Hypnosis is a very powerful tool, but is often misunderstood in how it can help you overcome problems in your life.

You wouldn't believe how many times I tell someone what I do and they instantly cover their eyes and refuse to look at me, as if they believe my eyes emanate some metaphysical power that will put them instantly under my control.

This erroneous belief dates back almost 300 years to Franz Mesmer, who "discovered" hypnosis in modern times. He believed that it was an animal magnetism that emanated from the eyes. Mesmer believed that the person with the strongest will would control the other. And shockingly, people still believe this today!

People believe that a hypnotist can make someone do things against their will.

Another false belief. If I could do this, I'd be the most famous and richest hypnotist on the planet! Hypnosis can't make anyone do anything they don't want to do.

At least once a month I will get someone come to see me who wants to stop smoking. Usually it's a man and when I sit him in the hypnotic chair, I will ask, "Why do you want to give up smoking". He'll respond, "I don't really want to, but the wife made me come" or something very similar; something implying he doesn't want to stop smoking but has been made to come to see me.

It's at this stage I stop the session, tell him to save his money and come back when he wants to quit.

As a hypnotist, I can't make you do anything you don't want to. I can't make you jump off a tall building, miraculously shed all that excess weight and turn into a supermodel.

Hypnosis is a powerful tool for working with your sub-conscious mind to help it overcome any objections it may have to what you consciously want to achieve.

This is why so many New Years resolutions and other goals fail, because you consciously decide to do something and your sub-conscious says, "No way" for whatever reason and sabotages your efforts, causing you to fail. And you may not even be aware of this self-sabotage.

Hypnosis can resolve the objections of the sub-conscious mind so that it will work with your conscious mind to help you achieve whatever it is you want, whether it is getting rid of weight, quitting smoking, more confidence or anything else.

If you are trying to make changes in your life and they are not taking, then maybe you need to see a hypnotist who can help you to overcome these sub-conscious objections and finally make the changes you desire.