Friday, November 28, 2008

November Verbal Impact

Here it is as promised (the tragic, profound, tearjerker article about gratitude and thanksgiving), but I didn't write it.

> > In Matthew 25: 35-40, Jesus is speaking and He is speaking directly to you: "'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it we saw you as a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”

I've been hearing a lot of variations of the above story lately, so I thought I would share the original with you.
(You may have read it before, but when I just read it again, really read it, it brought tears to my eyes.)

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

TBNGH December Meeting

Next meeting of the TBNGH will be:

Monday, December 8, 2008, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
at Enlightened Hypnosis
727-946-1531
Tarpon Springs, FL

Since we had such a great time last year, we are going to have another Stress Reduction Holiday Party. This year I have invited a Certified Laughter Leader. Lenore will show us how effective laughter is for stress reduction!

Please bring a snack or hors d'oeuvre for our wonderful group to share. You may also bring a guest to this meeting, but please let me know if you are planning to attend.

Thanks!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

News

The October issue of Verbal Impact is ready. Yes I know it's November already!

The featured article of the month should appear below this post. It is called, How to be a Leader.

Please go to my website to view the whole issue: www.enlightenedHypnosis.com/october_2008.html.

Hey! Did you know that The Great Smokeout Day is November 20, 2008! One week before Thanksgiving. Hundreds of people Quit Smoking on this day! If you need help quitting smoking or any other bad habit, check out:

Lifestyles Family Fitness
November 20, at 11:20am
Palm Harbor, Florida

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

How to be a Leader

How to be a Leader

Every great leader needs followers and followers need a leader.
Sometimes you are a leader and sometimes you are a follower. Do you know which times to choose which? Both jobs require a complete absence of ego.


In order to be a great leader, you need these qualities:
1. Confidence.
2. Respect for others.
3. Integrity (including honesty and fairness).
4. Creativity and innovation.
5. Commitment and persistence.
6. The ability to inspire and motivate others.

This last quality is also called charisma. It is hard to define, but we know it when we encounter it. Maybe possessing all of these qualities is what we really mean by charisma. But it seems to be something more than just a list of skills and abilities, it radiates from the inside. Are leaders born, or are they made? Is charisma an innate quality, or can it be developed?
I believe these qualities can be developed and practiced. As a hypnosis consultant, I have worked with many to develop more confidence and social ease, more persistence, and more creativity.

Leadership is no accident. According to Mary Godwin, "Being a good leader is not something that casually occurs. It takes great thought, care, insight, commitment and energy. When it all comes together, it brings out the best of who you are."

This is significant, because it mentions bringing out the best in the leader. But curiously enough one definition of leadership is to be able to bring out the best in others, while contributing to a common cause.

When I asked my colleagues about Leadership qualities, I got some interesting replies. I will give you a few examples:

The person I am thinking of is a leader I would follow. But he is not an instant success, because several false leaders would put stumbling blocks in his way. Some administrators are constantly thwarting his efforts in an attempt to cover their own ineptitude. It is a shame and a waste of energy. So, his leadership: He is intelligent and educated, but he always looks into things. He researches his answers and is not afraid to change if he is found to be in error. However, he is usually right because he does not make rash decisions or decisions based on his ego. He tries to do what he thinks is right from a considered point of view. Then he will stand strong. He is loyal and hard working. He has a code of conduct for himself and those around him. And he does not kiss up to those in power in order to elevate his position. If there is a mistake he makes it is to judge others as forthright and honest, as he is. Sometimes they are not. --Karla Guererri

The person I am thinking of is not famous. She was a prior boss of mine. I admired her greatly from the moment I began with the company until I left 7 years after that. She would never ask anyone to do anything she would not do herself. This, in turn, made our department quite happy, effective, and productive. We always wanted to do our best for ourselves as well as for her. She was an amazing teacher. She shared her knowledge in a manner that did not make you feel as though you didn't know anything. She shared whatever she knew with her staff. I learned so much from her and have never respected a boss that way since! She worked her way up to the top (so to speak) and was always encouraging others to learn more. She was human! When she noticed you being tired, or a little overworked she would suggest the next day off. It is many years later and I still think of her quite often.
--Janet Chocky


These are just some of the replies I got. Almost all mentioned some combination of the qualities listed above.

