Convince Yourself

Before you can convince someone else, it's monumentally useful to convince yourself. Find out how in this mini podcast.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

Convince Yourself

You ever try to convince someone of something and start with, “Try and see it my way”?

Yeah. Me too.

That strategy is used all the time—and it rarely works. And when someone comes at us hard, we tend to dig in even deeper. Defensiveness kicks in. Fur goes up. And nothing moves.

But here’s the twist: the person most likely to be convincing . . . is the one who’s the most flexible. Someone who can step into the other person’s shoes. See the issue from their angle.

It’s like going from a narrow hallway to a wide open field—you’ve got more room to move, more options, more ways in.

Years ago, I learned a great technique from Tony Robbins called The Agreement Frame.

Here’s how it works: Two people debate a hot topic. They go back and forth for a few minutes—each making their case. Then, they switch sides.

Yup. You now have to argue the opposite point of view—and here’s the catch—you’re not allowed to use words like “but” or “however.”

It’s not easy. And it’s powerful.

Not only does it stretch your flexibility, but something surprising happens—you start to appreciate the other side. Because, for a moment, it was yours.

One of life’s tougher pills to swallow is this: there’s more than one way to look at something.

But instead of trying to eat a whole cow at once, start small. Take a topic you’re mildly attached to—something you’re not digging your heels in on. Play with it. Try switching sides. Build a story around the “other” position. Convince yourself it’s the only way. Then switch back.

Go back and forth until both sides become second nature—like flipping a coin in your head.

A friend of mine, Jerry Stocking, taught me an exercise like this. And what happens is kind of magical: at some point, the decision you’ve been wrestling with . . . it just makes you.

You don’t have to force it. You don’t second-guess it. It feels solid—because you’ve already seen it from all sides.

So before you go trying to convince anyone else of anything, start with yourself.

Try on the other viewpoints. Stretch your flexibility. Walk around the full 360 degrees of an issue.

Not only will you understand the topic better—you’ll have more empathy for the people on the other side.

And that kind of perspective? That’s where real persuasion—and real connection—begin.

All the best,

John