"Don't" Won't Cut It

Be careful of your "dos" and "don'ts." That the topic of 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

“Don’t” Won’t Cut It

So there I was one morning, cutting up an apple, not really paying attention — and out of nowhere my inner voice goes, “Hey . . . be smart about this.”

And thank goodness it did, because I was holding that knife in a way that could’ve turned breakfast into a crime scene. I shifted the knife, saved myself some band-aid money, and kept slicing.

Now, that kind of thing happens to all of us. We get those little messages from the inside. But here’s what caught my attention: It wasn’t telling me what not to do . . . it urged me "to be careful" – a direction of what to do. Big difference.

It actually reminded me of a scene in the movie Working Girl. Melanie Griffith is hurrying down a New York sidewalk on her way to this huge meeting, and she’s saying to herself, “Don’t mess this up.” Well . . . her actual wording was a little saltier. But I remember thinking, Wouldn’t it be better if she told herself what she wanted to do, instead of what she wanted to avoid? Of course, that was Aqjust a movie — but real life works the same way.

So here’s a question: What’s the flavor of your inner voice? Does it tell you what to do . . . or what not to do?

In the people helping work I do — I hear it all the time: “I don’t want this,” “I don’t want that.” And honestly, just a tiny shift in focus can make a gigantic difference.

Because when you start catching those “don’t want” thoughts and flipping them into “do want” thoughts, something changes. You train your mind to aim at the right target.

For example: “I don’t want to be sick.” Okay . . . but your mind, with that wish, still has to picture being sick before it gets anywhere near well.

“I want to be healthy” — now that's a clearer direction. Your brain actually knows where to go with that.

And look, none of this is magic. You won’t instantly get everything you want by rewiring your inner monologue — but you’ll be a whole lot closer than if you keep focusing on the stuff you’re trying to avoid.

It’s like that old line: “Don’t think of the color blue.” Well, now you’re thinking about blue. That’s just how our minds work.

There are definitely times when “don’t” is useful — in therapy, in communication, in advertising. But that’s another conversation. This one is about building a habit: giving your mind the clearest possible picture of what you do want.

Trust me — it’s the difference between apples . . . and band-aids.

All the best,

John