I gazed deeply into the crystal ball and as the mists cleared here is what I saw: The Trends for 2011
Actually that a lot of old waffle but I do think we'll see a lot of this happen. I may not be a forecaster like Gerald Celente, but the markers for these trends are already in place.
1) An economy that fails to grow as quickly as forecast but still with inflation pushing up prices. The 1970s word Stagflation will become well known again.
2) The slow motion implosion of the Eurozone. The smaller countries overwhelmed with Bank debt will need further support for their still increasing debts. A two speed Eurozone may be imposed as the Germans tire of being the generous uncle who bails the smaller countries out. Debt will have to be restructured either willingly by changing the Euro rules or unwillingly by the collapse of the Euro.
3) Rising unemployment in the UK coupled with rising prices and stagnant wages will lead to more crime and more civil unrest. The rise in crime will lead to calls for "something to be done" and so more draconian police powers will be demanded and put in place.
4) Local taxes of all kinds will rise. Since the Council tax itself is fixed, car parking, planning and other usage based charges will rise by 20-50% as a ways of generating more income for the councils.
5) Local based business with low or no overheads will survive and may even prosper in the confusion of the high street. Expect to see one or more mid-range high street brands collapse. Online sales of commodity items will close those stores with no special USP.
6) Large scale volume manufacturing for many items will continue to move east. Either to Eastern Europe or to China where labour costs (even after recent Chinese wage inflation) are still much lower than in Northern Europe. Watch for more of European manufacturing to be done in North Africa as well. Special trade deals will make it easy import products from this region without duties.
7) Some politicians and media people will start to ask if the Internet needs more regulation. There will be calls for a blogging licence and additional regulation to close down 'alternative' news sources.
8) Government budgets will attempt to pull more cash from the individual through new taxes, not raising allowances and charging for services that used to be free. This may be dressed up in the language of sustainability/green taxes or environmental protection. The money will actually be used to fund the Government deficit, bank debts and to cover part of the fallout of the Eurozone implosion.
9) More people will attempt to follow the 'Good Life' by taking up smallholdings and raising their own animals. Many will revert back to an urban life because of the increasingly complex rules and regulations surrounding farming and animal keeping.
10) GM foods will be presented as the way to deal with the increased food prices. Some will resist this but crops will be planted and local organic production will be blighted by cross contamination of land and produce.
12) Broadcast TV will become increasingly fractured and of poorer quality as more channels are created. The increase in channels will decrease the advertising revenue available per channel and so expect to see more re-runs of old shows and imports of low grade shows from around the English speaking world.
13) One from left field; there will be calls for SSRI anti-depressants to come off prescription, so that they can be used more widely. This will be in response to a huge increase in those diagnosed with some form of depression as a consequence of other major changes outlined above.
Well what do you think of these? Let me know.
Wednesday 29 December 2010
End of year updates and news
My blog postings have been a bit spradic this year and partly to make up for that I thought I'd have an end of splurge on news stories that tweaked my interest recently. Then I'll move into Old Moore's Almanack territory and attempt to do some predictions for 2011; without the aid of planetary charts!
Smokers to be given free Nicotine patches
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1341706/Smokers-given-free-nicotine-patches-NHS.html
As reported in the Daily Mail and elsewhere, the UK Department of Health is to spend £250 Million on smoker "Quit Kits" which will include a week's supply of Nicotine patches. The idea of this approach being to help would be quitters through the first few days of not smoking.
I'm not convinced this will be money well spent though; around 20% of the population still smoke, some two thirds are said to want to stop. (The numbers always seem to be rather vague with few sources cited.)
However what I see is young people, especially girls, still starting to smoke (from 13 years upwards judging by my town) as a way of defining their adultness. Ask a 13 year old or a 16 year old what they think their life will be like when they are 30 and you may as well as them what the moon is like. They have no idea and no sense of the potential damage that smoking does to one's health. So they won't stop until film makers and TV program makers stop portraying smoking as 'cool' by association with the stars of the day. That is bigger and much more difficult challenge than handing out nicotine patches.
The challenge with older long established smokers is to deal with the habitual and conditioned responses that smokers have. Hypnotherapy is great for that.
When hypnotherapy CPD goes bad.
A former hypnotherapy student of mine called just before Christmas to wish me the best for the season. As we chatted about her year, she talked about a "Continuing Professional Development" (CPD) course she had attended on rapid inductions in a clinical setting.
Normally these events are fairly mellow with a nice spirit of friendly co-operation and active learning (the attendees pay for the course after all). But on this course it seems that the trainer and his assistants were more interested in getting applause for how good they were than ensuring that the training was effective.
Some of the techniques used involving rapid movements of the head/neck could, according to this lady have been dangerous. (She had to refuse a personal demonstration by an assistant due to previous damage to her own neck/spine. However the trainers did not point out the simple yet obvious conclusion that for some clients this method would be completely wrong and potentially dangerous. That ought to be a cause for some concern.
Congruence?
I know it is sometimes said that when a therapist has dealt with all their own issues they will no longer work with others but there has to be a sense of congruence to be a successful therapist.
If you are a fat lady or gent offering weight loss sessions then perhaps you should start with yourself first?
This idea of being congruent or in alignment with some core values is often used in Neuro Linguistic Programming but surely it applies just as much for hypnotherapy?
It seems that some the 'therapists' attending the training session previously spoken about were not aware that without that congruence positive change was unlikely to happen.
Smokers to be given free Nicotine patches
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1341706/Smokers-given-free-nicotine-patches-NHS.html
As reported in the Daily Mail and elsewhere, the UK Department of Health is to spend £250 Million on smoker "Quit Kits" which will include a week's supply of Nicotine patches. The idea of this approach being to help would be quitters through the first few days of not smoking.
I'm not convinced this will be money well spent though; around 20% of the population still smoke, some two thirds are said to want to stop. (The numbers always seem to be rather vague with few sources cited.)
However what I see is young people, especially girls, still starting to smoke (from 13 years upwards judging by my town) as a way of defining their adultness. Ask a 13 year old or a 16 year old what they think their life will be like when they are 30 and you may as well as them what the moon is like. They have no idea and no sense of the potential damage that smoking does to one's health. So they won't stop until film makers and TV program makers stop portraying smoking as 'cool' by association with the stars of the day. That is bigger and much more difficult challenge than handing out nicotine patches.
The challenge with older long established smokers is to deal with the habitual and conditioned responses that smokers have. Hypnotherapy is great for that.
When hypnotherapy CPD goes bad.
A former hypnotherapy student of mine called just before Christmas to wish me the best for the season. As we chatted about her year, she talked about a "Continuing Professional Development" (CPD) course she had attended on rapid inductions in a clinical setting.
Normally these events are fairly mellow with a nice spirit of friendly co-operation and active learning (the attendees pay for the course after all). But on this course it seems that the trainer and his assistants were more interested in getting applause for how good they were than ensuring that the training was effective.
Some of the techniques used involving rapid movements of the head/neck could, according to this lady have been dangerous. (She had to refuse a personal demonstration by an assistant due to previous damage to her own neck/spine. However the trainers did not point out the simple yet obvious conclusion that for some clients this method would be completely wrong and potentially dangerous. That ought to be a cause for some concern.
Congruence?
I know it is sometimes said that when a therapist has dealt with all their own issues they will no longer work with others but there has to be a sense of congruence to be a successful therapist.
If you are a fat lady or gent offering weight loss sessions then perhaps you should start with yourself first?
This idea of being congruent or in alignment with some core values is often used in Neuro Linguistic Programming but surely it applies just as much for hypnotherapy?
It seems that some the 'therapists' attending the training session previously spoken about were not aware that without that congruence positive change was unlikely to happen.
Wednesday 15 December 2010
Now here is a something to reflect on...
Listen to this prose poem about our situation and the zoo of our own making.
Thoughtful and though provoking; take a few minutes from your day to listen and watch.
Thoughtful and though provoking; take a few minutes from your day to listen and watch.
Sunday 5 December 2010
How about this for a Somerset morning?
I have been so busy recently that blog posts have been rather thin on the ground.
However I had to be out early this morning and a fog had settled on the countryside. As I travelled above the fog line this is what I saw.
The picture was taken from the Hinton St George to Dinnington Road in South Somerset.
Hope you like it.
However I had to be out early this morning and a fog had settled on the countryside. As I travelled above the fog line this is what I saw.
The picture was taken from the Hinton St George to Dinnington Road in South Somerset.
Hope you like it.
Monday 15 November 2010
I have a confession to make...
Over the last few years I have bought many books related to self-help, hypnosis, psychology and similar topics.
One of those books is the Power of Now by Echhart Tolle; he is variously described as a sage, a guru and a spiritual teacher.
The book gets rave reviews, that Queen of American TV, Oprah Winfrey rates it.
But the truth is that I struggled to read it, I found the format hard to digest, in the end an irritation with seeming 'worthiness' meant that I stopped at page 61.
However perhaps I should have another go. In the Daily Mail newspaper today they report how daydreaming makes us miserable and how being more in the moment increases our happiness.
Perhaps it's time to have another look at the The Power Of Now.
One of those books is the Power of Now by Echhart Tolle; he is variously described as a sage, a guru and a spiritual teacher.
The book gets rave reviews, that Queen of American TV, Oprah Winfrey rates it.
