When it comes to paperwork, or any tedious task, how can we go from dread to “let’s get it done”? And what does hypnosis have to do with it?
Meet Peter. He’s a programmer, and he really doesn’t like his boss, Lumbergh. But Lumbergh comes around Peter’s cubicle pretty often to ask about the TPS reports. And Peter dislikes doing the TPS reports. Did I mention Peter really doesn’t like Lumbergh?
Anyhow, here’s the hypnosis technique and an example of Peter using it.
1. Take a minute or two and breathe slowly and deeply.
- You can do the Countdown Technique or just simple deep breathing.
- This clears your mind and prepares you for the next step.
2. Ask yourself, “What’s the benefit in doing this task? What’s motivating me to do it?”
- Now I realize that some will say there’s no benefit in finishing the paperwork. But at some point in the chain of thinking, there’s a benefit.
- This is a crucial step. Don’t skimp here. Take the time to get an emotionally strong answer.
3. Visualize what’s important or the outcome you want.
- You can even imagine talking to the person that benefits from this task completion if that helps. Or if there’s no great benefit, then you benefit by virtue of it being off your desk so you can do other things.
3. Then start the task. If your energy flags, go back to step one or two.
Here’s how Peter could use this technique.
Peter: “Okay, I finished the deep breathing in step one. Now I have to figure out how getting the TPS reports done makes a difference. Frankly I don’t care about the TPS reports. But let me give this technique a try. I need to find one positive from it.
Peter: “Hmm… If I finish them early, then Lumbergh will spend less time hanging around my cubicle. That’s it! I’ll visualize myself at my cubicle with friends! That’s what I want!”
Peter spends a few moments visualizing what he wants. In his mind he’s joking around with this friends, and he’s enjoying time at the office since the TPS reports got finished.
After a bit of practice, he’s whizzing through the TPS reports. Before this technique, his subconscious really hated the TPS reports and had no reason to move quickly. But now his subconscious sees that there’s a good reason to finish early. He’ll spend less time with Lumbergh, and he’ll spend more time chatting with his friends at work.
Peter’s no longer focused on what he dislikes. He’s focused on what he likes. And his subconscious is helping him get things done faster.
What about more complex situations?
If you have questions on how to use this technique for your situation, feel free to call me. I’m happy to chat for five minutes at no charge.
And if you’re thinking the names Peter and Lumbergh sound familiar, you’re right. They’re characters from the movie, “Office Space.” They had an outrageous scene with a hypnotherapist, much more outrageous than my blog post. If you haven’t seen it, don’t worry; I won’t tell you what happened. But it’s worth renting.