I think it is appropriate to discuss what self-confidence is, before discussing how a self-hypnosis cd may help improve self-confidence.

We, as human beings, do many things on automatic pilot or without having to think too much about it… at least consciously any how. An example would be tying a shoelace. Even though we might have gone through a few years of fashion wearing slip on’s, if we needed to, we would not find any difficulty in tying a shoelace. That is because we have done it so many times before that we know just what to do and do not have to give it too much conscious thought. So if you were to ask someone, how confident are you that you can tie a shoelace, they would probably say ‘very confident’. They feel confident about it because they have done it many many times before successfully. In fact they now give very little thought to actions required to tie that shoelace as it all happens automatically.

This is a type of self confidence. Knowing something so well, that as the saying goes, you could do it with your eyes closed or you know it like the back of your hand.

When someone says that they lack confidence or have low confidence, they can so easily make the mistake of covering their whole life with this description or tag. They might even say ‘I never have any confidence in myself’. By saying this out loud to others who will listen, or thinking it to themselves they will be setting up a self-fulfilling prophecy. The label you give yourself or the label you accept as being true (whether from a friend, family member, colleague or even from school) will invariably mean that you start to fit yourself to that label, and, can make it your own living reality.

Yet, that person above will be able to do many things with confidence but, and here is the big ‘but’ they will not use these successes and evidence of confidence, as they should be used. They will ignore them or diminish them in some way (e.g. saying “I was lucky”) so that they do not contradict this label that they have accepted of having no confidence. Which is a pity because it is only taking a realistic view of what happens in their world, will they then be able to feel more confident about themselves.

It can be quite amazing how someone will say they have no confidence and yet 5 minutes later they will tell you about some amazing things that they do such as talking in front of 10,000 people, or they go mountain climbing. Despite undertaking these events, which ordinarily seem nerve wracking events, they may still say that they have low confidence.

So confidence or the lack of it, has a lot to do with how you view yourself. If this is the case then really it is down to a perception. Perceptions are not a true reflection of reality all of the time. Often perceptions even between just 2 people can be remarkably different even though these 2 people have in reality, experienced exactly the same thing.

Perceptions are the filters we use to process what happens around us. Our perceptions can make us feel good, bad or indifferent. They can give us a boost of energy or deflate us into an anxious and fearful mass. Our perceptions have power.

Our perceptions are, more often than not, based on our past conscious and subconscious experiences. They are our way of analysing what happens around and enabling us to decide the implications for us. When experiencing anything, our minds will very quickly compare the current experience to past experiences and, these past experiences will indicate how we should react to this current experience. If we have had a bad experience that seems very similar to the current experience, we will feel in a similar way to the feeling we associated with that past bad experience.

So our perceptions are based on past experiences (mostly).

Once we realise this, we can take control of our perceptions and change them particularly when you accept how incorrect our perceptions can be. We have all had the experience of perceiving someone or some situation in a particular way, only to realise that we got it completely wrong. With this in mind, although our perceptions are a form or protection and are meant to enable us to weigh up a situation quickly, they can also be wholly inaccurate.

Positive and healthy self-confidence begins by accepting that your perception of yourself may just be wrong. For instance, some friends will be astounded when someone announces (may be on a drunken evening), how they feel they have such low confidence. These friends will say will all sincerity that they find this hard to believe as they always appear confident and in control. Yet that person will still insist that they lack confidence. Obviously the signals that they are externalising are not the same as those that they are internalising. Often the person who appears to be the most confident and out-going will have terrible doubts and internal conflicts. The external bravado will be they way of masking how they feel inside.

Good, strong and healthy self-confidence begins by admitting and accepting more evidence of what you can and do well. It also begins by accepting as true those positive and complimentary comments made to you. In the past you may have dismissed a positive comment that was said to you because you didn’t know how to handle it. You may even have made a joke of it or tried to dig up the tiniest fragment of evidence as to why you don’t deserve such praise. Many people say something like this ‘Oh, it was nothing’.

How can you possibly retain healthy self-confidence if you always dismiss or undermine your achievements? You can’t, so decide from today not to do it. In fact decide from today to say just two words when some one says something nice or complimentary about you or something you have done. These two words are ‘thank you’. Try it out next time and see how you feel about it. It will help you start to feel the confidence that has always been they re waiting for you.

The use of a Self Confidence self hypnosis cd can help the mind to absorb positive suggestions for change. Changes in perception and behaviour are also encouraged.

There are other aspects to gaining healthy self-confdience which will be disussed in another article.

About the Author

Clinical Hypnotherapist
Self Confidence help

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The most important thing is to make sure you book a professional. An amateur or part-time magician maybe able to perform amazing magic but there is a lot more to it than that. Will they turn up on time? Will they be smartly presented? Will they work hard to make sure they see every guest? Will they have the experience to cope with any last minute changes?

Remember that if you are hosting or organising an event, the magician you choose will reflect on you. In the same way, a professional magician who’s livelihood depends on performing regularly will look after all the small details because it reflects on them and their prospects of getting more work.