But the truth is that I struggled to read it, I found the format hard to digest, in the end an irritation with seeming 'worthiness' meant that I stopped at page 61.
However perhaps I should have another go. In the Daily Mail newspaper today they report how daydreaming makes us miserable and how being more in the moment increases our happiness.
Perhaps it's time to have another look at the The Power Of Now.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Goodbye O2, coprorate sponsors of vile child killing videos
Today I say goodbye to O2 as my provider of mobile phones.
Why?
Because they sponsored the 10:10 organisation that sees the use of carbon as something to be avoided at all costs.
Their (10:10) now infamous "No Pressure" mini movie (written by Richard Curtis) that showed people being blown apart if they did not fall in line with 10:10 carbon reduction ideas, was for me, the last straw.
I wrote to O2 to ask why they were continuing to sponsor 10:10 when they put out this sordid piece of propaganda. O2 said they did not have editorial control over what 10:10 did but that the company aims were broadly aligned with 10:10.
To me that makes O2 complicit in a media campaign that promotes the taking of human life if you don't sign up to the 10:10 agenda.
The only logical response to that is to vote with your cheque book and use a different company, so I did.
Why?
Because they sponsored the 10:10 organisation that sees the use of carbon as something to be avoided at all costs.
Their (10:10) now infamous "No Pressure" mini movie (written by Richard Curtis) that showed people being blown apart if they did not fall in line with 10:10 carbon reduction ideas, was for me, the last straw.
I wrote to O2 to ask why they were continuing to sponsor 10:10 when they put out this sordid piece of propaganda. O2 said they did not have editorial control over what 10:10 did but that the company aims were broadly aligned with 10:10.
To me that makes O2 complicit in a media campaign that promotes the taking of human life if you don't sign up to the 10:10 agenda.
The only logical response to that is to vote with your cheque book and use a different company, so I did.
Good news the UK leads the world...in cocaine use
It seems that the UK leads the western world in cocaine use (or should that be misuse?).
It's reported that the drug is as cheap as £1.50 per line in some areas and in Manchester 4 out of 5 clubbers are said to have used it.
Cocaine is a stimulant (it was once part of CocaCola, hence the name) and suppresses appetite. It acts to stop the re-uptake of serotonin and dopamine in the brain to give that euphoric feeling.
So what's the problem?
It is addictive, especially in crack-cocaine form and this tends to lead towards increased use and with it, the need for more money to pay for it. Excessive use can also lead to a racing heart, hallucinations and paranoia.
But perhaps the biggest problem of all is that the supply of cocaine is through illegal channels where the product can be tampered with and the money spent on the drug is effectively exported.
In Portugal drug use has been reduced by decriminalising major drugs. It should be a useful model to follow in the UK since the policing approach appears to have failed but no politician in the UK appears to have the courage to promote this as an idea.
In many ways alcohol use is far more damaging to the individual and the country but adopting a licensing approach to cocaine use is not being promoted by any of the major political parties at present.
It's reported that the drug is as cheap as £1.50 per line in some areas and in Manchester 4 out of 5 clubbers are said to have used it.
Cocaine is a stimulant (it was once part of CocaCola, hence the name) and suppresses appetite. It acts to stop the re-uptake of serotonin and dopamine in the brain to give that euphoric feeling.
So what's the problem?
It is addictive, especially in crack-cocaine form and this tends to lead towards increased use and with it, the need for more money to pay for it. Excessive use can also lead to a racing heart, hallucinations and paranoia.
But perhaps the biggest problem of all is that the supply of cocaine is through illegal channels where the product can be tampered with and the money spent on the drug is effectively exported.
In Portugal drug use has been reduced by decriminalising major drugs. It should be a useful model to follow in the UK since the policing approach appears to have failed but no politician in the UK appears to have the courage to promote this as an idea.
In many ways alcohol use is far more damaging to the individual and the country but adopting a licensing approach to cocaine use is not being promoted by any of the major political parties at present.
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Hollywood Stars and their secret
There is a secret that Hollywood stars use to change their life.
What is that secret? Hypnosis.
From stage fright to spider phobia, the Hollywood stars are in the end just like the rest of us, they sometimes need a little extra help to overcome their problems.
Watch the video above see how the stars become non-smokers.
You can use exactly the same methods without traveling to Hollywood, just contact me through the web site.
www.somersethypnotherapy.com
What is that secret? Hypnosis.
From stage fright to spider phobia, the Hollywood stars are in the end just like the rest of us, they sometimes need a little extra help to overcome their problems.
Watch the video above see how the stars become non-smokers.
You can use exactly the same methods without traveling to Hollywood, just contact me through the web site.
www.somersethypnotherapy.com
Tuesday 2 November 2010
Malware blasted
After my problems yesterday with a malware attack on my PC I thought other may want to know how I fixed it.
Fortunately the PC would still boot.
I interrupted the boot process and booted in Windows Safe mode.
I had already downloaded on another PC the anti-malware tool from http://www.malwarebytes.org/ (This is the free version of the tool)
I loaded this onto a memory key, changed the name of the EXE file to something short but meaningless (some malware will recognise the name of anti-malware tools).
Dropped it onto the PC desktop and let it do its stuff.
It took around 1hour 45 minutes to check my PC and found and then removed the garbage program. (All whilst in safe mode with internet access)
Reboot and we were good to go.
I have now raised the firewall security setting up one level!
Fortunately the PC would still boot.
I interrupted the boot process and booted in Windows Safe mode.
I had already downloaded on another PC the anti-malware tool from http://www.malwarebytes.org/ (This is the free version of the tool)
I loaded this onto a memory key, changed the name of the EXE file to something short but meaningless (some malware will recognise the name of anti-malware tools).
Dropped it onto the PC desktop and let it do its stuff.
It took around 1hour 45 minutes to check my PC and found and then removed the garbage program. (All whilst in safe mode with internet access)
Reboot and we were good to go.
I have now raised the firewall security setting up one level!
Monday 1 November 2010
Malware
I have for the first time in months been subject to a malware attack that has taken over the 'security' of my desktop PC. This is inspite of being protected by McAfee anti-virus/firewall etc.
I'm well hacked off with the amount of time and energy wasted on dealing with this.
The rogue site? It was all about marine electronics.
It could be a long night.
I'm well hacked off with the amount of time and energy wasted on dealing with this.
The rogue site? It was all about marine electronics.
It could be a long night.
Friday 22 October 2010
If you argue you may be mentally ill?
If you are a free thinker, or argue and don't respect authority you may be, according to the American Psychiatric Association, mentally ill.
You may in fact be suffering from “oppositional defiant disorder” or ODD.
Oh dear. It would appear that having your own thoughts and views may actually be a sign that you should be drugged by the latest wonder medicine from who knows which company.
These kind of diagnoses worry me, there seems to be so little room for the person who chooses not to confirm to a medically drawn stereotypical model of what a 21st century citizen should be. It is rather like the gulags of Soviet era Russia when to think other than the way you were told to was a sign of mental illness.
Our modern day, western version of the gulag is not some cold prison cell in a remote location, but a chemical concoction that seeks to smooth away all the rough edges of personality and thought until conformance is achieved.
Check the link to read more about DSM IV and this 'disorder'
You may in fact be suffering from “oppositional defiant disorder” or ODD.
Oh dear. It would appear that having your own thoughts and views may actually be a sign that you should be drugged by the latest wonder medicine from who knows which company.
These kind of diagnoses worry me, there seems to be so little room for the person who chooses not to confirm to a medically drawn stereotypical model of what a 21st century citizen should be. It is rather like the gulags of Soviet era Russia when to think other than the way you were told to was a sign of mental illness.
Our modern day, western version of the gulag is not some cold prison cell in a remote location, but a chemical concoction that seeks to smooth away all the rough edges of personality and thought until conformance is achieved.
Check the link to read more about DSM IV and this 'disorder'
Tuesday 19 October 2010
My trusty cassette tape recorder
Yes I know they're old but I still find my old cassette tape recorder a useful tool. However the supermarkets have stopped selling cassette tapes!
It looks as if Argos will come to my rescue though!
It looks as if Argos will come to my rescue though!
Saturday 16 October 2010
Just sometimes...
Just occasionally the noise and nonsense of life threaten to overwhelm clear thinking.
Generally it's a sign that I have been overdoing it (perhaps it's the same for you).
So having been here before I know the most useful path to take which is to relax, do less, rest and recharge the batteries.
Chill time. (Just for a day or so)
Generally it's a sign that I have been overdoing it (perhaps it's the same for you).
So having been here before I know the most useful path to take which is to relax, do less, rest and recharge the batteries.
Chill time. (Just for a day or so)
Thursday 14 October 2010
I'm not an ecomist but...
I can't help feeling there is something very screwy going on with the stock markets. They just seem to keep going up in spite of what is going on around us.
During my working day I see many companies and organisations; some are doing well, many are just getting by and far too many are either on the way to closing or now closed.
I see empty shops and business units (some empty for years)across the south of England. I see those shops that are open, having continuous rolling sales with huge discounts.
If I believe what I see, then the economy as a whole is not well. Belts are tight and getting tighter, pay is flat or even down for many and still, new job losses are announced.
So why in this maelstrom of bad news does the stock market keep going up?
Is it because it's the only place banks and trust funds will invest? Has the real value of the FTSE companies really gone up? Is too much money chasing too few stocks.
