Category Archives: Uncategorized

True Meaning Beneath The Surface

Who Are You?

We use way more metaphors than we realize.

Step up to the plate, take the bull by the horns, measure twice cut once.

Even within common sentences like “fall in love,” or “work through problems” are metaphors.

The nouns “love” and “problems” don’t really exist. Sure, they exist in our minds, but you can’t pick them up and throw them out the window. They are metaphors to describe very complicated underlying phenomena.

But when we use them in sentences, our monkey brains have to use them AS IF they were regular objects.

If you know anything about NLP, you know the famous saying, “The Map Is Not The Territory.” (Which, by the way, was invented by a guy who had nothing to do with NLP…).

What does this mean? Metaphors are only an approximation. NOT the real thing.

Sometimes we start to think that the metaphor IS the thing, rather than a handy description of something that we can NEVER truly understand.

What’s the biggest metaphor of all?

You.

Your sense of self. The idea of you. Always changing. Every few years, all the molecules, cells, etc. will be replaced. Every breath is an exchange of matter. Inorganic matter that somehow sustains life.

The YOU who is reading this sentence now is a different YOU that started reading this sentence.

Every moment you are updating your memories, rearranging your thoughts, and even shifting slightly in your posture based on millions of subconscious programs all running at once.

There’s a saying in the dating community that “Women aren’t meant to be understood, only appreciated.”

Maybe this applies to YOU as well.

Sometimes it’s necessary to understand why you do things. What made you say that thing to that person, or why you want to do something but are too nervous. Once you can figure that out, you can go back in your mind and tweak your personal history a bit. Give yourself more freedom and choice. Less fear and more courage.

Other times, though, it’s better to stop wondering. Stop asking. Stop trying to figure yourself out.

Just relax, sink deep into your thoughts, and appreciate yourself. Appreciate your energy. A connection to the source. From far back to the moment of creation, far out into the future.

That endless stream of energy in which you are now relaxing.

Take some time every day, to sit with yourself just a few minutes. Close your eyes. Feel your feelings. Feel your energy. And appreciate yourself.

Just as you are.

And when you’re ready to get even better, check these out:

Mind Persuasion

Avoid The Two Tragedies of Life

They Both Suck

One thing your brain is good at is categorizing things.

Scientists have discovered that primitive cultures have an inherent knowledge of different plant species.

They intuitively know which plants, even when they see them the first time, whether they’ll be good for medicine, or eating, or clothing.

Surprisingly, these instinctive categories match up pretty closely with scientific categories.

One of the Meta Programs, those semi-permanent filters we carry around with us, is to sort by similarity, or sort by differences.

Like if you looked at a bunch of shapes, you might automatically see how they were similar to each other, or different from each other.

Knowing how you do this can help. Sometimes sorting by similarity is helpful, sometimes sorting by difference is helpful.

If you always choose “bad” relationship partners, for example, you might be sorting for something similar when you should be sorting for something different.

They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

One way to get out of any rut is to make a pretty big change. Nothing HUGE, like moving to new city, but rearranging all your furniture, or changing your schedule around.

This can kind of shake up the way you look at things, so you’ll see things a bit differently. Start noticing things that are helpful, and suddenly not notice those things that aren’t helpful.

Often times we think we want something, but only part of us does. Or we want only part of what we think we want.

Whenever we’re attempting to manifest something, we often overlook two crucial areas.

One is what we’ll have to give up if we get it. The other is what we’ll have to accept if we get it.

They say there are two tragedies in life. One is not getting what you want. The other is getting it.

Why is this?

Well, if you never get what you want, or never even try, that clearly sucks.

But if you DO get what you want, what then? Sit around and watch TV? Hang out down at the bar and watch TV there?

The truth is that the pursuit of goals is where you’re most happy. When you’re taking action, measuring your results, and getting closer and closer.

