Swish Problems

The way to do this is through a process we call the swish pattern. It can be used to deal with some of the persistent problems and bad habits people have. A swish pattern takes internal representations that normally produce states of un-resourcefulness and cause them to automatically trigger new internal representations that put you in the resourceful states you desire. When you find out, for example, what internal representations make you feel like over eating, with the swish pattern you can create a new internal representation of something else that is more powerful and would cause you, if you saw or hear it to push food away. If you link the two representations, whenever you think of over eating, the first representation will instantly trigger the second and put you in a state of not desiring food. The best part of the swish pattern is that once you implant it effectively, you do not have to think of it ever again. The process will happen automatically, without any conscious effort. Here is how the swish pattern work.

Step # 1: Identify the behavior you want to change. Now make an internal representation of that behavior as you see it through your own eyes. If you want to stop biting your finger nails, imagine a picture of you lifting your hand, bringing your fingers to your lips, and biting your nails.

Step # 2: Once you have a clear picture of the behavior you want to change, you need to create a different representation, a picture of yourself as you would be if you made the desired change and what that change would mean to you. You might picture yourself taking your fingers away from your mouth, creating a little pressure on the finger you were going to bite, and seeing your nails perfectly manicured and yourself as well dressed, magnificently groomed, more in control, and more confident. The picture you make of yourself in that desired state should be disassociated. The reason for this is that we want to create an ideal internal representation, one that you will continue to be drawn to rather than one you feel you already have.

Step # 3: Swish the two pictures so that the un-resourceful experience automatically triggers the resourceful experience. Once you hook up this triggering mechanism, anything that used to trigger biting your nails will now trigger you into a state where you are moving toward that ideal picture of yourself. Thus, you’re creating a whole new way for your brain to deal with what in the past may have upset you.

Here is how to do the swish: Start by making a big bright picture of the behavior you want to change. Then, in the bottom right hand corner of that picture, make a small dark picture of the way you want to be. Now take that small picture, and in less than one second, have it grow in size and brightness and literally burst through the picture of the behavior you no longer desire. As you do this process, say the word “wooosh” with all the excitement and enthusiasm you can. Most individuals may realize this may sound a bit juvenile. However, saying “wooosh’ in an excited way ends a series of powerful, positive signals to your brain. Once you’ve set up the pictures in your mind, this whole process should only take about as long as it takes to say the word “wooosh”. Now in front of you is a big, bright, focused, colorful picture of how you want to be. The old picture of how you were has been smashed to smithereens.