I see the real economy slipping backwards into what feels like a re-run of the 1970s and yet the stock markets appear to be driven by some other primal force utterly disconnected from the shops, industrial units and factories that I see.
Like an over stretched elastic band, I have a nasty feeling that something somewhere quite soon will go PING! When it happens I'm going to guess that it will be the ordinary everyday people who get hurt and that the bankers and stock brokers will be elsewhere counting their gold and silver.
During my working day I see many companies and organisations; some are doing well, many are just getting by and far too many are either on the way to closing or now closed.
I see empty shops and business units (some empty for years)across the south of England. I see those shops that are open, having continuous rolling sales with huge discounts.
If I believe what I see, then the economy as a whole is not well. Belts are tight and getting tighter, pay is flat or even down for many and still, new job losses are announced.
So why in this maelstrom of bad news does the stock market keep going up?
Is it because it's the only place banks and trust funds will invest? Has the real value of the FTSE companies really gone up? Is too much money chasing too few stocks.
I see the real economy slipping backwards into what feels like a re-run of the 1970s and yet the stock markets appear to be driven by some other primal force utterly disconnected from the shops, industrial units and factories that I see.
Like an over stretched elastic band, I have a nasty feeling that something somewhere quite soon will go PING! When it happens I'm going to guess that it will be the ordinary everyday people who get hurt and that the bankers and stock brokers will be elsewhere counting their gold and silver.
Saturday 2 October 2010
The bad and the good of humanity-two videos to compare
I had planned to write a blog today about my thoughts and feelings about the world in this very moment but two videos will do this for me.
The first is supposed to be a "joke" way to have people wake up to need to reduce carbon use. It is a nasty piece of work but I'll let you watch it first and then comment on afterwards.
It seems that any means is justified by the end (reduce man made global warming). How can you have respect for the eco-systems of the planet when you have no respect for those who disagree with your views.
It is a very long way indeed from the enlightenment view of Voltaire "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it. " Now if you don't agree with 'their' world view your life has no meaning. This is not a joke video, there really are people who advocate mass deaths to reduce the human population.
Isn't it odd however that those calling for a reduction in population (the Duke Of Edinburgh amongst them) never actually live or rather die by their own words. One presumes that it should always be 'other people' who should die rather than the self elected, global climate change gurus.
You can see organisations "sorry" page here http://www.1010global.org/uk/2010/10/sorry
But, there is another way.
Watch this video.
I think the second video says most of what I wanted to. (I realised that I had never watched the Chaplin film The Great Dictator, that forms part of the second video. I feel I need to do that soon.)
The first is supposed to be a "joke" way to have people wake up to need to reduce carbon use. It is a nasty piece of work but I'll let you watch it first and then comment on afterwards.
It seems that any means is justified by the end (reduce man made global warming). How can you have respect for the eco-systems of the planet when you have no respect for those who disagree with your views.
It is a very long way indeed from the enlightenment view of Voltaire "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it. " Now if you don't agree with 'their' world view your life has no meaning. This is not a joke video, there really are people who advocate mass deaths to reduce the human population.
Isn't it odd however that those calling for a reduction in population (the Duke Of Edinburgh amongst them) never actually live or rather die by their own words. One presumes that it should always be 'other people' who should die rather than the self elected, global climate change gurus.
You can see organisations "sorry" page here http://www.1010global.org/uk/2010/10/sorry
But, there is another way.
Watch this video.
I think the second video says most of what I wanted to. (I realised that I had never watched the Chaplin film The Great Dictator, that forms part of the second video. I feel I need to do that soon.)
Wednesday 15 September 2010
Just sometimes I get so tired that...
Just sometimes I get so physically tired that I find it almost impossible to think.
Or at least too tired to think with that linear, logical left side of brain. (Tom Silver the hypnotist would say outer vs inner brain and I think he has a point).
So what's left after logical thought leaves the room? Emotions, feelings, intuition, insight, gut feel, maybe even telepathy?
So right now this blog post is being guided mostly by gut feel. I don't KNOW why I feel the need to post this but it FEELS the right thing to do.
Or at least too tired to think with that linear, logical left side of brain. (Tom Silver the hypnotist would say outer vs inner brain and I think he has a point).
So what's left after logical thought leaves the room? Emotions, feelings, intuition, insight, gut feel, maybe even telepathy?
So right now this blog post is being guided mostly by gut feel. I don't KNOW why I feel the need to post this but it FEELS the right thing to do.
Monday 13 September 2010
Is the lack of creative output driving depression?
This thought has been on my mind for some time.
Is the lack of a creative output for an individual driving societal depression?
I'm using creative in the broadest possible terms here but essentially making something with one's hands or working constructively in a physical way. Not web surfing, email writing, texting, tweeting, facebooking or pushing bits of paper (virtual or real) around in an office.
I meet so many people who consider it normal to be on anti-depressant medication. They live regular suburban lives, hold down jobs, have families and collect their prescription for Prozac / Citalopram and the like every six weeks.
But how much meaning is found in the way we collectively live today? It appears to me (and I have zero evidence to back this up just my empirical findings) that when creativity is stifled or unused we lose an essential part of being human. It seems to push us towards a sense of incompleteness, anxiety even depression.
Now, this is not to say that a creative person does not or will not have depression; that's clearly nonsense as the regular suicides of designers and artists would attest. It's more the impression I have, that unless we regularly engage in useful creative activity and physical work we become more prone to those natural moments of melancholy turning into a depressive state.
I saw a report recently in one of the UK newspapers about Doctors prescribing work on farms rather than drugs for those they felt were depressed. But what a shame we have become so disconnected from meaningful work that the only seemingly valid way to do it is via a Doctor's prescription pad.
Our society problems are merely an aggregation of our personal problems and a clear indication that it's time to look for some more meaningful and fulfilling ways to live.
Is the lack of a creative output for an individual driving societal depression?
 |
| Are we using Prozac & SSRIs for the wrong reason? |
I'm using creative in the broadest possible terms here but essentially making something with one's hands or working constructively in a physical way. Not web surfing, email writing, texting, tweeting, facebooking or pushing bits of paper (virtual or real) around in an office.
I meet so many people who consider it normal to be on anti-depressant medication. They live regular suburban lives, hold down jobs, have families and collect their prescription for Prozac / Citalopram and the like every six weeks.
But how much meaning is found in the way we collectively live today? It appears to me (and I have zero evidence to back this up just my empirical findings) that when creativity is stifled or unused we lose an essential part of being human. It seems to push us towards a sense of incompleteness, anxiety even depression.
Now, this is not to say that a creative person does not or will not have depression; that's clearly nonsense as the regular suicides of designers and artists would attest. It's more the impression I have, that unless we regularly engage in useful creative activity and physical work we become more prone to those natural moments of melancholy turning into a depressive state.
I saw a report recently in one of the UK newspapers about Doctors prescribing work on farms rather than drugs for those they felt were depressed. But what a shame we have become so disconnected from meaningful work that the only seemingly valid way to do it is via a Doctor's prescription pad.
Our society problems are merely an aggregation of our personal problems and a clear indication that it's time to look for some more meaningful and fulfilling ways to live.
Friday 27 August 2010
Smells and how they trigger memory and emotion
I happened to be delivering something to a local pub recently. It's a mass catering food venue rather than an old style boozer.
As I walked out of the door, I caught a blast of air from the kitchen area.
In a moment I was transported back almost 40 years to a school meal hall.
In a split second an emotion of comfort was triggered in me. A warm feeling of being cared for...followed almost immediately by deep concern, low level anxiety and a feeling of unease.
A smell triggered a memory and then an emotional response (rather a stream of emotional responses) all within a few seconds and all without a conscious thought from me.
I wonder how many people realise just how powerful the sense of smell is in evoking memory and thereby emotion.
It was my own Proust, "Remembrance of Things Past" madeleine moment.
As I walked out of the door, I caught a blast of air from the kitchen area.
In a moment I was transported back almost 40 years to a school meal hall.
In a split second an emotion of comfort was triggered in me. A warm feeling of being cared for...followed almost immediately by deep concern, low level anxiety and a feeling of unease.
A smell triggered a memory and then an emotional response (rather a stream of emotional responses) all within a few seconds and all without a conscious thought from me.
I wonder how many people realise just how powerful the sense of smell is in evoking memory and thereby emotion.
It was my own Proust, "Remembrance of Things Past" madeleine moment.
Saturday 21 August 2010
Are there days when you just want to be alone?
There are days when I would rather just be alone.It's not that I don't like people (that would be a challenge) but more that sometimes my internal processing needs time and space to do its thing.
This is absolutely OK when one has that time and space. It's absolutely terrible when you need it and can't get it.
Personally, in that situation, I'm liable to become grouchy and argumentative (yes it's a weakness but I'm still working on me).
Ideally then do not attempt to do the mundane things in life like going shopping for groceries when what you really need to do is go walking along a deserted sea shore.
Sometimes though, 'stuff' gets in the way and so for parts of yesterday I was that grouchy guy.
I just wanted you to know that life can get all of us that way sometimes...we are all human with the difficulties that that brings.
So if you are having a grouchy day and would rather be walking alone along the sea's edge, I'd like you to know that it's OK. Things will probably look better tomorrow; they did for me.
Thursday 19 August 2010
Brave New World - happening today?
