Question about using imagery/visualisation for goal setting, during self-hypnosis.

[The Backward OX]

I wish to utilise self-hypnosis to attain a goal of becoming a generally more optimistic person (I’m presently more pessimistic).

One element of self-hypnosis techniques is to use imagery, or visualisation, to “see” one’s goal. I can understand the concept of using such a technique to improve one’s golf swing, for example, but can’t figure out how to use it for change in a mental attitude such as pessimism/optimism.

Can someone enlighten me? How would you go about “seeing” optimism?

Thanks.

[Starbuck]

5 years ago I recovered from serious anxiety (medication, hospitalization, etc.) by generally changing my way of thinking from negative to positive. I had reached a point when I was in doubt if I would ever recover, so I thought:

'If I am to be haunted by these dark thoughts for the rest of my life, I might as well try to balance that experience by thinking about something good every possible moment when I'm not in the grip of fear and anxiety'.

So I took a little notebook with me whereever I went and started noting everything - EVERY THING - that made me feel good, even the most banal things - like the blue sky and the smell of the wet grass in the morning.

Soon this became a habit, a sort of mental refuge for me that I could always return to, whenever I felt anxious. And it started growing for me, so I got more ideas about things I could think about that made me feel good - even imaginary things, like some of those dreamy 'swimming with dolphins'-scenarios or whatever works for someone.

And after only a few months I discovered I now longer needed the drugs to keep my anxiety in check, it had simply vanished. And I never had a depression again since then. (I used to have whole or partial depressions on and off since my teens - I am 37 now - was 31 when I was hospitalized ... )

I think what happened was that when I made a general committment to think positively - that means thinking about something that made me feel good (doesn't matter if it was something verbalized or something I could 'see' in my imagination or something I could sense) ... then I sort of 'pulled the plug' on my general anxiety.

For example, I used to have obssional thoughts about what if I harmed someone, or harmed myself - like throwing myself in front of a car, with no apparent reason at all. These thoughts vanished totally, when I made the committment to 'think about what felt good every moment I could'.

So, some lessons from my (probably more serious situation), I think may be useful for you:

1) It's not so much about the method, but about the committment. That means, positive thinking is a lifestyle change not a technique.

What good is it to self-hypnotize or vizualize or whatever for 30 minutes per day, when you use the remaining 16 or so waking hours brooding on negative thoughts? There are - probably - no quick fixes. But the long-term committment is definitely worth it, even if it's hard at first.

2) The 'object of thought' - visual, verbal or whatever - isn't so important. As long as it makes you FEEL good.

You will probably soon tire of a rerunning a few imaginary self-hypnosis scenarios or affirmations, or your subcon might be bored by it and not really 'attach to it'. At least I think that's a very real risk (I tried affirmations and self-hypnosis-like techniques for years - but very repetitively, and for very short periods of time).

So my advice is: Experiment and do so - ALL of the time - not just in select periods. When you are at the office, or in the bus, try to have a little 'game' of coming up with 10 things that make you feel good, things you see, can think about, remember, whatever. Write them down if that works for you. You can also try some of the techniques you already have considered, by all means. Just don't leave it at that. I think you'll have the best results by making an overall committment, by making this goal your chief priority.

Obvious, I know... but it's so easy to get sidetracked and just do, say 30 minutes of affirmations per day, and then get sucked up by whatever general negativity dominates the rest of your life.

Believe me, I've been there ...

Best wishes on your path

Chris

[Clint Cora]

I think that if you really want to turn yourself into a more positive person, you should start spending time with other people who are quite positive. Group by association works even better than just simply visualization alone. You can do both.

The point is, when you are around positive people who will not be affected by negativity, not even yours, their positive energy will start to grow on you. Attitude shifts like this are always more effective when you involve other people.

[Brutha]

Can someone enlighten me? How would you go about “seeing” optimism?

You don't see optimisim. You feel it.

Do you have a memory of an experience where you felt optimistic?

[sk8joyful]

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Can someone enlighten me? How would you go about “seeing” optimism?

Optimism is not a sight, but a feeling Simply recall
some experiences when you felt optimistic
You can start with small achievements, we all do.
Next learn to Anchor them, & also Stack them, so
whenever you want to feel on TOP of the world, you can Trigger... them.

Then come tell us about it!
.

[The Backward OX]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Do you have a memory of an experience where you felt optimistic?

No. Either it never happened or I've forgotten it.

[Brutha]

No. Either it never happened or I've forgotten it.

Okay, you think that you have never felt it.
How do you know that you have never experienced it?

How would you know that you experience optimism? What would have to happen for you to say "Now, I feel optimistic"?
Can you imagine a future in which you act optimistic?

[The Backward OX]

Originally Posted by Brutha

How do you know that you have never experienced it?

I never said this. I said either I hadn't or I'd forgotten it.

How would you know that you experience optimism? What would have to happen for you to say "Now, I feel optimistic"?

I have no idea.

Can you imagine a future in which you act optimistic?

No. I don't know what being optimistic feels like, which is probably necessary to be able to imagine it.

[Brutha]

I never said this. I said either I hadn't or I'd forgotten it.

Good, your not completely pessimistic about the idea that you have felt optimistic in the past.
How does the idea that there might have a optimistic experience in your past feel to you?
Maybe you can even locate the feeling somewhere in your body?

[The Backward OX]

How does the idea that there might have (been?) a optimistic experience in your past feel to you?
Maybe you can even locate the feeling somewhere in your body?

When people ask me how something “feels”, I switch off. Apart from basic fight or flight reactions I’m not a feeling type and so cannot relate to the concept.

[Brutha]

When people ask me how something “feels”, I switch off. Apart from basic fight or flight reactions I’m not a feeling type and so cannot relate to the concept.

Okay. Unfortunately feelings are something that's difficult to communicate over text.

The way for you would be to find somebody in your city that can teach you about accessing your emotions.
NLP practioners would be one example.