Think about this. You’ve got this HUGE goal out there. You figure it may take a couple of years. So you start taking action. Then you start getting closer. Then you come to a FANTASTIC realization.

That original goal is simply to big enough. The closer you get, the bigger you make it, and the further you push it out there.

If you haven’t chosen something BIG, or haven’t started moving toward it, you should.

It’s pretty exciting when you do.

These will help:

Mind Persuasion

How To Practice Spontaneity

Program In Flexibility

When I was in high school I was a wrestler.

One thing the coach drilled into us was having three or four moves drilled deep into our brains.

So when the match started, we’d do those three or four moves, in quick order.

And then we’d have to have a backup plan if we ever met the same opponent. Otherwise, they’d know what we were going to do.

Once I sat in a baseball dugout with a friend who was a high school coach. I was amazed amount of stats they had on every single player on the opposing team. For each batter, for example, they knew which percentage of the time he’d swing at the first pitch, regardless.

So if they had a guy that ALWAYS swung at the first pitch, for example, they’d throw a sinker or something that looked like a fastball but wasn’t.

In sports, when the rules are clearly defined, it’s pretty easy to develop a specific step by step strategy.

In life, on the other hand, having some general rules is about is close as you’re going to get.

When you talk to somebody new, for example, it would be great if there were a set of memorized lines that would get you the right response. But for every person you talk to, you’ll need to come up with a slightly different combination of words and ideas.

And since most of the things we want in life involve other people (relationships, incomes, etc.) we have to have a lot of flexibility and creativity.

But how do you practice flexibility and creativity? Sure, you can practice something simple and repeatable like free throws and piano scales.

Is it possible to practice being in the moment and being spontaneous based on the situation?

Sure it is.

Just try something, and see what happens. Daily journaling is a great way. Every night, write down whatever opportunities came up, and what you did.

Then think of a couple of things you might have done differently, and write those down.

This means every single opportunity is worth twice as much. It’s worth something simply because it’s an opportunity. But it’s also worth something because it can help you figure out what to do better next time.

Keep this up, and whatever you want in life will get easier and easier.

It is up to you, however, to get out there and get in the mix!

These tools will help:

Mind Persuasion

How To Quit Giving Up

Transform Wishes Into Goals

If you’re like me, you’ve started and stopped a lot of projects in your life.

When I was a kid I had a friend who built all kinds of models. Planes, cars, buildings.

I convinced my mom to buy me one, and I gave up after a couple of days.

I have a friend who’s always starting new hobbies. Ham radio, remote controlled helicopters, learning the bass. Yet he always loses his excitement (much to his wife’s frustration) as soon as his new toy comes in the mail.

He’s got a huge antenna up on his roof. I don’t think he’s used it more than a few times.

When people set goals, often times they aren’t really goals. They are wishes. Then we get started, and realize how much work is involved. Sure, we’d love to get them if somebody would just give them to us.

But when we realize how much work is involved, it kinds of puts things into perspective.

Then there’s that “opportunity cost” that most people don’t like to consider.

After all, we only have so much time and money. If we are going to spend an hour or two a day becoming a world class martial artist, you can’t really spend another hour or two a day learning to be a world class pianist.

That’s why it’s really a good idea to choose ONE major goal for each area of your life. Financial, career, hobby, relationship, etc.

And along the way, you’ll branch off, learn new things, redefine your ultimate goal. This is what makes life worth living. The pursuit of things that are important to YOU.

Even then it’s difficult. Any goal requires being able to measure your progress. Otherwise you don’t know if you’re REALLY moving forward, or just kidding yourself.

That’s why a very IMPORTANT area of life is your health.

Not only is it the most crucial part, but it’s the EASIEST to measure.

Even if you get out and walk every day, you can measure the time. The distance. The frequency.

And once you PROVE to yourself that you can get real results (instead of imaginary results), it makes all those other goals much more believable.

They slowly transform from wishes, to goals, to daily actions, to consistent achievements.