I have just finished reading Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. The book was written in 1931 and published in 1932. Set in London of AD 2540 (632 A.F. in the book), the novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology (no one is born naturally, they are decanted from jars) and the break up of the family so that there is no longer a notion of Father, Mother or even marriage.
Perhaps the most astounding thing about the book is just how far down the line we have come towards the Brave New World envisaged (even desired) by Huxley.
He has the members of society taking a drug called Soma that allows you not to worry about anything, to find happiness in a drug dose. It is even used for mental holidays where a person could lose days at a time in a blissful state of disconnectedness from the outside world. To a modern reader it sounds rather like a blend of Prozac and Ecstasy.
The women all control their own fertility (although no one actually gets pregnant) just like having today's contraceptive pill.
No one got old, or at least they didn't appear to get old (because of hormone tablets, blood transfusions and the like); it seems rather akin to the way TV and film stars have plastic surgery to "stay young".
Society itself was stratified into pre-determined layers where your destiny is related to the chemical mix put into your embryo jar. A little too much of the wrong chemical would have you destined to become an Epsilon Semi-Moron who would only do the most menial tasks.
As a result society is stable but there is no sense separate self, no notion of pain or solitude. Society has become a stable, self sustaining organism that no longer recognises the right to be different. Indeed, in the end the person who comes into the society from outside is driven to suicide to escape the pain of being the same tomorrow as today.
It's is intriguing and more than a little disturbing just how many of the aspects of the book are reflected in life today.
As a literary novel it's not going to thrill you with its dialogue or character formation but this prefiguration of modern society will really make you think.
It's is intriguing and more than a little disturbing just how many of the aspects of the book are reflected in life today.
As a literary novel it's not going to thrill you with its dialogue or character formation but this prefiguration of modern society will really make you think.
Thursday 12 August 2010
So simple, so brilliant and it applies to us all
An actor talks complete sense and destroys so many conventions in 55 seconds.
Blair book launch
There is something deeply unsettling about our former Prime Minister Tony Blair selling a book of his memoirs for millions of pounds whilst the UK public pay for his protection and others in Iraq pay a far higher price for his time as PM.
If you want a personal dedication written in the cover of your copy, you're out of luck. Mr Blair will not sign books with a personal message, have photos taken or be near anyone with a mobile phone.
Personally I wonder about what his state of mind is now, as he contemplates the mess that he left behind; not least the legacy of a war in Iraq where over one million people have died as a consequence of the fighting, depleted uranium weapons and shattered healthcare system.
If you want a personal dedication written in the cover of your copy, you're out of luck. Mr Blair will not sign books with a personal message, have photos taken or be near anyone with a mobile phone.
Personally I wonder about what his state of mind is now, as he contemplates the mess that he left behind; not least the legacy of a war in Iraq where over one million people have died as a consequence of the fighting, depleted uranium weapons and shattered healthcare system.
Monday 9 August 2010
Sucessfully quitting smoking
I had an email recently from a man who said "I have been trying to give up smoking for years and years."
Two things struck me about that one comment (and I do tend to hear them a good deal):
1) "Trying"....trying implies failing. "I'll try and get that done by Wednesday" really means you won't see it until Friday. In other words it's a socially acceptable cop out. Harsh I know, but how often have you heard someone say "Well I said I'd try...." as they failed to deliver what you thought was a done deal.
2) "Giving up" What do those two words say to you? Think about the times when you said them, even drift back to childhood when perhaps you "gave up" chocolate for lent. (Does that still happen?) You really wanted the chocolate but for some other life affirming reason you decided not to have it.
Now think about those words in the context of smoking. "giving up" sounds like you still want to smoke. Subconsciously the desire to smoke is the same, it's just that pesky conscious part of mind that worries about negative health effects that wants to stop.
What's the alternative?
Don't try, just stop
Sometimes you'll be successful in stopping for a long time and sometimes not.
Don't "give up"
Decide to focus on what you want (to be a non-smoker). The only things you are giving up are the very negative health impacts of smoking. Decide simply to be a non-smoker.
The words you use to yourself have far more power than you know.
Two things struck me about that one comment (and I do tend to hear them a good deal):
1) "Trying"....trying implies failing. "I'll try and get that done by Wednesday" really means you won't see it until Friday. In other words it's a socially acceptable cop out. Harsh I know, but how often have you heard someone say "Well I said I'd try...." as they failed to deliver what you thought was a done deal.
2) "Giving up" What do those two words say to you? Think about the times when you said them, even drift back to childhood when perhaps you "gave up" chocolate for lent. (Does that still happen?) You really wanted the chocolate but for some other life affirming reason you decided not to have it.
Now think about those words in the context of smoking. "giving up" sounds like you still want to smoke. Subconsciously the desire to smoke is the same, it's just that pesky conscious part of mind that worries about negative health effects that wants to stop.
What's the alternative?
Don't try, just stop
Sometimes you'll be successful in stopping for a long time and sometimes not.
Don't "give up"
Decide to focus on what you want (to be a non-smoker). The only things you are giving up are the very negative health impacts of smoking. Decide simply to be a non-smoker.
The words you use to yourself have far more power than you know.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
The holiday that prompts you to make the change
It's that time of year when we go away on holiday or in these financially constrained times, enjoy a stay-cation.
Whether it is time away or time at home, we have some space to think about what we want from life and what may be holding us back.
I have become used to the way that the number of enquiries from those interested in changing their life ebb and flow throughout the year. Often this process begins in January when many will make New Year resolutions to change things; often those resolutions are broken before the end of the month.
As the year progresses, we tell ourselves that we WILL get that thing done or that change made but work and family commitments stop us grabbing hold of that particular issue.
Until holiday time....
That brief interlude in the year when the pressures of daily life are either reduced or perhaps just changed. But that change allows us to think differently, perhaps more clearly about our dreams and desires, our aspirations and goals.
So we return home determined to make that change but also recognising that some additional resources might be needed. (Well we tried will power back in January and that was not as successful as we wanted.)
So we look for resources, instant or near instant fixes to our situation. That's when I start to get the phone call and emails looking for personal assistance; that may be where you are right now. In which case make the call today, I'll give you 30 minutes of my time on the phone so that you can ask questions about how I work and how it can be effective for you.
You are not alone, others have been down this path before and I've shown them how to get rid of unwanted fears or habits, how to deal with old but still unresolved emotions like anger, jealousy and pain or simple how to make things afresh.
There are so many ways in which your life can be better, take the first step today and decide fully and completely that you're ready to make the changes and then set about doing it. I can help you with that process and am just a phone call or an email away. Call me on 01935 700333 or john@somersethypnotherapy.com.
Whether it is time away or time at home, we have some space to think about what we want from life and what may be holding us back.
I have become used to the way that the number of enquiries from those interested in changing their life ebb and flow throughout the year. Often this process begins in January when many will make New Year resolutions to change things; often those resolutions are broken before the end of the month.
As the year progresses, we tell ourselves that we WILL get that thing done or that change made but work and family commitments stop us grabbing hold of that particular issue.
Until holiday time....
That brief interlude in the year when the pressures of daily life are either reduced or perhaps just changed. But that change allows us to think differently, perhaps more clearly about our dreams and desires, our aspirations and goals.
So we return home determined to make that change but also recognising that some additional resources might be needed. (Well we tried will power back in January and that was not as successful as we wanted.)
So we look for resources, instant or near instant fixes to our situation. That's when I start to get the phone call and emails looking for personal assistance; that may be where you are right now. In which case make the call today, I'll give you 30 minutes of my time on the phone so that you can ask questions about how I work and how it can be effective for you.
You are not alone, others have been down this path before and I've shown them how to get rid of unwanted fears or habits, how to deal with old but still unresolved emotions like anger, jealousy and pain or simple how to make things afresh.
There are so many ways in which your life can be better, take the first step today and decide fully and completely that you're ready to make the changes and then set about doing it. I can help you with that process and am just a phone call or an email away. Call me on 01935 700333 or john@somersethypnotherapy.com.
Friday 23 July 2010
Moving ahead
My blogging has been rather spartan just recently, sorry. I feel that I am once more moving positively forward with life after a month filled with grieving for the death of my father.
His memory is with me still as are some tangible reminders of his time, things he made or held from wood that he loved to work.
As is common at this time of year my one to one practice has been quieter than usual. It happens each year as people focus on getting away for their holidays and can think of little else. I know that within two weeks the phone will almost literally be ringing "off the hook" as people reflect on their position whilst away.
It seems that as human beings we need these times of reflection and contemplation to get an insight into what is most important. That reflective time might be your holiday or simply a gap in your work day, however you get it it is useful, restorative time to be embraced.
Is it time to reflect on what's most important in your life?
His memory is with me still as are some tangible reminders of his time, things he made or held from wood that he loved to work.
As is common at this time of year my one to one practice has been quieter than usual. It happens each year as people focus on getting away for their holidays and can think of little else. I know that within two weeks the phone will almost literally be ringing "off the hook" as people reflect on their position whilst away.
It seems that as human beings we need these times of reflection and contemplation to get an insight into what is most important. That reflective time might be your holiday or simply a gap in your work day, however you get it it is useful, restorative time to be embraced.
Is it time to reflect on what's most important in your life?
Monday 5 July 2010
Life must move forwards
A little over one week ago, my Father died unexpectedly aged just 72. I know the stages of grieving and I knew what to expect but his passing hit me very hard indeed.
