Ever wandered how you can get rid of that unwanted behaviour once and for all time? Well, here Gemma Bailey runs you through the techique you can use…really simple BUT efeective.
Let’s dive into how we can get rid of unwanted behaviours using a powerful NLP method known as the Swish Pattern, a topic we explored in detail during the NLP Practitioner Training. This technique is commonly utilized by hypnotherapists to effectively conclude sessions focused on weight loss and smoking cessation.
1. Imagine the behaviour you wish to change vividly in your mind. By visualizing this behaviour, you can start altering your feelings towards it. Try desaturating the colours or moving the image farther away to see how it affects you. Adjusting the small details (Submodalities) can help eliminate the emotional attachment linked to that image.
2. Imagine a fresh, empowering option unfolding before you. Envision a different way of behaving that will take the place of the old habits. Picture yourself in this scenario from a distance, so your brain recognizes it as a goal to strive for. By seeing it from an outsider’s perspective, you can ignite the motivation needed to make this new behaviour a reality.
3. Make the change as quickly as Swish! Put the picture of the unwanted behaviour on a big screen in your mind. Then in the lower left-hand corner, make the picture of the desired behaviour. As quickly as you can say swish, move the picture of the desired behaviour over and in front of the picture of the unwanted behaviour, covering it completely, then open your eyes. Do this process several times, until you feel unable to recall the picture of the unwanted behaviour or the feelings that went with it. As you repeat the process, do so very quickly. The key to this technique is to confuse the old wiring in your mind with the use of the speed at which you change the pictures.