What is Autosuggestion?
What is autosuggestion?
Autosuggestion is the purposeful use of directed self-talk with the intention of improving your emotional state and personal performance.
Autosuggestion is the act of identifying any hazardous, disempowering thoughts you may have about a particular situation, and then consciously overwriting and replacing them with new, positive "scripts" that are more conducive to a better result.
Autosuggestion is done by consciously repeating specially written affirmations, (self-instructions) that act to condition your mind to perceive situations in more empowering ways, and thus improve the way you feel and respond.
Why does autosuggestion work?
Autosuggestion works because both your emotions and your actions are controlled by your thoughts. Not all thoughts are empowering; you have a mixture of both empowering and disempowering thoughts.
Disempowering thoughts are those that cause you to feel fear, trepidation, anxiousness, self-doubt and worry. As a result, you feel bad and perform poorly.
Empowering thoughts are those that cause you to feel courage, confidence, optimism, self-assurance and certainty. As a result, you feel good and perform well.
What is an example of auto suggestion?
Imagine a father who must make a speech at his daughter's wedding, but who is nervous because he is terrified of public speaking. His fearful reaction emanates from the thoughts he repeats to himself, whenever he imagines what he thinks will happen when he makes his speech. He thinks, "I will mess it up. I can't do it. They won't like me. I will forget my lines, I know I will. I will make myself a laughing stock. My daughter will be ashamed of me."
In order to change this reaction, he should purposefully write out a new script, that overwrites the bad scripts. He would then repeat the new script, hundreds of times, to drill into his mind the new way of interpreting the feared event.
The new script looks like this, "I am going to make a terrific speech. I'll take it slow and steady, and I will have fun. The guests will respond well because they are all friends and family and they are a very sympathetic group. It will go perfectly because I will be perfect".
The father "installs" the new script into his brain and as a result, he feels stronger and performs well.
How can I use auto suggestion?
You can use auto suggestion by taking the following steps.
1. Name the context or event that triggers a negative response.
2. Write down your current thoughts that come to mind whenever you imagine the event.
3. Notice how destructive the current "scripts" are and decide to eradicate them forever.
4. On a separate page, rewrite a more positive script, one that does not express how you feel about the event now, but rather, how you want to feel in the future.
5. Use highly emotional, positive and vibrant language to express a new positive evaluation of the feared event.
6. Work out reasons why the positive view is a plausible and logical way of looking at things.
7. When you are happy with the new script, read it aloud at least five times, and as you read it, try to visualise the meaning of the words in your imagination.
8. If you can, memorise the script.
9. At least five times every day, go over the new scripts; say them with as much force as you can muster. Don't worry that they are not "true". They will become "truer" as you repeat them over and over.
10. By dint of repetition, force your mind to accept the new programming and when it eventually does, (after about two weeks of effort) you will suddenly find yourself feeling good about the event and you will perform better.
11. When you have proved the system works in one area of your life, extend the principle to other areas and eliminate all unnecessary fears.
Definition: autosuggestion
Autosuggestion is a personal development technique. You write clear, upbeat statements about how you want to think or act, repeat them many times each day, speak them with feeling, and push out old harmful thoughts. After about two weeks of steady practice, the mind accepts the new story, lifting mood and performance.
Show CG4D Definition
- Uses self-written positive statements
- Consciously replaces negative thoughts
- Relies on daily vivid repetition
- Aims to boost feelings and actions
Article Summary
Autosuggestion is conscious self-talk rehearsal: craft a clear, upbeat script about how you want to feel, repeat it with feeling each day, and within weeks the brain adopts the new story, easing worry and sharpening performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
How long does autosuggestion take to improve mood and performance?
How many daily repetitions of my positive script are enough?
Should I say autosuggestions aloud or can silent self talk work?
What makes a good positive script for autosuggestion?
Can autosuggestion ease public speaking nerves?
Why might my autosuggestion routine fail to work?
How will I know when the new self talk has taken hold?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
A 2023 University of Michigan study found that two weeks of guided positive self-talk raised self-belief scores by 20% and cut performance worry by 13%. The 2024 UK Workplace Mental Health Report shows 68% of staff who used a daily affirmation app felt more confident and worked better.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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