Overcoming Fear and Enhancing Performance

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Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on December 2, 2009 at 9:18am

One of the really neat things about the unconcious mind is that it really doesn't know the differance between doing a thing and imagining doing a thing. There are some things that you can do beyond simple visualizations that will enhance not only the rehearsal of the routine but the pleasure he experiences when He does it flawlessly. When he experiences great waves of pleasure with each flawless execution all the obstacles not just "fear" become secondary. They become hurdles he feels great pride in overcoming. You can reframe the injury as a hurdle he had to overcome on his way to being the best, .
Gymnasts face this all the time. My niece is a nationally ranked Gymnast and captain of her college team. (Full Scholarship thank God). When she was younger.. I had a chance to work with her on her "landings". I thought her how to visualize a lawn dart twisting and tumbling through the air, but ALWAYS sticking point first into the ground. She got the technique down quickly. Then we worked on her motivation and desire to practise it. Suffice it to say that she very much loves the sounds she hears when bystanders (coaches and parents) are thrilled with her landing. Its self reinforcing.

Hugh Cole
The Pretty Goodest Hypnotist on the Planet

Permalink Reply by Donald Pelles on December 16, 2009 at 3:51pm

Our second session I asked, "Where is that fear now?" He answered that it bothered him some when people were watching as he practiced. He didn't even mention the fear of falling, which had brought him to me in the first place and which we had worked on the previous session. I took that as very positive.

I took him into hypnosis and gave him a trigger to take himself into trance whenever he wants. I had him practice several times, then had him stand up, still in trance. I had him open his eyes, maintaining his state, open the door, walk out of my office, and come back in. He found it a little difficult, but was able to do it. I told him we want to get him to the point where he can skate while in trance.

I had him model someone he wants to emulate, on a particular move, first dissociated, then associating into that person's body as he did the move, then still associated, becoming his own self. Had him do the move again and again, then in slow motion, gradually speeding it up. His assignment was to take himself into trance and do this VAK "visualization" before he practices each day.

I would like people to give me some guidance on where we should go from here, in tomorrow's and subsequent sessions. I can have him do some more modeling and visualization, with other moves and perhaps whole routines. I can have him practice more walking around in a focused trance state, even taking him outside and walking around the park. What else? Your suggestions, please.