It all starts with making the decision to move your body. Somehow. Someway. On a regular basis.

Get Started:

Fitness Accelerator

Does Your Subconscious Believe You?

Don’t Lie To Yourself

It’s easy to feel “separate.”

Like you’re on the outside, looking in. If you’re at a party for example, seeing all the people having fun, hooking up, while you’re holding the wall up.

I used to be (still am, lol) a HUGE fan of Star Trek. They had something called the “Prime Directive,” their most important rule. When they visited a new planet, they weren’t allowed to interfere with the technological, social, scientific, or economic growth.

So they had to go in disguise, looking like the locals.

In a strange way, they were observing by creating MASSIVE rapport.

Being an outside observer by being as much of an insider as they could.

This is one of the things you practice in NLP seminars. Within a conversation, move around from different viewpoints.

Your perspective, their perspective, somebody who’s watching you.

Tough to do, but very helpful.

Often times we get so stuck in our own viewpoints, it’s easy to not see those of others.

One of the most important thresholds (according to goofy scientists to study this kind of thing) is when humans became sentient. Not that it happened one Saturday afternoon in 32,000 BC or something.

A slow process.

And a gradual spectrum from being totally dependent on instincts, to having a rational mind that can watch it’s own thoughts.

Many people talk about the mind-body connection as if it’s EVER possible to separate the two.

While it’s tempting to think we can sit around and will things into existence, we STILL have to get up and do stuff.

We will ALWAYS need our bodies. Even if we order a pizza using telepathy, we’ve still got to go and answer the door when it comes.

Many people overlook this fact. But the more you involve your body in the process, the more you’ll FEEL and instinctively KNOW the connection.

This is why visualizing your goals WHILE YOU ARE MOVING is a great way to solidify this “action is required” mindset.

Walking, jogging, doing sit ups. Anything but waiting around for a commercial.

Because when you’re moving with PURPOSE, instead of waiting for the TV to let you have a rest, you’re telling your subconscious you are SERIOUS.

Otherwise your helpful friend will think you’re just hoping for the money fairy to show up with a present.

When you’re MOVING, your inner genius creator will get the point.

Try it. Figure out what you want. Create a solid visualization. Put words to it. And SAY THEM, while visualizing, while moving. Outside, out loud.

This can help:

Fitness Accelerator

Multi-Dimensional Rabbits

The Meaning of Metaphors

There’s a saying that a dog can only chase one rabbit.

Meaning that if tries to chase two, he’ll get neither.

And all metaphors, they can be applied, or they can be misapplied.

The problem with metaphors is they are the “map” in that famous NLP saying, “The Map is Not The Territory.”

I am currently reading a very interesting history of Africa, going back over 5000 years.

One of the early questions was the source of the Nile. A huge river of MASSIVE importance to trade, agriculture, and the economic health. Naturally, people wanted to know where it started.

Like all things, once we understand how important something is, we want to find out where it came from. After all, if this thing is super ultra important, imagine the source!

Anyhow, a lot of those early explorers died trying to find the source of the Nile because they either had crappy maps, or no maps all.

Considering much of the “truths” in self development are really metaphors for VERY complicated underlying phenomenon, it SUCKS to find out you’ve been following the wrong metaphor (map) all this time!

I’m sure you know that in order to succeed, you’ve got to take risks. Nobody gets it right the first time. Even turning on your own light switch, in your own room, that you’ve lived in for YEARS requires some trial and error.

EVERYBODY needs to fumble around in the dark!

But for some reason, when we hear a simple metaphor that sounds true, we never question it.

But we should ALWAYS question everything. How? By asking if it’s working. One way to look at reality is the distance between where you are NOW, and where you want to be.

If you don’t KNOW where you want to be, then figure it out.

One thing that’s certainly NOT set in stone is having more than one destination.

Sure, if you’re a dog chasing rabbits, it really IS a good idea to only chase one rabbit at a time. Catch it, eat it, take a nap, and then chase another one.

