Confidence Building Hypnotherapy

 

Confidence is closely linked to competence, or at least our own perception of this.  There are a variety of ways we can use Hypnotherapy to modify this perception.  Read this page to get an overview of Confidence Building Hypnotherapy.

In their collaborative book ‘Real Confidence’ edited by Suzy Greaves, seven professionals have differing views and approaches to confidence.  These varying approaches demonstrate how diverse a subject confidence is.

Patsy Rodenburg states, “Confidence is being fully present.  Confidence is what some people call the ‘it’ factor.”

Niki Flacks states, “One minute we’re talking to someone and we feel great, the next we’re talking to someone else and it’s gone.”

These two views sound familiar to me, first that when you are fully engaged you are confident.  And second, a confidence with one person can evaporate as you turn to another.

Also, remember having confidence is not always about having an audience; we often judge ourselves harder than others.

 

The Avoidance Technique:

When we lack confidence for a task or upcoming event we engage a self defence strategy, this may start with simple avoidance.  Avoidance is a great, and perhaps sometimes wise strategy when used appropriately; I avoid parachute jumps.

Avoidance will not help when it comes to mandatory tasks or when to be kind, others make allowances to help include you.  Saying that you cannot make it to Karaoke this Saturday will be no help when your friends agree to make it Friday instead!

And when avoidance does work out you should take time to think what else is being missed; are you cutting your own nose off to spite your face?

 

When do you feel Confident:

Take a moment to think of some frequent activities that you feel confident in completing; here are some suggestions:

  • Driving your car
  • Cooking a Meal
  • Playing Sports
  • Business Presentations

 

What does Confidence feel like:

Now pick just one of those, perhaps one where you not only feel competent but also consider involves skill.  Imagine for a moment carrying out that activity and then think about how you feel; perhaps some of the feeling on the list below:

  • Calm
  • In control
  • Knowledgeable
  • Familiar with the task

These feelings that come to you are a clear indication of what allows you to feel confident.

 

Downsides in lacking Confidence:

Lacking confidence often has negative outcomes, here are some examples:

  • Below par Performance
  • Missed Opportunity
  • Gap in Overall ability
  • Self Defeat
  • Embarrassment

 

Recognise your Abilities:

In his book ‘Wake up and Change you Life’ the self made star of BBC2’s Dragons’ Den Duncan Bannatyne writes about ‘Your Skills’.

Prompting the reader to list out various areas of life such Family and Work, he asks you to list your achievements under each.  This exercise brings to the surface the many abilities you have waiting to be built upon.

Being aware of abilities in one field can feed confidence to another; without knowing it you may be an expert in personal finance.

 

Competence versus Confidence:

On a more cautionary note, when feeding your confidence from past success be sure it is relevant.  A Professional Hypnotherapist will carry out an Ecology Check.

In practice a constant form of ecology check should always be taking place; perhaps so subtly that you will be unaware of it.  The purpose is to make sure that any technique or intervention is appropriate for the client.

My avoidance of parachute jumps is partly fuelled by having had back surgery; although even without that I have a whole bucket of other reasons.  It would be inappropriate to give someone with back problems the confidence to take a parachute jump.

Similarly, if you find yourself reasoning that you wired a plug so this fuse box is within your skill set STOP.

 

How to Improve Confidence:

The short answer is to become Competent and see value; when this isn’t practical Hypnotherapy may be a good option for you.

Confidence building hypnotherapy uses a variety of techniques that can provide a general boost or be tailored to a specific task or situation.

And confidence is self-propagating, once you break through a barrier the first time you have feedback to work with and can become ever more confident; spreading this to other areas of life.

 

Confidence Building Hypnotherapy Examples:

  • Business Presentation
  • Exams
  • Sports Performance
  • Interview
  • Acting – as in performing arts