Mostly it was regret for things left undone. The trips that we should have taken together that were put off because finances or poor health seemed at the time to be insurmountable barriers. The stories that did not get written down or recorded of his younger days, the granddaughters and grandsons he will not see grow to maturity.
So I have in the last week been evaluating my own approach to life and have, in some areas, found that things could usefully change. For the most part it has been a realisation that even though we all know that our life is finite, none of us can know when it will end. Knowing that both emotionally and intellectually is very different from just being able to say the words.
I know that I will waste far less time on things that have no long term value for me or my family. This includes most of the things that the TV adverts would have us lusting after and spending our as yet unearned income on through the means of a credit card. Things hold little of real worth.
Friends, family, experiences and emotions carry far more value.
I know that I will miss my Dad for a long time, perhaps always, but the pain of missed opportunities will guide my actions and I think prompt me to make better life choices for now and the future.
No one can know when their life will end; if yours were to end next week, what things undone would you regret?
Got an answer? Then please take action on it now.
Mostly it was regret for things left undone. The trips that we should have taken together that were put off because finances or poor health seemed at the time to be insurmountable barriers. The stories that did not get written down or recorded of his younger days, the granddaughters and grandsons he will not see grow to maturity.
So I have in the last week been evaluating my own approach to life and have, in some areas, found that things could usefully change. For the most part it has been a realisation that even though we all know that our life is finite, none of us can know when it will end. Knowing that both emotionally and intellectually is very different from just being able to say the words.
I know that I will waste far less time on things that have no long term value for me or my family. This includes most of the things that the TV adverts would have us lusting after and spending our as yet unearned income on through the means of a credit card. Things hold little of real worth.
Friends, family, experiences and emotions carry far more value.
I know that I will miss my Dad for a long time, perhaps always, but the pain of missed opportunities will guide my actions and I think prompt me to make better life choices for now and the future.
No one can know when their life will end; if yours were to end next week, what things undone would you regret?
Got an answer? Then please take action on it now.
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Sorry about the lack of blog posts
I have been rather less busy on the blog than normal.
The reason is that on 24th June 2010 my father Brendan Fergus Burns (always known as Bob) passed away. Family and funeral arrangements have come first.
For those who knew Bob, his funeral will be at Taunton Crematorium on Thursday 1st July 2010 at 12pm.
The reason is that on 24th June 2010 my father Brendan Fergus Burns (always known as Bob) passed away. Family and funeral arrangements have come first.
For those who knew Bob, his funeral will be at Taunton Crematorium on Thursday 1st July 2010 at 12pm.
Saturday 19 June 2010
Oh good grief
I pondered for at least 30 seconds before making this post.
Fresh mug of tea brewed (it reduces your chance of a heart attack...no really..see the Daily Telegraph) and a short break in the mania that life is at present.
Like many other people who call themselves therapists I earn my money from a variety of sources. For me at this time it's a necessity perhaps for others it's a matter of convenience but many of us do it.
I find it helps to give me a more rounded perspective on the kinds of situations that people bring to the consulting room. I believe that helps me be a better and more effective therapist. This ability to switch thinking in different situations is a very useful skill to have.
This is not so much multi-tasking as many tasking. I only do one thing at a time, when I'm with the client I am really with the client; I'm not thinking about anything outside of our shared experience.
As someone put it to me the other day "Be completely present in whatever you are doing at that moment. Be in the room both physically and emotionally".
All of which brings me to the explanation of the blog post title. I was with a client last night; we started work as England started playing. At the end of the session it was half time and I had no notion of what the score was. (0-0 at that point) It seems that I may as well have booked another client in rather than watching the rest of the match. Having seen the final 40 minutes or so my reaction was "Oh good grief". England as world cup winners? I don't think so.
Fresh mug of tea brewed (it reduces your chance of a heart attack...no really..see the Daily Telegraph) and a short break in the mania that life is at present.
Like many other people who call themselves therapists I earn my money from a variety of sources. For me at this time it's a necessity perhaps for others it's a matter of convenience but many of us do it.
I find it helps to give me a more rounded perspective on the kinds of situations that people bring to the consulting room. I believe that helps me be a better and more effective therapist. This ability to switch thinking in different situations is a very useful skill to have.
This is not so much multi-tasking as many tasking. I only do one thing at a time, when I'm with the client I am really with the client; I'm not thinking about anything outside of our shared experience.
As someone put it to me the other day "Be completely present in whatever you are doing at that moment. Be in the room both physically and emotionally".
All of which brings me to the explanation of the blog post title. I was with a client last night; we started work as England started playing. At the end of the session it was half time and I had no notion of what the score was. (0-0 at that point) It seems that I may as well have booked another client in rather than watching the rest of the match. Having seen the final 40 minutes or so my reaction was "Oh good grief". England as world cup winners? I don't think so.
Saturday 5 June 2010
Cumbrian Gunman Rage
There are times when people just lose the plot.
As in the recent killings in Cumbria (UK) sometimes simmering resentment boils over into uncontrollable rage.
I don't know the full background to this case, perhaps no one ever will but I recognise the rage.
It can happen to the best and most well meaning person; an event, a situation; perhaps that becomes exaggerated by drink or drugs that results in uncontrollable rage.
Rage is blind, it is I believe, a deep emotionally driven response to an assault (or perceived assault) on one self. An assault so potentially damaging that it must be dealt with at any cost.
When you see someone in a rage you quickly recognise that until the fire-storm of anger passes, there is no way to have a rational conversation with that person.
The best that might happen is to provide words of comfort from a distance, direct intervention, even from a loved one can be perceived as a further increasing threat to be dealt with.
In that rage, anything that comes to hand can become a weapon, it needn't be a gun; a chair or fist or handbag will do just as well.
Whilst I do not think we can eliminate rage (nor should we) it's easier to stay in control of one's own deep emotions when eating well, avoiding drugs (including alcohol) and cultivating a deep reserve of self-esteem to deal with the issues that other people push on to us.
In this most recent case the result of what seems to have been a long simmering rage is nothing short of a deep and profound tragedy. Sadly, guns or not, it will not be the last incident of raging violence that we hear about.
All you can really do is look after your own well being and help those others willing to change their life. Some people do not want to change and for that reason alone rage will always be with us.
As in the recent killings in Cumbria (UK) sometimes simmering resentment boils over into uncontrollable rage.
I don't know the full background to this case, perhaps no one ever will but I recognise the rage.
It can happen to the best and most well meaning person; an event, a situation; perhaps that becomes exaggerated by drink or drugs that results in uncontrollable rage.
Rage is blind, it is I believe, a deep emotionally driven response to an assault (or perceived assault) on one self. An assault so potentially damaging that it must be dealt with at any cost.
When you see someone in a rage you quickly recognise that until the fire-storm of anger passes, there is no way to have a rational conversation with that person.
The best that might happen is to provide words of comfort from a distance, direct intervention, even from a loved one can be perceived as a further increasing threat to be dealt with.
In that rage, anything that comes to hand can become a weapon, it needn't be a gun; a chair or fist or handbag will do just as well.
Whilst I do not think we can eliminate rage (nor should we) it's easier to stay in control of one's own deep emotions when eating well, avoiding drugs (including alcohol) and cultivating a deep reserve of self-esteem to deal with the issues that other people push on to us.
In this most recent case the result of what seems to have been a long simmering rage is nothing short of a deep and profound tragedy. Sadly, guns or not, it will not be the last incident of raging violence that we hear about.
All you can really do is look after your own well being and help those others willing to change their life. Some people do not want to change and for that reason alone rage will always be with us.
Thursday 20 May 2010
I don't charge a fortune but...
Sometimes I get phone calls that start "How much do you charge?"
Well, at that point I try and find out a little more about what the person wants but I also know that 9 times out of 10 their decision making is going to be based on cost, not effectiveness.
That means that 9 times out of 10 they will not be a client.
Often they have been down the standard medical routes, sometimes with counselling, sometimes with SSRI anti-depressants. Often they feel they have no where else to turn and then I'm too expensive.
I don't have a smart answer for this. I do take on reduced fee clients and sometimes no-fee clients but without a fee being charged I don't have the resources to deliver the change work.
It feels wrong, but right now I don't have a fix for the issue of needing to charge for those who can't afford to pay and have been left behind by the medical establishment. (Arguably the medical establishment should not be involved in emotional and life skill issues anyway.)
Well, at that point I try and find out a little more about what the person wants but I also know that 9 times out of 10 their decision making is going to be based on cost, not effectiveness.
That means that 9 times out of 10 they will not be a client.
Often they have been down the standard medical routes, sometimes with counselling, sometimes with SSRI anti-depressants. Often they feel they have no where else to turn and then I'm too expensive.
I don't have a smart answer for this. I do take on reduced fee clients and sometimes no-fee clients but without a fee being charged I don't have the resources to deliver the change work.
It feels wrong, but right now I don't have a fix for the issue of needing to charge for those who can't afford to pay and have been left behind by the medical establishment. (Arguably the medical establishment should not be involved in emotional and life skill issues anyway.)
Wednesday 19 May 2010
My day.
Today I have commented on a logo, worked with client who sometimes uses drugs, driven 200 miles, drunk coffee, eaten pasta, drunk wine, washed shirts, posted a cheque, missed the children, put diesel in the car, bought a sandwich, watched the news, tweeted, texted, blogged, marvelled at fields of yellow oil seed rape, received a credit card bill, made phone calls, decided some people prefer to act like idiots, watched Jamie Oliver and finally decided to go to bed.