But in life, you can have as many goals as you can imagine.

And you can chase them ALL at the same time. Because in the metaphysical plane of your mind, there are INFINITE dimensions. (That there is a metaphor that may or not be true!)

Money, relationships, health, ANYTHING. Chase them all!

Of course, the cornerstone to them is your health. Without that, there’s not much you can do.

It’s also a GREAT reminder of what you CAN do. Feel your muscles, check your space between your gut and your belt, anything that PROVES you can do anything you can set your mind to.

Learn More:

Fitness Accelerator

Love The Path Get The Result

Rewire Your Brain

Getting in shape is a great metaphor for getting rich.

Most people want more money, and most people would like to be in better shape.

However, getting there, as most people imagine, is not so easy.

I saw a movie recently about these kids who were in a reform school. The older kids were in charge of the younger kids.

One of the younger kids (the hero of the movie) had angered one of the older kids. So the older kid had the younger kid move a pile of rocks.

One at a time. He was barely able to lift them. Once he’d move the pile, the older kid told him to move it back.

I know a guy who used to drive a forklift, and sometimes, to pretend they were busier than they really were, they would move stuff to one side of the warehouse, and then move it back.

They’d do this for weeks at a time, and anybody who walked in would see all this activity and then lay off giving them any new work.

If you were paid ten bucks an hour to be that kid moving the rocks, that would suck.

Really, really suck.

But what if the rocks were made of gold? What if every one you moved you got to keep?

Same labor, same physical activity, but a COMPLETELY different mental attitude.

This is the REAL secret between making tons of cash, getting your ideal soul mate to fall in love with you, or getting a super sexy sick pack.

It’s not CHANGING what you need to do to get there.

It’s simply LOVING the steps.

Take guys that are super naturals with girls. They don’t worry about rejection, or what to say. They just LOVE the entire process. They do the same thing anybody else would need to do in order to get the same results.

They just love doing it.

People that make tons of cash are the same way. They go through the same process. Trial and error, learning and improving, getting rejected over and over. Until finally they hit paydirt.

Only the they are LOVING every single minute of it. To them, it’s not work. It’s fun. It’s exciting. It’s anything but the normal, boring as crap, nine to five.

Getting in shape is the same way. Love the process, and the outcome is easy.

All you’ve go to is rewire your brain.

How?

Here’s how:

Fitness Accelerator

How To Make The Impossible Easy

Create Your Own Proof

Long time ago, it was thought impossible to run a mile faster than four minutes.

Then one guy did it. And pretty soon, lots of others did it.

If you look at the world record in various sporting events over the last 100 years, you’ll find that they consistently get better and better. Or faster and faster. Or stronger and stronger.

Yet if you compare the times for horse races, they’ve been about the same, time wise.

This is strong evidence that it’s not technology or nutrition that is pushing the limits of human performance, but what we believe is possible.

Most people are scared of doing something. Especially if nobody has ever done it before. But then when we see somebody do something, then everybody’s doing it.

This is the reason role models are so crucial. Especially when we’re young. We see how to behave, what’s possible, and how to deal with things that are unexpected.

Belief and behavior form an inextricable feedback loop.

The more you do something, the more you’ll believe you can do something. The more you believe you can do something, the more you’ll do more of that something.

Whether it’s making money, talking to attractive people, or doing pushups in the morning.

If you’ve never done one pushup, you might think ten is impossible.

If you do only one pushup every morning for a week, suddenly doing ten is pretty easy.

Maybe in a few weeks maybe 50 seems pretty easy.

Funny thing about your body is that you carry it with you everywhere you go.

Which makes it a PERFECT thing to PROVE to yourself that you can do anything.

For example, do you think it’s possible to do 100 sit ups, right now?

If you’re like most people, probably not.

But how long until you not only thought it was possible, but easy and natural?

Maybe a month or two.

