This document discusses when athletes should give themselves autosuggestions using self-hypnosis. It recommends giving suggestions on the day of competition to reinforce any previous suggestions. Autosuggestions should be given before and during breaks in the competition, which requires being able to quickly enter and exit self-hypnosis in under a minute without others noticing. Regular practice is important to gain speed and skill with self-hypnosis so it can be used effectively during athletic competition.
This document discusses when athletes should give themselves autosuggestions using self-hypnosis. It recommends giving suggestions on the day of competition to reinforce any previous suggestions. Autosuggestions should be given before and during breaks in the competition, which requires being able to quickly enter and exit self-hypnosis in under a minute without others noticing. Regular practice is important to gain speed and skill with self-hypnosis so it can be used effectively during athletic competition.
This document discusses when athletes should give themselves autosuggestions using self-hypnosis. It recommends giving suggestions on the day of competition to reinforce any previous suggestions. Autosuggestions should be given before and during breaks in the competition, which requires being able to quickly enter and exit self-hypnosis in under a minute without others noticing. Regular practice is important to gain speed and skill with self-hypnosis so it can be used effectively during athletic competition.
This document discusses when athletes should give themselves autosuggestions using self-hypnosis. It recommends giving suggestions on the day of competition to reinforce any previous suggestions. Autosuggestions should be given before and during breaks in the competition, which requires being able to quickly enter and exit self-hypnosis in under a minute without others noticing. Regular practice is important to gain speed and skill with self-hypnosis so it can be used effectively during athletic competition.
Emil Coue, an eminent hypnotist of the early 1900s, also
advocated general suggestions. To him the end
result was the only thing that counted. Dr. Kroger relates that Coue "emphasized that a general, nonspecific suggestion was best, since it would be received uncritically. He became famous for a phrase he urged his patients to say to themselves several times a day, 'Everyday, in every way, I am getting better and better.'"[17] Note that Coue's phrase does not enter into details about how the person will get better and betterjust that he will. Does the phrase work, though? In many instances, yes. Coue enjoyed enormous success with his patients, who responded most favorably to the general autosuggestions they gave themselves. This was no accident, for clinical studies by psychiatrist John Hartland and associates of his confirm the effectiveness of the general autosuggestion approach. [18] From this it should follow that what works for people in the area of health most certainly will work for them in the area of .sports When to Give Yourself Suggestions Probably the most convenient time to give yourself .autosuggestions is on the same day you compete Obviously, you do this minutes or hours before the competition begins. By waiting until the day you compete: 1) you should know who your opponent will be, and perhaps have a chance to gather intelligence about his strengths and weaknesses, and 2) you should know what the weather will be like, whether or not you will be playing before a hostile crowdin short, better understand the playing conditions that might affect your performance. Knowing these variables, you will be able to give yourself tailor-made autosuggestions. For example, if you know the crowd will be against you, you can give yourself the suggestion, "During the entire game I will play with total concentration no matter what!" This kind of suggestion will go a long way toward eliminating the crowd as .a factor Another excellent reason to give yourself autosuggestions on the same day on which you compete is that the suggestions will be fresh. Studies indicate that the more recent
the autosuggestion, the more likely it is that
you will carry it out completely. Reports Dr. Kroger, "A posthypnotic suggestion may last for months to years. It is agreed, however, that it may remain effective for several months. During this period, decrement occurs in the quality of the posthypnotic performance."[19] There is nothing wrong with giving yourself autosuggestions a couple of weeks or months before a big game or match; in fact, it is highly commendable that you do this. To be on the safe side, though, give yourself reinforcing autosuggestions on the day of competition. [20] You want to do this in case the effects .of your earlier suggestions have waned Ideally, for a major upcoming competition, you should give yourself autosuggestions every day in the days or weeks preceding the contest, as well as on the day you perform. If you do this, about the only way you can lose is if your opponent is physically and/or technically superior to you. (You try to be sure that such is not the case by working on your physical fitness and the technical aspects required in your sport.) Some people believe constant reinforcement will render an autosuggestion "stale" and ineffective; actually, the opposite is true. Dr. Kroger notes: "Periodic reinforcement tends to increase its effectiveness; repeated elicitation does not weaken it."[21] Therefore one should not .worry about too much reinforcement So, the answer to the question, "When do you give yourself autosuggestions?" is (1) especially on the day you compete, and (2) preferably on the days and weeks .preceding the competition as well Giving Yourself Autosuggestions during Competition without Anyone Noticing Having developed the ability to instantly enter and exit the hypnotic state, you quickly can give yourself suggestions and "awaken" yourself, thereby wrapping up the session without making it some sort of grand .production I have also mentioned that you can develop the capability of playing your sport while in the hypnotic state By giving yourself .(this is something I have done occasionally ) the suggestion to "act normal but still
remain under hypnosis," you can compete in your sport, carry
on a conversation, and so on without others being the wiser. Perfecting this capability takes a little extra practice, and one's first attempt sometimes .betrays a lack of spontaneity and monotone-sounding speech In any event, competing while in the hypnotic state has no great advantage over giving yourself autosuggestions beforehand, and during breaks and time outs. But, you wonder, how can I give myself suggestions during breaks and time outs? Obviously, quickness developed from practice is the key. And quickness is imperative because the rules do not permit you much time during breaks and time outs. In a tennis match, for example, you are allowed but one minute to rest and towel off between the change of sides. So, to use self-hypnosis during competition you must be able to rapidly enter the hypnotic state, give yourself suggestions, and "awaken" yourself; all this must take ,place in a minute or less. Once again, though this capability is not that difficult to develop. Many athletes acquire the necessary speed after just a couple .of self-hypnosis practice sessions By giving yourself autosuggestions quickly, you escape attention and do not attract stares. This is an important point because most of us are self-conscious to some degree. Your opponent and the spectators really will not look at you twice as you sit on the bench during a break with your eyes closed (or however else you appear while giving yourself autosuggestions). At most they will say, "Oh, he's resting" or "He's concentrating." Even if there is an expert on self-hypnosis in the crowd, he will not know for sure what you are doing. He would have to ask you afterwards if you were using self-hypnosis or meditation during the breaks to confirm his suspicions. Despite outward appearances, you are not "resting" or merely ".concentrating" Through self-hypnosis you are actually laying the groundwork for your victory and your opponent's downfall. Of course, your opponent does not know that. In fact, afterwards he will probably wonder what hit .him, what kind of dynamo he just ran up against
Sometimes your opponent or the spectators will be too
gregarious. During breaks you might be unable to give yourself autosuggestions because of people, or your opponent, talking to you; or, some other interruptions might arise. There is little you can do about this. Just make sure that before you arrive for the .competition you have already given yourself suggestions Summary of Important Points To become proficient in the use of self-hypnosis, and also a :mentally tough athlete Practice self-hypnosis as often as possible. Spend 2 to 10 (1 minutes for each practice session. Attempt to acquire the instant self-hypnosis capability