Saturday 15 May 2010
Nice testimonial
Getting testimonials in hypnotherapy work can be a bit of a lottery.
Some clients make massive positive changes to their life but would rather no one else knew of their particular issue and therefore do not give testimonials.
Those who do leave a testimonial are therefore a select few but I had a very nice one earlier this week who had asked for help in dealing with pre-job-interview nerves.
Well, read what she says below and if you would like to know more visit my web site www.somersethypnotherapy.com
The testimonial:
Dear John
I hope you are well. I can say that the session I had with you about interview nerves has done me so much good, as have the CDs. The first interview I had after the session, I got a job offer and have accepted! The interview involved a presentation which I would have previously been so nervous in, but I was very calm this time ! Before the interview I was even calm enough to read a book instead of manically looking through the job desccription and panicking! Thank you for your help and I would not hesitate to recommend you
Kindest regards
Linda Ajam
A very nice result in just a couple sessions together.
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Warriors, Settlers & Nomads & Parent Adult Child
There are a ton of personality models out there to choose from but I often find that one of the simpler ones, Warriors, Settlers and Nomads from Terence Watts to be very useful.
Watts puts forward the idea that there are three basic personality types that derive from our inherited DNA. (These may or may not relate to our parents' personality typing).
Warriors are the go- getters. Action driven , focussed and determined to achieve goals. Want respect more than love. Analytical rather than feeling, controlled and controlling choosing somber colours (blacks/brown) for clothes.
Nomads are the drifters, they love change, colour, feelings and need to be the centre of attention. They hate being controlled by people, situations, schedules or events. They are "people people" often with a passion for the arts or performance.
Settlers are those who occupy the middle ground. Solid dependable folk who get on with life. They like to please others and value home life, friends, stable work patterns and family.
Of course we are all a blend of these personality types but imagine for a moment what might happen if two warrior types fall in love and form a long term relationship; you can expect fireworks!
If a Nomad and a Warrior get together, the drifting ways of the Nomad may exasperate the Warrior while the controlling tendencies of the Warrior may make the Nomad want to run away.
Of course these are massive generalisations and yet I have found the hypothesis a very useful one to make use of in therapeutic work.
In that work, I often find I am dealing with not just the personal difficulties of one individual but also the interaction with that person's partner or parent or child.
Since I do not generally engage in relationship counselling or couple work, I wanted a simple way to explore that dynamic and have found the combination of the Warrior Settler Nomad personality typing coupled with elements of Transactional analysis Parent - Adult - Child states to be very useful.
I am still exploring the areas where this is most useful but I thought some others might find this a useful combination to explore.
Tuesday 11 May 2010
A nasty bug...
A nasty bug has me in its grasp. I have a cold and as a consequence my voice has dropped in pitch. I sound like a bad Barry White impersonator. It also makes speaking difficult and a bit painful.
Today I will be mostly silent in an effort to recover the voice, although this would be a perfect time to record a couple of hypnosis audios if I had time booked in the studio.
Saturday 8 May 2010
Actvity at a new low in hung Parliament twilight zone
It has been a strange nether world we seem to have occupied since the General Election polling stations opened on Thursday morning.
Commercial activity seems to have slowed right down, the stats on my own web sites (I have several and monitor others) are all universally down; I'll guess that those for the web sites of Sky News and the BBC are up a good deal.
This period of transition from one Government to the next has a strange unreality about it that seems to have affected nearly all of us.
It's worth remembering though that the events in the world keep moving on. We are still fighting a war in Afghanistan, still paying credit card bills and government taxes even whilst those who would lead the country decide who should be Prime Minister.
Outside of the Westminster world, the people who come to see me in person are still getting rid of unwanted habits, letting go of fears and phobias and releasing anxiety.
For all of us, whoever says they are in charge, real life goes on.
Commercial activity seems to have slowed right down, the stats on my own web sites (I have several and monitor others) are all universally down; I'll guess that those for the web sites of Sky News and the BBC are up a good deal.
This period of transition from one Government to the next has a strange unreality about it that seems to have affected nearly all of us.
It's worth remembering though that the events in the world keep moving on. We are still fighting a war in Afghanistan, still paying credit card bills and government taxes even whilst those who would lead the country decide who should be Prime Minister.
Outside of the Westminster world, the people who come to see me in person are still getting rid of unwanted habits, letting go of fears and phobias and releasing anxiety.
For all of us, whoever says they are in charge, real life goes on.
Thursday 29 April 2010
Faith, short cuts & authority
We all need short cuts to understanding because it is simply not possible to know everything. I read on the internet yesterday (and therefore it must be true) that the sum total of human knowledge is doubling every 15 years. Even if this is radically inaccurate it is clear that one can not be an expert on everything.
For that reason we all need short-cuts, rules of thumb to run our life by. Without these short-cuts we would be lost in a sea of detail that one lifetime is too short to comprehend.
Where do we get short cuts from? Those who have or seem to have authority. Authority we confer on them by believing what they say. Is belief another way of saying faith?
Sometimes, especially when we first meet that authority, we will test it against what we already know. If it measure up and agrees with our principles of how the world works then we will go on to be more accepting of what the 'authority' says. We have faith until we perceive a gross deviation from our world model. That deviation may be found by scientific test or by personal deductive thought. Perhaps at that point we may say that we have more faith in our self than in the authority of others.
Is this a form of enlightenment?
For that reason we all need short-cuts, rules of thumb to run our life by. Without these short-cuts we would be lost in a sea of detail that one lifetime is too short to comprehend.
Where do we get short cuts from? Those who have or seem to have authority. Authority we confer on them by believing what they say. Is belief another way of saying faith?
Sometimes, especially when we first meet that authority, we will test it against what we already know. If it measure up and agrees with our principles of how the world works then we will go on to be more accepting of what the 'authority' says. We have faith until we perceive a gross deviation from our world model. That deviation may be found by scientific test or by personal deductive thought. Perhaps at that point we may say that we have more faith in our self than in the authority of others.
Is this a form of enlightenment?
Saturday 24 April 2010
How to read faces event in Taunton 28th April
This is not one of my events but I plan to be attending.Where/When?
Taunton Library Meeting Room. Wed 28th April 7.30pm - 10pm Entrance £5
Taunton Library, Paul Street
Taunton TA1 3XZ
0845 345 9177
Seating for up to 70 people only. Get there early
Who will be interested?
Business owner, Managers, therapists, counsellors, Law Enforcement, Sales People in fact almost any one who works with other people!
How to read faces by Naomi Tickle. http://www.naomitickle.com/
This should be an interesting evening for anyone who wants to learn about the personality of others.
Naomi has developed an idea she call personology which is about being able to read the personality of an individual by looking at their face.
It is based on work done by a US trial judge.
From a Judge's Courtroom -- A Modern Version
It was created by Judge Edward Vincent Jones. After watching thousands people in his courtroom for many years, he found he could reliably predict their personality, behaviour and innate abilities from their facial features. These were not expressions and gestures but basic hereditary structures and shapes. He was so fascinated by this knowledge that he maintained detailed records. From this mass of knowledge he realized he had documented a new science.
Now I ought to say that I am somewhat sceptical of the technique but I'm sure it will be very interesting! I look forward to mind opening experience afterall she says that the technique is 92% accurate; very impressive.
Naomi Tickle event poster
Download printable in PDF
See you there? Should be very interesting.
Friday 23 April 2010
NLP and Life coach meeting in Taunton
I met with some Life Coaches and NLP ers in Taunton recently, a very interesting bunch of people to be sure and with very different backgrounds to my own, which makes for more interesting conversations. It was intriguing to hear about the different areas that they each work in and the customer niches they have defined for their work.
We had a talk by a local Life Coach, Becky Wright who runs New Leaf Personal Development. She talked about some of the steps she had taken to to build her business since its inception in 1992.
The biggest take away was to employ a graphic designer to get your marketing materials looking good if you want to be taken seriously. And whilst printing in your office with a desk top printer may be a useful way to start it does not compare to the quality of material that a printer can produce for you.
We had a talk by a local Life Coach, Becky Wright who runs New Leaf Personal Development. She talked about some of the steps she had taken to to build her business since its inception in 1992.
The biggest take away was to employ a graphic designer to get your marketing materials looking good if you want to be taken seriously. And whilst printing in your office with a desk top printer may be a useful way to start it does not compare to the quality of material that a printer can produce for you.
Tuesday 30 March 2010
The desire for consistency and how to use it
The desire to maintain a consistent approach to our life is a powerful driver of personal actions. Once we take a decision, we will put in place all kinds of strategies to make that choice work for us rather than appear inconsistent to others.
This desire to maintain a consistent approach starts early in life, think about the negative ways we have of talking about people who do not adopt this consistency. We describe people as "a bit flaky", "a day dreamer", "a drifter" we might say "I wish he'd just make his mind up!”.
A consistent approach gives us a sense of certainty in an uncertain world.
So how could we use this desire to be consistent to our advantage?
Well let's think about two things that lots of people would like to change about themselves; losing weight and becoming a non-smoker. Writing your goal down is the first thing to be done, that will generate the desire for internal consistency. But then, use the power of your relationships with others to hold yourself to the goal.
Get some blank business cards and on each one right down something similar to "I promise by the end of 2010 I will weigh xx pounds / xx kilograms".