Then you’d be carrying around PROOF, (right there in your gut) that using ONLY your mind and body, you can take what seems difficult or even impossible, and make it simple and easy.

Then when you come across an idea or situation, and you hesitate because of those common doubts, just pat yourself on the stomach to remind yourself of what you’re capable of.

“I can take the difficult, and make it easy.”

All it takes is a few minutes a day.

Get Started:

Fitness Accelerator

Release Resistance To Creation

Dissolve Internal Blocks

If you’re ever having a difficult discussion with a significant other, here’s a trick that will help.

When speaking, face each other sitting down, feet flat on the floor, legs uncrossed, and palms face down on your legs.

This keeps the subconscious lines of communication open.

If you want to see who’s “in sync” and who isn’t, take a look at couples next time you’re at a restaurant or coffee shop. People with open and matching body language are usually pretty into each other.

Regardless of what of hypnosis or meditation you practice, or would like to practice, being relaxed is a crucial component.

Simply slowing your breathing will lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Do this long enough and your brainwaves will slowly drift down from beta into alpha. If you are really advanced, you can get your brainwaves down into theta without the assistance of any binaural sounds.

One of the most overlooked aspect of manifesting is physical health. If you’ve got a lot of stress, you won’t manifest much.

Stress weakens your immune system, tenses your muscles, and closes off your vision. This is made more difficult by wanting something on one level, but being scared of getting it on another level. This inner conflict will create tension, which will actually push away that which you desire.

Doing some daily breathing exercises, yoga, stretching, or anything consciously aimed at reducing stress will make everything easier.

If you practice releasing stress with breathing, for example, you’ll be able to do it anywhere.

Instead of letting it bottle up all day, you can let it pass right through.

No matter what you’re building in your life, building your own body, through directed exercise, is a powerful motivator.

It sends a strong message to your subconscious that you’re serious. It lowers your stress, increasing your immune system and giving you all kinds of other health benefits.

It will leave your muscles more relaxed during the day, giving you more freedom to see all those opportunities around you.

Doesn’t matter WHAT you do, just do something. Even leaning over and grabbing your toes for a couple minutes right after your alarm clock goes off.

When you treat your body with respect, wonderful things start to happen.

Get Started:

Fitness Accelerator

Create Planned Creativity

How To Create Zone Thinking

I’ve had the best things “happen” to me when I wasn’t really expecting them.

That’s kind of the definition of “luck,” when preparation meets opportunity.

If you’re sitting around on your couch waiting for the Goddess of Opportunity to come knocking, you maybe waiting a while.

There’s a unique balance of movement, thought, openness where suddenly opportunities suddenly manifest.

You can do certain things to make these happen a lot more frequently.

Mind Mapping, for example, is a pretty good process for digging through your creative brain to come up with ideas you hadn’t thought of before.

Mozart often said that most of his inspirations came when he was out walking. Nowhere in particular, just walking and the ideas just “came to him.”

Any kind of repetitive movement is kind of hypnotic. Even driving, so long as you don’t have the radio on, is a good way to let your mind wander to creative places.

If you’ve ever been reading a novel, and had to reread the same page a bunch of times, that’s exactly what happened.

Part of your brain kept reading, but the deeper part was reminded of something, and that something reminded you of something else….

Paradoxically, you can create creative space where creative ideas are much more likely to pop up.

Jogging, walking, riding the stationary bike, doing yoga. All of these are PERFECT for letting your creative juices flow.

Only most people are so terrified to be alone with their own thoughts they HAVE to fill their ears with the latest pop music.

But when you consider the multitude of benefits you’ll get from regular exercise, in addition to the inspiration, it’s a wonder more people don’t do it.

Some of the greatest examples of visualization success comes from sports.

If you spent a ten or twenty minutes a day, doing something physical and at the same time using that precious to let your mind wander, the benefits would FAR outweigh the costs.

If you’re ready to get started, this will help:

Fitness Accelerator