of your comfort zone can be major obstacles. Many people adopt a hedonistic approach, seeking short-term pleasure rather than long-term health and happiness. Life is about choices, and your mindset around making healthy decisions is critical to your well-being. Also, consider the sources you trust for health advice. In the past, doctors were the ultimate authority, but now "Dr. Google" often holds sway. Ultimately, you control your health and lifestyle choices. Gather the information and resources you need, and then make informed decisions.
Why do you want to be healthy? What motivates you? For some, it's more about avoiding the pain of sickness than pursuing the pleasure of being healthy. However, both forms of motivation can be useful. "Away from pain" creates urgency but lacks direction, while "towards pleasure" provides direction but may lack urgency. By combining these motivations with NLP, you can drive yourself away from sickness and towards a healthy lifestyle now.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
By integrating these insights and techniques, you can cultivate a mindset that supports ongoing health and happiness.
What healthy lifestyle choices are you going to make now for a healthy body, mind, and spirit?
Mark Siegel
877-501-1406
Your 6 Step Journey to Work/Life Harmony
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