Or if you are a smoker and would like to be a non-smoker write down "As of 30th March 2010 I have committed to being a non-smoker and staying a non-smoker for the rest of my life."
Now give these cards to people you know, trust and respect and who respect you. That might be your spouse, your parent, your child a trusted work colleague or a good friend.
Your internal need to be consistent to those around you will keep you on your chosen path. The loss of face and personal shame that would result in backsliding on the commitment will drive you towards your chosen goal.
Will it be easier? Probably not.
Will you be more likely to achieve that goal? Almost certainly.
Is it time to nip down to the office supply store for your blank business cards?
This desire to maintain a consistent approach starts early in life, think about the negative ways we have of talking about people who do not adopt this consistency. We describe people as "a bit flaky", "a day dreamer", "a drifter" we might say "I wish he'd just make his mind up!”.
A consistent approach gives us a sense of certainty in an uncertain world.
So how could we use this desire to be consistent to our advantage?
Well let's think about two things that lots of people would like to change about themselves; losing weight and becoming a non-smoker. Writing your goal down is the first thing to be done, that will generate the desire for internal consistency. But then, use the power of your relationships with others to hold yourself to the goal.
Get some blank business cards and on each one right down something similar to "I promise by the end of 2010 I will weigh xx pounds / xx kilograms".
Or if you are a smoker and would like to be a non-smoker write down "As of 30th March 2010 I have committed to being a non-smoker and staying a non-smoker for the rest of my life."
Now give these cards to people you know, trust and respect and who respect you. That might be your spouse, your parent, your child a trusted work colleague or a good friend.
Your internal need to be consistent to those around you will keep you on your chosen path. The loss of face and personal shame that would result in backsliding on the commitment will drive you towards your chosen goal.
Will it be easier? Probably not.
Will you be more likely to achieve that goal? Almost certainly.
Is it time to nip down to the office supply store for your blank business cards?
Saturday 27 March 2010
Smokers, excuses and waiting and waiting and waiting
Why do smokers do it?
Why do they make the phone call to a hypnotherapist and say “You’re my last hope”, no pressure then…
Often a long phone call follows as they satisfy themselves that you do know what the hell you’re talking about and a booking is made for some mutually suitable date in the diary.
Then, as in a recent case with me, the following happens:
1) You get ready with your kit for the session, in my case, books, CDs and similar
2) You arrive at the clinic in good time and prepare the room (I work from a health centre)
3) You’re ready but you check your notes that were taken on the phone and…
4) You wait
5) And you wait
6) And you decide to call the client
“Hi xxx” I say “did you remember that we have a quit smoking session booked for today?”
Client: “Oh yea”
Me: “Is there a problem, do you need directions? (It’s a call to a mobile)
Client: “Uh no, I wont be coming, I’m just back from hospital” (Blatant grasp for sympathy)
Me:”Oh, dear, what’s happened?” (I’m going for concern but my excuseometer detector is off the dial)
Client “It’s me boy in’it. He’s got bronchitis, had an attack and we had to take him in” (It’s not my fault I’m not there and you can’t argue with this one mate)
Me: “Right…so you won’t be in today. Would you like to rebook for next week” (I know she is never going to re-book)
Client: “Yea, yea, I’ll give you a call next week”
Me: “OK bye”
If what she said was true has she ever considered just why her boy might have bronchitis? Could smoking in the home and car have something to do with it?
Some people are just so challenged by making a change that staying in the same place is the only option they feel they have. Of course it’s not always great being where they are but still the thought of change scares them so much they are paralysed by inaction and go back to watching the master hypnotist in the corner of the room. (The TV)
This clinic scene has been played out enough times now that I’m bored with it. It costs me time and money and the ‘would be’ client is still puffing away like there is no tomorrow; which for them may be true.
So recognising that you can lead the client to change but you can make them do it, I have changed.
I did think about not doing quit smoking work any more but in the end came up with the idea of getting folks to pay fully in advance. It builds motivation in the client and it means that I’m not out of pocket if they don’t show.
Does that sound harsh? Perhaps, but for me to continue doing this work, first of all, I as a therapist have to survive. Having other people waste my time and money makes that all the more difficult.
By the way any smokers that do actually want to stop and stay stopped can contact me. The cost for the work is £195 for a two session package. If you want to book, expect to get your credit or debit card out whilst on the phone……….you know why.
Why do they make the phone call to a hypnotherapist and say “You’re my last hope”, no pressure then…
Often a long phone call follows as they satisfy themselves that you do know what the hell you’re talking about and a booking is made for some mutually suitable date in the diary.
Then, as in a recent case with me, the following happens:
1) You get ready with your kit for the session, in my case, books, CDs and similar
2) You arrive at the clinic in good time and prepare the room (I work from a health centre)
3) You’re ready but you check your notes that were taken on the phone and…
4) You wait
5) And you wait
6) And you decide to call the client
“Hi xxx” I say “did you remember that we have a quit smoking session booked for today?”
Client: “Oh yea”
Me: “Is there a problem, do you need directions? (It’s a call to a mobile)
Client: “Uh no, I wont be coming, I’m just back from hospital” (Blatant grasp for sympathy)
Me:”Oh, dear, what’s happened?” (I’m going for concern but my excuseometer detector is off the dial)
Client “It’s me boy in’it. He’s got bronchitis, had an attack and we had to take him in” (It’s not my fault I’m not there and you can’t argue with this one mate)
Me: “Right…so you won’t be in today. Would you like to rebook for next week” (I know she is never going to re-book)
Client: “Yea, yea, I’ll give you a call next week”
Me: “OK bye”
If what she said was true has she ever considered just why her boy might have bronchitis? Could smoking in the home and car have something to do with it?
Some people are just so challenged by making a change that staying in the same place is the only option they feel they have. Of course it’s not always great being where they are but still the thought of change scares them so much they are paralysed by inaction and go back to watching the master hypnotist in the corner of the room. (The TV)
This clinic scene has been played out enough times now that I’m bored with it. It costs me time and money and the ‘would be’ client is still puffing away like there is no tomorrow; which for them may be true.
So recognising that you can lead the client to change but you can make them do it, I have changed.
I did think about not doing quit smoking work any more but in the end came up with the idea of getting folks to pay fully in advance. It builds motivation in the client and it means that I’m not out of pocket if they don’t show.
Does that sound harsh? Perhaps, but for me to continue doing this work, first of all, I as a therapist have to survive. Having other people waste my time and money makes that all the more difficult.
By the way any smokers that do actually want to stop and stay stopped can contact me. The cost for the work is £195 for a two session package. If you want to book, expect to get your credit or debit card out whilst on the phone……….you know why.
Monday 8 March 2010
Simplify, simplify simplify
My old boss (now dead sadly) was a right bugger to work for. His attention to details clashed with my rather more relaxed approach. There were often fireworks, his attention to details sometimes seemed obsessive and he still managed to get things wrong.
But I did learn a lot from him, most of it good.
He wrote software code in the C language. As any software people out there will know, it is possible to write messy and complex C. This style of code is frequently filled with hard to track down bugs.
His mantra was; simplify, simplify, simplify. Use simple constructs, think about what you want and test as you go.
It worked for his software and I think it can work more generally in life too. So now I am on a mission to simplify the complexities of my own life. I aim to streamline what I do and how I do it.
The aim is to be both more creative and more productive; with the level of complication that we have in life today it's almost a miracle that anything gets achieved.
This is likely to be a task that is ironically far from simple. I expect it to be a process that happens over a year or more but I'll highlight the more interesting bits on this very blog.
How much more more creative and productive could you be if you simplified your life?
But I did learn a lot from him, most of it good.
He wrote software code in the C language. As any software people out there will know, it is possible to write messy and complex C. This style of code is frequently filled with hard to track down bugs.
His mantra was; simplify, simplify, simplify. Use simple constructs, think about what you want and test as you go.
It worked for his software and I think it can work more generally in life too. So now I am on a mission to simplify the complexities of my own life. I aim to streamline what I do and how I do it.
The aim is to be both more creative and more productive; with the level of complication that we have in life today it's almost a miracle that anything gets achieved.
This is likely to be a task that is ironically far from simple. I expect it to be a process that happens over a year or more but I'll highlight the more interesting bits on this very blog.
How much more more creative and productive could you be if you simplified your life?
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Busy life working what about play?
A busy time in my family life means that posting here has been rather reduced. However whilst contemplating how things were last night I realised that the modern notion of "work/life balance" was completely wrong.
If you enjoy working it's not the negative that it is often supposed to be. So my perspective is that we should have a better work/play balance.
In that equation I'm doing too much working and not enough playing. How about you?
Thursday 11 February 2010
Changing times
I travel around the country a good deal. Over the last year it has been painful to the destruction that the recession has brought about. Jobs lost, dreams shattered, business' going broke after years of operation.But things do seem to be changing, I was at a trade show recently where almost in spite of the market circumstances, people were out promoting themselves and the business'. There comes a time when simply accepting the gloom from the powers that be, is no longer acceptable.
Certainly I have seen an up-tick in my own one to one therapy work and others I talk to in the same line have seen this too.
So it's probably a bit early to say "let the good times roll" but how about "let's make our own good times in-spite of bankers, politicians and speculators".
As far as I know this is the one opportunity at life we have some grab it with both hands and enjoy the ride.