To me it seems clear that one of the most important qualities is commitment. If you don't have the commitment to a cause, you will not succeed as a leader. Sincerity and honesty are also required. If you are not dedicated to the cause, step back and let someone else take the lead. Leaders are flexible, right? That's because they are dedicated to the cause and are responsive to feedback. A good leader will consider advice from others. They are creative and open to other's creative ideas.

According to Gayle Hamilton, “You can’t follow someone who isn’t credible, who doesn’t truly believe in what they’re doing – and how they’re doing it.”

This is where the honesty and integrity come in. If you are not known for honesty and reliability, you will not be considered credible.

Leads lead by example, and several of the responses I got mention this. They say that a leader will not ask you to do something they would not do. This also strengthens your credibility.

On the other hand, I also received this from Mark Beck:
There is a Zen Buddhist story about leadership, and it underscores the trait that is most valued in leadership among cultures of the Far East: HUMILITY. It’s like Jesus told (and demonstrated) to his disciples: “The one among you who would be the greatest must first become the servant of all.”

This throws a monkey wrench into the works. It seems Leadership is more complicated than I first suspected! Let’s see if Jesus possesses the other traits mentioned:
Confidence. check. Respect for others. check. Integrity, honesty, and reliablility. check. Creativity, commitment. check, check. So why does this seem so different from the others? Ego is mentioned in the first paragraph. Jesus truly was without ego. He gave his full effort all the time. He was human, but not as human as the other leaders mentioned. And humans have egos. But they can get in the way when trying to accomplish something. Although the leader takes the credit when the thing is done, in order to achieve it, he must not focus on the glory, because that contradicts the other qualities.

Leadership is very complex. Developing these qualities will help you to become a leader should the need arise.

May you be blessed with leadership opportunities and may your leaders embody the same qualities we have just discussed!

Until next time, wishing you enlightenment, encouragement and empowerment!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Anticipating Anxiety

Anxiety. I just read how anxiety may be a beneficial thing, because it prevents you from making the same mistake multiple times.

But if you want to reduce or eliminate anxiety, call your favorite hynotherapist or hypnotist!

Hypnosis can help relieve or reduce normal occasional feelings of anxiety. I'm not talking about severe anxiety attacks. I'm talking about being uncomfortable driving over bridges, avoiding traveling if a plane is necessary to get there, or hiding in the bathroom when it is your turn to speak at a meeting.

I've known people who wouldn't drive on highways! For some reason they needed several hours to get somewhere 30 miles away. Although they said they hated highways, it's pretty clear they were afraid of driving on them. It's really hard to get somewhere in Florida if you avoid highways and bridges!

Fortunately, hypnosis can restore your confidence to stay in-control in these situations. I have worked with clients who were reluctant to fly in a plane, cross a bridge, climb a ladder, and even speak in public. Hypnosis can help you overcome avoidance behavior, so you can live your life with less stress and more serenity!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Ask the Hypnotist

Someone sent me the following question:
Don't you have to believe in order to be hypnotized?

You don't have to believe in order to be hypnotized, but there are 4 ingredients that seem to help:

1. Average or above average intelligence.
2. Motivation to make a change.
3. Imagination.
4. Willingness to be hypnotized. This is the most important.

The World Hypnosis Organization says that 90% of the population can be hypnotized. Personally, I think it is higher, but that's where willingness comes in. If you don't want to be hypnotized or if you are afraid of making a fool of yourself, you won't relax and enter into that receptive state we call hypnosis.

What I mean by receptive is that the inner critic in the mind becomes quiet and lets information directly into the subconscious mind, which is the true driver of behavior. That means you can make changes quickly and naturally by using hypnosis.

So, do you have the necessary ingredients???

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Revised Schedule

Tonight's class has been canceled. I will keep you posted as to when the next one will be scheduled. Just watch the schedule on http://www.enlightenedhypnosis.com/. Thanks for inquiring.