top of page
NJ Hypnotist James Malone

Empowering Questions? A Life Enhancement Tip



The use of affirmations is a time tested means of cultivating a positive mindset. Essentially the method involves making self-statements where you state a desired goal as if it were currently true. Examples:

"I am strong and confident."

"I see myself as thin and healthy."

"I choose to eat healthy foods in the right amount."

It is known that if a suggestion is delivered repetitively and with emotion, eventually it will be accepted by the subconscious mind as true. Yet some people don't have the desired response to affirmations, especially when there is a wide gap between their intentions and their current perceived reality. It can seem too much of a stretch if a person is excessively stressed or in a place of deep discouragement to imply they feel otherwise.

An alternative to affirmations is the use of what could be called empowering questions. This technique takes advantage of two little known principles that enable you to avoid creating conscious resistance.

First, the brain will reflexively attempt to answer any question put to it and may continue to work on it "under the radar" so to speak even if you don't know the answer right away. A perfect example of this is the tip of the tongue phenomena. Let's say you try to remember the name of someone you went to high school with but you draw a blank. Hours later when you are doing something totally unrelated, the name springs to mind. Clearly the subconscious mind continued to work on the challenge.

The second principle is that questions indirectly make assumptions. If I ask you how to get to the train station, its assumed going there is indeed possible or the question wouldn't be asked.

To use this technique, ask yourself a simple question such as:

"What can I do today that will improve my health?"

"How will I make my business more successful today?"

"What will enable me to feel more confident when I give my presentation tomorrow?"

"Why am I going to succeed at reaching my weight loss goals?"

Afterward reflect on the question for a moment and then let the subconscious work on it. Sort of like the old rotisserie grill infomercial where you "set it and forget it." You might be pleasantly surprised at how the empowering question stimulates your problem solving resources.

I would encourage you to actually write out your empowering question on a post it note or index card and put it somewhere where you will regularly see it like on your mirror or nightstand to create a new habit of thinking.

Please feel free to connect if you have any questions, either call me directly at (732) 714-7040 or use the Life Enhancement Strategy Form and I will get back to ASAP.

P.S. The Life Enhancement Tip shared above is one of many in my new book Attainable Sustainable Change, available in print and digital editions at Amazon.


"

1 view0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page