As a hypnotist, I usually hypnotize clients instead of talk about math. But I’d like to share a quick equation. Whether you want to lose weight, stop smoking, or change another habit, this equation can be a helpful framework.
Below is a rough excerpt from my upcoming hypnosis book, The Change Equation. By the way, the math in this article is pretty simple. But if you need to, gloss over the numbers and focus on the key points.
For some readers, this article may reduce self-criticism, as readers realize that change is about beliefs and not about blame.
Meet Jane Smith, a top sales rep at ABC Widgets Inc.
She’s got a great job, great spouse, 2.5 kids, a house with a white picket fence, and she’s pretty happy. Well, except for one thing… she’s been gaining weight.
Now imagine we have an old-fashioned computer as big as a small closet.
This computer calculates the power of a person’s beliefs. And change stems from the power of beliefs, because beliefs determine our actions, and our actions lead to results. Beliefs help or hinder success.
- The scale runs from 0 to 10.
- 10 = a very powerful belief.
Jane puts on the helmet that’s attached to the computer, and I press the “CALCULATE DESIRE” button. Beep beep, boop boop, click click (it’s a loud computer).
The computer prints out the following:
- Jane wants to lose weight for two main reasons.
- “I want to live a long and happy life.”
- “I want to look better; I want to be slender, again.”
- Desire score: 7.
Since 10 is the highest level, that means her positive motivation is fairly high at a level 7. But as they say in the late-night infomercials, “But wait! There’s more!” Besides the desire to change, we often have a part of us that wants to stay the same.
I press the “CALCULATE STAY STUCK” button. Beep beep, boop boop, click click.
The computer prints out the following:
- Jane wants to overeat for two main reasons.
- “I work long hours and deserve a treat. Food is my treat.”
- “And my life is unbalanced. I’m going to overeat until I feel balanced.”
- Stay Stuck score: 9.
The Change Equation is (drum roll, please)…
- (DESIRE score) – (STAY STUCK score) = (Net score)
- Net score ranges from 0 to 10, with 7 as our minimum target.
- 7 means change will happen at a moderate pace. 10 means a much faster pace.
- Each person is unique, so the numbers are relative to that person.
For Jane, her DESIRE score is 7, and her STAY STUCK score is 9.
- (DESIRE score) – (STAY STUCK score) = (Net score)
- That means 7 – 9 = -2.
Negative two? A negative two means even if Jane loses some weight, she’ll likely gain it back. This is bad news!
But have no fear! We have options!
We have two variables that we can adjust.
- We can boost Jane’s DESIRE score.
- We can decrease Jane’s STAY STUCK score.
- Or we can adjust both scores for a bigger effect!
And this old-fashioned computer is so advanced, it will let us adjust the two scores.
Remember the equation: (DESIRE score) – (STAY STUCK score) = (Net score).
- Jane’s DESIRE score is 7. Her STAY STUCK score is 9.
- Let’s raise the DESIRE score from a 7 to a 10.
- Then we decrease the STAY STUCK score from a 9 to 0.
- Apply the equation of (DESIRE score) – (STAY STUCK score), and we get 10 – 0 = 10.
- Now Jane has an awesome net score of 10, so losing weight will be much easier for her.
- Instead of her internal battle, she’ll lose weight without feeling deprived.
Now in real life, this computer doesn’t exist.
We don’t have a computer that can boost the positive and decrease the negative so elegantly. And there isn’t a computer that can read your mind to pinpoint your beliefs. But we can pinpoint our beliefs and adjust our DESIRE score and STAY STUCK score. We just need two things.
All we need is the human mind plus hypnosis skills.
When you’re in the relaxed state of focus called hypnosis, you can discover the beliefs that help you succeed and discover beliefs that keep you stuck. And during hypnosis, you can adjust the two different scores: the DESIRE score and the STAY STUCK score.
Sometimes change requires action in the physical world. If Jane’s subconscious mind feels that her life is out of balance, then Jane can take actions to bring her life into a better balance. And as she does that, it’s easier to lose weight.
In essence, your mind is the computer! And during hypnosis, with some skills, practice, and sometimes action in the physical world, you can adjust the two types of scores, so that you reach a 7 or higher. The higher your score, the more easily you’ll make the change with less effort and more ease.