Harnessing the Power of Autosuggestion

Autosuggestion, or self-suggestion, is a powerful technique that can transform how we think, feel, and behave. This concept, popularised by the French psychologist Émile Coué in the early 20th century, is based on the idea that our thoughts can directly influence our actions and experiences. By consciously directing our thoughts through positive suggestions, we can support our goals, enhance our self-hypnosis practice, and improve our overall well-being.

Émile Coué was a pioneer in the field of autosuggestion. He believed that by repeating positive statements to oneself, a person could bring about desired changes. Coué is famous for his mantra, "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better." This simple yet powerful phrase exemplifies the essence of autosuggestion: the repetition of positive, progressive statements to create lasting change.

Coué's method, often called "conscious autosuggestion," was revolutionary because it emphasised the importance of the individual's role in personal development. He taught that anyone could harness the power of their mind to achieve their goals, overcome challenges, and improve their health.

For instance, consider the difference between focusing on feeling confident, excited, and engaged when preparing for a presentation versus worrying about forgetting what you might say or fearing that no one will engage. By choosing to direct your thoughts towards positive outcomes—such as being focused and connected with your audience—you set yourself up for success. This is the essence of autosuggestion: intentionally guiding your thoughts to align with the outcomes you want to achieve.

Crafting the Perfect Self-Suggestion

The effectiveness of autosuggestion hinges on how the suggestions are crafted. To create powerful self-suggestions, it's essential to keep the following principles in mind:

Positive Language: Always phrase your suggestions positively. Focus on what you want to achieve rather than what you want to avoid. For example, instead of saying, "I am not anxious," say, "I am calm and relaxed."

Present Tense: Frame your suggestions as if the desired outcome is already happening. This helps reinforce the suggestion as a current reality. For instance, say, "I am confident," rather than "I will be confident."

Progressive and Specific: Use suggestions that imply continuous improvement. This aligns with the idea that change is a gradual process. Additionally, be specific in your suggestions to give your mind a clear direction. Instead of saying, "I am successful," you could say, "Every day, I am becoming more successful in my career."

Emotionally Charged: Attach emotion to your suggestions. The more you feel the words you are saying, the more powerful the suggestion becomes. For example, "I am joyfully embracing new opportunities" is more effective than a neutral statement.

Believability: Craft suggestions that you can believe in. A suggestion may be less effective if it feels too far from your current reality. Start with suggestions that feel attainable and build from there. For example, if "I have unwavering self-confidence" feels too ambitious, you might start with "I am becoming more confident in my abilities each day."

As a hypnotherapist, I use personalised suggestions as a crucial part of my client sessions. These suggestions are tailored to each client's goal and help them harness the power of their own thoughts to facilitate change. During sessions, I guide clients to imagine themselves achieving their therapeutic goals, using suggestions to reinforce the imagery and the desired outcomes.

In addition to using personalised suggestions in sessions, I teach my clients self-hypnosis and encourage them to combine self-suggestions with mental imagery. This powerful combination can significantly enhance their imagined experiences, making the desired outcome feel more real and attainable. For instance, if a client is working on building confidence, they might imagine themselves speaking confidently in a challenging situation while repeating the suggestion, "I am confident and capable."

Autosuggestions aren't limited to hypnosis or self-hypnosis; when used independently, they are often referred to as affirmations.

Here are some examples of self-suggestions or affirmations that you can use to support various goals:

For Confidence: "I am confidently expressing myself in all situations."

For Stress Relief: "I am calm, relaxed, and in control."

For Health: "My body is becoming stronger and healthier every day."

For success: "I am attracting opportunities that lead to success and fulfilment."

For Sleep: "I fall asleep easily and enjoy deep, restful sleep every night."

Autosuggestion is a simple yet transformative technique that empowers you to take control of your thoughts and, ultimately, your life. Whether you’re looking to enhance your self-hypnosis practice, achieve personal goals, or improve your mindset, the principles of autosuggestion can guide you towards positive change. As Émile Coué famously said, "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better." Integrating autosuggestion into your daily routine can gradually reshape your thoughts and behaviours, leading to meaningful and lasting change.