Why Pep Talks Don't Work

Ever wonder why pep talks don't work? You'll find out in this week's Grasshopper Notes essay from John Morgan for the week of September 8th.

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

Why Pep Talks Don’t Work

Ever watch a coach on the sidelines trying to fire up a player with a big pep talk? You’ve seen how well that usually goes. Spoiler alert: not very.

Here’s why: pep talks and habits don’t speak the same language. Pep talks hit the head. Habits live in the body—the part that actually does the thing.

Muscle memory doesn’t care if someone’s yelling, “C’mon! Focus! You got this!” It just keeps running the same old program.

That’s why people leave motivational seminars feeling like they’re ready to conquer the world . . . and by the next day, the motivation’s gone. It wan’t bad advice—it just never made it to the part of you that takes action.

The truth is, you can get the best advice in the world. But if you don’t follow through, nothing changes.

So what does work? Practice.

Let me give you an example. I was watching a top-ranked tennis player at the U.S. Open. She didn’t play well in the later rounds. And get this—she had changed coaches a week before the tournament, hoping to fix her serve. Now, I don’t know much about tennis, but I know habits. And no matter how good the advice, one week isn’t enough to rewire muscle memory.

It usually takes about three weeks for a new habit to even start to take hold—and only if you’re religious about practicing it.

The mind understands the instructions. But to get through to the body? You need a translator. And that translator is practice—and patience.

So yes, get the coaching, get the guidance, get the counseling. But don’t for a minute think the words alone will transform you. Only action will.

Practice may not make you perfect, but it will perfect your performance.

The great violinist Jascha Heifetz once said, “If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it.”

And if you ever forget how powerful practice is, remember this old joke. Tourist in New York City stops to ask a cop, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” And the cop says: “Practice.”

All the best,
John