Self-hypnosis is easy. In fact, you've already hypnotized yourself about many things. You hypnotize yourself every time you repeat something over and over again with intensity and emotion. For example, people may say, "I just can't learn math" or "I'm not mechanically inclined" or "I'll never be wealthy." These people have said these statements so often (to themselves and/or others) and with so much intensity that they've hypnotized themselves into believing them.

And the funny thing is that when you try to tell one of these hypnotized people that, for example, they really can learn math, they're so thoroughly hypnotized that they'll try to convince you that you're wrong! These people truly are in a hypnotic trance.

You can hypnotize yourself into feeling relaxed. You can hypnotize yourself into feeling powerful. You can hypnotize yourself into feeling self-confident. You can hypnotize yourself into conquering your fears. You can hypnotize yourself into having a relaxing, fun filled day.

There's nothing magical about hypnosis. When hypnotized, you can't be persuaded to do anything against your will. Many people have seen stage hypnotists who seem to have this power, but the people being hypnotized could "wake up" at any moment if they chose to. They simply don't want to.  

Hypnosis is a form a meditation in which, in a relaxed state, you allow yourself to believe what the hypnotist (in this case, yourself) tells you. Notice the words "allow yourself." At all times, you have a choice.

Here's all you have to do to allow yourself to be hypnotized:

1. Pick what you'd like to hypnotize yourself into being, doing and/or having. Get as clear a picture as you can of the problem you'd like to solve, the issue you'd like to address or the change you want to make in your life.

2. Set a definite time period for your hypnosis session. Experiment to find the length that works best for you. If you haven't done anything like this before, start with a brief session of only five or ten minutes. It's often hard, in the beginning, for people to sit and concentrate without outside distractions, so start slowly to acclimate yourself to this activity.

3. Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed and where you can adjust the lighting. Dim lighting is best rather than a completely darkened room. Some people enjoy playing soothing music in the background.

Sit down and close your eyes. You could sit in a chair that reclines slightly and you might want to cover yourself with a light blanket. The goal is for you to be comfortable while awake. It's best if you stay awake so don't lie down. If you're so tired that you might fall asleep even sitting up, go to sleep and do this exercise at another time.

4. Count slowly from ten to one. With each number say words to yourself, that will encourage you to become more and more relaxed. For example: "Ten. I'm going deeper." "Nine. I'm going deeper and deeper." "Eight. I'm feeling completely relaxed." "Seven. My body and mind are letting go. It feels so good to let go."

Don't rush through this counting. Let yourself experience going "deeper and deeper."

Some people, instead of counting, find it helpful to consciously relax their bodies. For example, you might say to yourself, "Relax neck. Relax shoulders. Relax right arm. Relax left arm." Continue through each major body part. Count to three between each body part to let yourself experience the relaxation.

5. When you are relaxed, repeat to yourself whatever you want to hypnotize yourself into believing. It's fine if your mind wanders. Let it. But, even as your mind is wandering, keep repeating what you want to hypnotize yourself about. For example, "Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better." "I attract prosperity and abundance into my life." "Today will be a day filled with wonders and magic."

You may choose to record these words for playback rather than saying them to yourself. If you do so, we suggest having someone else do the recording for you. Hearing another's voice repeating the message is often more powerful than hearing your own.

As an alternative to the repetition of your chosen words or phrases, some people use a visualization such as projecting themselves into the future and seeing themselves being the kind of person they want to be, doing the things they've always wanted to do and having the life they've always dreamed of.

Use whatever technique seems most powerful to you.

6. Whenever you're ready to end the session, open your eyes and slowly stretch to reconnect with the world.

That's all there is to it. Will you immediately have in your life what you've just worked on hypnotizing yourself into having? Probably not. But consider this: Whatever you have already hypnotized yourself into believing took time. Some of your beliefs took years before being fully adopted. It takes time to hypnotize ourselves into new beliefs, new ways of being, new ways of doing and new ways of having.

The difference between those who are successful at self-hypnosis and those who aren't is persistence. It takes time and patience. As the author, speaker and psychologist Wayne Dyer suggests, "Infinite patience produces immediate rewards."