How do you know someone is a professional? After all, anyone can say they are but what can you do to check that it’s true?

How to Spot a Professional Magician

Check that the magician has a good website and/ or printed promotional materials. These days, magicians often rely on a website to provide information to prospective clients because it is so easy to keep a website up to date. Many also have videos or DVDs and printed materials including photographs. Of course, this doesn’t make them a great magician but it does indicate their professionalism. It can also give you an idea of what a performer is like if you haven’t met them.

Check that the magician is a member of magic societies such as the Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. These societies require magicians to be serious and accomplished performers before they are allowed membership. Another good sign is if they are a member of an organisation like Equity, the UK performers union or similar professional body.

Check the magician’s list of clients and engagements, and testimonial/ recommendation letters. A professional magician should be able to provide details of past clients and engagements - if they can’t something is wrong. The types of events they have been involved with will indicate if they are the right magician for your event. The letters and quotes can be helpful, although it is unlikely that any bad quotes will find their way into someone’s promotional materials! However, the number and quality of the quotes should give you an idea of how well received a performer is. Don’t be afraid to ask for copies of the original letters or emails.

Check that the magician has public liability insurance. This is very important! The magician may be closely interacting with your guests, perhaps borrowing objects from them and a professional will be covered for any accidents that may happen.

Is a Particular Professional Magician Right for You?

So, you’ve found a professional magician. How do you know they are right for you and your event? Obviously, seeing them perform is the best way. Often a magician will work regularly at a restaurant or club, or even have a regular stage show and this is a great opportunity to see them in action. However, some magicians only perform at corporate and private functions and you may not be able to see them in public.

Promotional materials and information about past clients and engagement should give you a pretty good idea what they are like, but a quick phone call is the best way. Have a chat with them, ask them what their performance style is like and what types of magical effects they perform. If you like what you hear and can get on with them over the phone, it’s a good sign.

Price and Negotiating a Fee

Often the main factor when deciding which magician to choose is price. Fees for professional magicians vary a lot because they depend on many factors such as the date and time of the event, how well known the magician is, what type of magic you want them to perform, how long you want them for, etc. But, as with most other services and products, you get what you pay for. Good magical entertainment is not something that you can get cheaply. If you are shopping around and enquiring with many magicians, going with the cheapest may not be the best option!

When negotiating the fee it can be a good idea to be up front and state what the available budget is. This could save both you and the magician a lot of time. If one magician is too expensive or is not available, they may be able to suggest another magician or entertainer for your event. Their opinion is worthwhile, since they should be well aware how good other magicians are and suggesting someone unprofessional would reflect badly on them.

Finally, remember to check whether the fee you negotiate is fully inclusive and that there are no hidden extras such as VAT or travelling expenses.

Note: This article is written from a UK perspective, but many of these tips will be relevant in other countries.

About the author:

Dan Gifford is a UK Corporate Magician and UK Wedding Magician. For more about UK magicians visit www.magician-entertainer.co.uk.

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So what s Hypnosis? Is it the Funky Chicken, the Tina Turner impression or eating a juicy lemon thinking that is a nice ripe peach? In around the 1780 s a European medic called Mesmer began a fascinating journey that would change the world of therapy and entertainment forever! This outwardly appearing eccentrically wonderful flamboyant character took his therapy to the stage and created Stage Hypnosis.

Over two hundred years after this momentous event the world is still saying WOW in amazement to this gracious art. Hypnotherapy has come so far and I believe that we are now in an age where we now know so much of how the mind works and what makes us tick, that it is possible to successfully change our lives into the dreams that we wish them to be! During my time as a Hypnotherapist I have enjoyed tremendous results from my clients, I put this down to my main work ethic, which is When I work with someone my only aim is to help them achieve the kind of life that they desire through empowerment! Said the UK s top Hypnotist, Richard MacKenzie, he followed by saying, Eventhough Hypnotherapy is a serious mainstream therapy, I believe that it should not forget its roots and separate itself from Stage Hypnosis, but see it as a vehicle to promote the wonderful benefits of Hypnosis in Therapy.

Hypnosis can be briefly described as an altered state of consciousness, just like daydreaming. While in Hypnosis, changes can be made in the part of the mind that you don’t consciously use, this is called the sub or unconscious mind. Also while in Hypnosis you will feel relaxed and comfortable and will be able to hear the Hypnotists voice guide you to make the changes that you want to achieve. Hypnosis is a perfectly natural state, as mentioned it’s a bit like being in a daydream. You will know exactly what is going on around you, but also be so completely relaxed. Hypnotherapy is also about empowering the individual to make changes in their life. So by coming just for Smoking, Weight Loss or Stress, you will leave your session being able to use Self-Hypnosis, to change and make the life you’ve always dreamt of.

About the Author

Richard gained much public exposure with the release of his book, SELF-CHANGE Hypnosis which is a complete guide to Self Hypnosis. Over and over again, he has personally helped many people in top and influential positions to realize their potential and to reach for even greater goals! br>
Please visit Richard’s site at http://www.richardmackenzie.co.uk/richard_mackenzie_130705_funky_chicken.htm

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