Saturday 30 January 2010
A business book you'll want to read
I must have read dozens of business books. Some have been autobiographical in nature (like that of Victor Kiam, the man who bought Remington because he liked the razor) and some have been more philosophical. Most have been quite 'dry' with, you sense, a good deal of inconvenient truths left out.
So where do place a book with all the inconvenient truths left in? At the top of your reading list if you run or would like to run a small or medium size business. Which book would this be? "Get Off Your Arse" by Brad Burton. Brad is well known in the UK as the Managing Director of the largest Nationwide Networking organisation, 4Networking.
The book is part autobiographical, part motivational and part plain old common sense with splashes of earthy humour. Let me say that the provocative style will not suit every reader; there are no spreadsheets or graphs and very few notes on how to construct a business plan. And yet.......this may well be the most valuable business book you will pick up. Why? Beacuse through Brad's anecdotes and tales of lost opportunities, glorious mistakes and finally resounding business triumph, you will see the way to secure your path to a great business.
This book will not tell what markets to be in or what location to choose but there many simple practical tips here that can be applied to almost any business. This is a motivational shot in the arm that will have you ditching excuses and taking action that moves your business forward. As Brad might put it, "If sitting around in your underpants is not working" then buy this book.
It may not change your world but it could just change your approach enough to get you back on track to growing your business. Highly Recommended.
So where do place a book with all the inconvenient truths left in? At the top of your reading list if you run or would like to run a small or medium size business. Which book would this be? "Get Off Your Arse" by Brad Burton. Brad is well known in the UK as the Managing Director of the largest Nationwide Networking organisation, 4Networking.
The book is part autobiographical, part motivational and part plain old common sense with splashes of earthy humour. Let me say that the provocative style will not suit every reader; there are no spreadsheets or graphs and very few notes on how to construct a business plan. And yet.......this may well be the most valuable business book you will pick up. Why? Beacuse through Brad's anecdotes and tales of lost opportunities, glorious mistakes and finally resounding business triumph, you will see the way to secure your path to a great business.
This book will not tell what markets to be in or what location to choose but there many simple practical tips here that can be applied to almost any business. This is a motivational shot in the arm that will have you ditching excuses and taking action that moves your business forward. As Brad might put it, "If sitting around in your underpants is not working" then buy this book.
It may not change your world but it could just change your approach enough to get you back on track to growing your business. Highly Recommended.
Monday 18 January 2010
It's that time of year when...
The newspapers talk about weight loss or maybe just being fat a lot this time of year.
Swedish weight watchers cause floor to collapse. Oh well there goes the stereotype of the slim Swedish blond.
Only eat raw food and lose weight? Well you can do it that way; here's what happened.
You could try the military boot-camp approach...
Or you could start to re-educate your body and mind with this...
Friday 15 January 2010
It turns out that stress does cause cancer
An article on the Daily Telegraph web site reports on a paper published in Nature that seems to show that common, everyday stress can cause genetic mutations in different cell types. These different cell mutations then form a kind of pathway allowing the faster growth of tumours.
The work was conducted on fruit flies whose genetic sequence is well known.
It seems it is more important than ever to find ways to let go of the daily stresses of live to stay healthy.
One way to do that is try one of my MP3 downloads on http://www.gift4life.com.
Of course you already know how to reduce stress, the tricky thing in this social and economic environment is how to achieve it.
The work was conducted on fruit flies whose genetic sequence is well known.
It seems it is more important than ever to find ways to let go of the daily stresses of live to stay healthy.
One way to do that is try one of my MP3 downloads on http://www.gift4life.com.
Of course you already know how to reduce stress, the tricky thing in this social and economic environment is how to achieve it.
Wednesday 13 January 2010
Not more snow?!
There was a very dicey moment for me in the car going up, rather than down Vagg Hill, Yeovil. I pressed the brakes and nothing happened...or rather the wheels just locked. Not a nice feeling at all as you slide towards a road junction, even at just 5 miles per hour.
I took this picture today, it's the view from Vagg Hill looking towards Yeovil.
Monday 11 January 2010
Part of me is dissapointed...
Part of me (probably my inner child) is just a bit disappointed by the lack of snow today.
Others will explain that their business has taken a financial hit and that people are frustrated because they can't get to where they would like to be but...
Even so, I would still love to see, great big fluffy flakes of snow fall from the sky and cover everything with at that all enveloping, perfect whiteness that only new snow can bring. I know that it causes problems but aren't people just a tiny bit happier when they share their 'awful' snow stories. Perhaps it's just me finding some good in what for some will no doubt be a miserable experience. (I'm glad I'm not attempting to travel by air for example.)
Sadly for my inner child, sleety rain seems to be the best I can hope for tomorrow but Wednesday...could be more snow then.
Others will explain that their business has taken a financial hit and that people are frustrated because they can't get to where they would like to be but...
Even so, I would still love to see, great big fluffy flakes of snow fall from the sky and cover everything with at that all enveloping, perfect whiteness that only new snow can bring. I know that it causes problems but aren't people just a tiny bit happier when they share their 'awful' snow stories. Perhaps it's just me finding some good in what for some will no doubt be a miserable experience. (I'm glad I'm not attempting to travel by air for example.)
Sadly for my inner child, sleety rain seems to be the best I can hope for tomorrow but Wednesday...could be more snow then.
Sunday 10 January 2010
The trouble with wind turbines
The trouble with wind turbines is that when you most need the energy they produce, they produce nothing at all.
This one outside the Innovation Centre in Yeovil (near the Football Ground) has not turned a blade in weeks.
If all we have for renewables is wind energy, we will need some very effective energy storage systems in the near future.
Saturday 9 January 2010
Icicles
There are some beautiful things to see in the most unlikely places.
Here are the icicles hanging from the edge of my shed roof in Yeovil
Friday 8 January 2010
Do they have a death wish?
It seems that a warm car negates common sense on icy roads (God I sound like an old fogey).
It's -5 degrees C outside, roads are only slightly gritted and yet I see people driving as if it were a warm and sunny day. My guess is that many of them are young enough not to recall the last really cold winters we had in the early 80s.
My prediction for the day: lots of small traffic shunts and a large pile of insurance claims.
Thursday 7 January 2010
If you want to be well and lose weight watch this
Watch this video and learn lots about how you can; beat cancer, lose weight and live longer.
Change your diet and change your live
Change your diet and change your live
Use the snowy weather to make plans
More snowy weather today and a quick trip in the car (very slowly) this morning had -10 degrees C registering on the dash display.
With lots of people working from home it's a great time to be putting together your plans for 2010. You do have plans for 2010 don't you?
With lots of people working from home it's a great time to be putting together your plans for 2010. You do have plans for 2010 don't you?
Wednesday 6 January 2010
New Resolutions looking a bit battered?
Since around 2001, I have been on a journey exploring the world of personal development. I have worked with NLP, hypnosis, EFT and other techniques first to change me and then to show others how they might change.
Traditionally this is the time of year when people make new commitments to make a positive change in their life. From dropping a bad habit to dropping a dress size, it is the New Year that has us resolving to make a change.
Most of these resolutions get broken within days, old habits are restarted and months may roll by before a new start is made.
So here is an alternative idea for you; commit to making a change even though you might fail. Commit to making a change even though you may not know how you will achieve your goal. Think about a child learning to walk, we KNOW that at first they will fall over (fail), and yet we will help them up as many times as required UNTIL they learn to walk.
We never say "Well that's it, this baby is never going to walk!"
We keep going UNTIL it happens.
So if your new year resolution has already taken a battering, pick yourself up, start again and keep going UNTIL your reach your goal. You'll get there eventually.
Traditionally this is the time of year when people make new commitments to make a positive change in their life. From dropping a bad habit to dropping a dress size, it is the New Year that has us resolving to make a change.
Most of these resolutions get broken within days, old habits are restarted and months may roll by before a new start is made.
So here is an alternative idea for you; commit to making a change even though you might fail. Commit to making a change even though you may not know how you will achieve your goal. Think about a child learning to walk, we KNOW that at first they will fall over (fail), and yet we will help them up as many times as required UNTIL they learn to walk.
We never say "Well that's it, this baby is never going to walk!"
We keep going UNTIL it happens.
So if your new year resolution has already taken a battering, pick yourself up, start again and keep going UNTIL your reach your goal. You'll get there eventually.
Snow in Yeovil
The snow has now arrived in Yeovil. A good fall of about 2 inches came down overnight although it does not feel that cold outside.
I expect that the usual traffic chaos will ensue. The weather forecasters say there is a better than even chance of more falling through the day.
I expect that the usual traffic chaos will ensue. The weather forecasters say there is a better than even chance of more falling through the day.
Tuesday 5 January 2010
Have you noticed?
Have you noticed the post Christmas obsession with weight loss?
We have adverts from every weight loss company in the country on TV, in the papers and of course on the internet.
It is a lucrative business as most people actually, lose weight, gain weight, lose weight, gain weight etc. etc.
If you would like to see or hear my take on changing your body shape then take a look at this http://www.gift4life.com/acatalog/Slimmer_You.html
We have adverts from every weight loss company in the country on TV, in the papers and of course on the internet.
It is a lucrative business as most people actually, lose weight, gain weight, lose weight, gain weight etc. etc.
If you would like to see or hear my take on changing your body shape then take a look at this http://www.gift4life.com/acatalog/Slimmer_You.html
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