First a little background on Instant Trance. When you are thrown into a state of shock, it alters your brain waves and neuro-chemicals in such a way that it can cause a psychological state that resembles a trance. It does not matter what the type of stimulus is that cause this, good or bad, it will have a deep impact, if it is strong enough to override a person's normal coping mechanisms. You will be thrown out of your normal homeostasis, and into an altered state of consciousness.

When a person is in this type of state, they will follow instructions. (As long as all the other mental rules are followed: not against their beliefs, or something they would not normally do.) Their minds are open to all types of suggestions and input. This is why it is so important to know not just what to say, but when and how to say it.

I tell the story of a man who was in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 and was running down the stairs as the building burned. He noticed that the firemen had popped open all the Soda/Soft drink machines so that people get fluids in their system. On one floor he stopped and went to a machine. Once there he spent what seemed like several minutes thinking what type of drink to have, a diet as he was watching his weight, or maybe just water. The building is on fire, people are running for their lives, and he gets into a mental loop on what to drink. What broke his state was some one yelling, "Get moving!" So he did. Although this sounds strange it happens all the time.

Another story is of the lady who won a lottery. When she knew she had the winning numbers (and a few million bucks) she took a nap. She said later she did not know what to do, whom to call, etc., and she was so tired that she just went to sleep for awhile. She shut down long enough to begin to cope.

Think of something that happened to you that threw into an instant altered state. What were your reactions? Knowing this type of information, you might think it will help you fight off this natural reaction, but think again, oh "Hypno-Gurus" reading this.

Back to the conference. When the awards were announced, I was supportive of all those great people who won the awards. When my name was announced for the Rexford L. North Award (the Oscar like statue) the highest award at the NGH, I was thrown into an altered state. The NGH has so many great teachers, therapists, trainers, and hypnotists, who have done so much for our profession, to be included was an honor that made me speechless. I was in an altered state. I do not even remember going up to receive the award.

When I was walking off the stage, Jerry Valley leaned over and commented, you forgot to kiss his ring. Now Jerry and I have had an ongoing joke where I kiss his ring as the "Godfather" of Stage Hypnosis. So since I was in an altered state, and received a direct command, I turned, went back and kissed Dr. Damon's ring. (Thank goodness he has a great sense of humor.) As soon as I was getting off the stage, I realized what had happened. It was like the experience of being a participant in a stage show. I remembered it, but could not believe I did it.

So how can we use this information in the real world?

The thing that comes to mind is sports and how naturally good coaches seem to know how to use this heightened state. John Madden talks of how when one of his players made a great play (which can throw you into this state), he would only focus on the "GREAT" things the player did. He knew great players did this naturally, focusing on the success, and letting the rest go. He mentioned a coach who would stop and point out, even after a great play, what the player could have done better. The result, one (Madden) was a coach the players loved to play for, the other had players who were never confident and started to dislike playing.

Also, what about when a person has done something that turns out "bad"? Do those around say "Move past it"; "Let it go"; or "You always foul up."; "This is just like you." Which do you hear or say? Some of the Twelve Step programs stress it is important to remember a "slip" (drinking or using again) but to, "Put it behind you." ; "Get up, dust yourself off, and move forward." The most important thing is "not to dwell on it."

How many of us had authority figures that, no matter what you did, it was never good enough? You got 4 A's and 2 B's. What did they do? Point out the great job, or ask why you got 2 B's? These authority figures say they are trying to get the person to "try" harder, to do better, but as the NLP presupposition states, "The meaning of the communication is the response that you get. " The difference in this communication is creating confidence and a sense of a job well done, and the other a fear of success/failure that leads one to stop trying to excel. Which do you want to install in people?

Remember to stay focused on what you want to the person to do, or accomplish, and find ways to move toward that. Look for times that they are in natural altered states and use this, stressing, "what's going great." In my practice I learned to always ask what went great this week first, then move into what we needed to work on. Try this it will save you a lot of work later.

Techniques and Tips:

Active Listening Skills and Appearing like a Genius!