Your Action Plan For A More Successful Hypnotherapy Business!
Have you heard of the Knowing-Doing Gap?
It basically means that you know what you NEED to do but you AREN’T actually doing it.
It seems to be a big issue in the world of hypnotherapy. It’s like we all know what we need to do to improve our business, our marketing, our systems, our resources but for some strange reason we don’t actually do it!
Well this is where it all changes.
Get a pen and some paper and start making notes as you follow this simple 5 point action plan.
All you need to do it make those notes, put together your thoughts and ideas and then commit to taking action TODAY! That’s right, no excuses. It’s time to build the hypnotherapy business you always wanted but for some reason keep putting off.
A – Where do you want to be 12 months from now?
What would your ideal hypnosis business look like?
How many new clients a week?
Annual Revenues?
Improvements to practice?
New Projects/ Specialisms?
Personal Success Level?
B – Where are you right now?
Now that you know exactly where you want to get to…
How does your current reality compare?
You may need to be very honest and blunt with yourself here.
It doesn’t matter, the truth is that once you get real clarity about where you are compared to where you want to be, a roadmap will already start to write itself.
All that matters is clarity!
C – What resources do you need to get from A to B?
Do you need to invest more time in certain activities?
Do you need to improve your business skills?
Do you need to improve your marketing?
Do you need more training?
Do you need more mentoring or support?
D – What do you need to get over?
What’s really holding you back now?
Do you need to change some beliefs about the world or about yourself?
Do you need to let go of perfectionism?
Do you need to stop worrying what others think of you?
Do you need to increase your own feeling of self-value?
Are you trying to do too much?
Are you making everything too confusing?
Do you not trust yourself or your level of knowledge?
E. What to do now?
Once you end up with some individual goals you need a step-by-step plan to get to each one.
Ultimately, so long as you are moving forwards any action is better than nothing because you can always course correct.
What is the most achievable goal for you on your list that also feels very motivating?
What is the next step you can take to move you closer to it?
If you commit to putting all your energy into getting there it’s going to be much easier than you think!
Each day commit to at least one major action that will move you closer and you’ll be there before you know it.
How about as your first step, post a comment right here now letting us know exactly what action you’re going to take first!
For my success to continue I need to encourage more dedicated, self-motivated and loyal clients.
Clients that are prepared to work on their self-development.
Clents that understand that unless they work personally towards their enevitable achievements those achievements will not eventuate.
Hi Ed,
Nice to hear from you again.
The action plan is ongoing…my website is being redesigned as we speak…I am really excited about what I am learning from both yourself and other mentors that I have taken on to keep me accountable.
If I may give you some feedback Ed.
You are a very softly spoken man and you are sometimes difficult to hear, I am often moving around as I listen to you so would really love it if I could hear every word, after all you have some very important information!
I truly love feedback as I am sure you do,the positive stuff is good but we don’t get to learn from that!
When my website is up and running I would love your views and imput Ed.
Love your work and thank you for being so caring and generous!
Speak again soon
Deborah Bow
Hi Deborah
I completely agree.
Video is not the most comfortable platform for me so I’m working hard to break through that. Put me in a room full of people and all is fine but, of course, video training is the way forward and so it’s a work in progress!
Ed
Hi Ed
Thanks for all the help you are sending out, First thing I need is a timeline to start out. I have had my diploma for a year and had thought I would wait until my counselling diploma is complete before I set up in business. Your blogs have helped me to realise that I dont need to wait, I already have the qualifications and experience. Thanks again and looking forward to more of your work.
Tracey Sargent
It’s a very good point Tracey.
In general it is better to move, get feedback and adapt. It’s certainly a quicker way to a goal.
Planning is all very well, but you’ve got to know when the planning is done and be ready to start running uphill for a while.
Tracey
I did my Dip C Hyp only a few months ago and started a Hyp clinic almost immediately, I have had 12 clients already.
I told my 1st client that the first session would be 1.5 hrs because of the counseling, ended up only an hour and so I only charged him for an hour.
When he came for sess 2 he told me that he had noticed a change already. I felt a sudden surge of confidence, did some research on counseling. I realized that I can counsel, I just didn’t think that I could. meanwhile I am still researching and learning and helping people.
I identify with everything listed above in your section D: What do you need to get over? The first step, for me, is to talk with groups about the value and benefits of hypnotherapy. I’m planning to attend my first Toastmasters meeting this week.
My biggest hurdle, however, is that I do not trust myself or my level of knowledge. I’d appreciate any feedback about knowing how one gets over that.
Hi Irene
I have been in Toastmasters for years, it is incredibly valuable. Great to hear that you are looking at it.
The first manual that you get when you join Toastmasters will teach you the basic building blocks of giving a speech, very important. After that there is a broad range of topics that you can learn about, from memory around 70 advanced speeches.
We are all different, but for me as a relatively new hypnotists, perhaps the best is the creative reading manual. It will teach you how to put life into your scripts and make them something special and unique for your clients.
Hi Tony, Hi Irene
I agree with Tony, I’ve been in Toastmasters since January 2007 officially, but was attending before that. The first 10 speaking projects give you a very good grounding in various skills for giving a good speech if you follow the objectives closely. I found it led to me being invited to speak at two hospitals about stress management and getting paid for it!
The main thing is that Toastmasters meetings offer you feedback on your speeches, and the format is to offer twice as much positive feedback as recommendations, so you really get that people are on your side more than you know.
Join as soon as possible.
Hi Ed, well thanks again for the kick in the pants! I got my Dyp c hyp recently but did feel a little short changed by the organisation which affected my confidence, since then I have been an avid visitor to your site and Hypnothoughts.com, ( once again thanks for the tip ) and now realise that I can do this, I am good at what I do and I need to get off my butt and make it happen. Today I am committing to start work on my website, find some possible space to work from and get some business cards out there. Phew! now I’ve gone and done it!!
Thanks Steve
Great to hear the positive talk there.
Keep it up, you’re doing a great job.
Today I have written down 5 goals with specific completion dates. Those dates will put me in a position to market and start seeing clients by December 1, 2009
Lori Patnode
Hi ED,
Firstly I have to say you have been my life line during this very quiet period for after Christmas. My business has been growing nicely then all went quiet over Christmas. I was feeling bleak about it until I came across you Art of Optimism site. It has been a breath of fresh air and thankfully things are starting to move again.(Big sigh of releif) I have been in NLP training for many years and I am setting up my own practice after realising it as a way to fully live my values.
I really needed to do that Business plan. It has focussed my mind and got me quite excited about my future. It has also helped me to get down some clear steps to take.I was a perect example of knowing and only doing it very very slowly! Now i feel fully charged – thanks!
My first steps.
Find two new clinic venues in surrounding areas.
Book a London clinic once a month.
all that tomorrow!
P.S I also teach drama – I agree with the comment about your vocal dynamic not quite matching the dynamism of your message. A Tip that might be useful:
think of a suit of cards –
1 being the lowest status and confidence level – King being the highest. At the moment your status level is for me at about a 7. Where as your written stuff is a KING and beyond! Just tell yourself next time you do a video blog to up it to a 10! Then when comfortable move to a king… you can adapt it ad fine tune to feel comfortable. Tony Robbins suggests wearing an imaginary cloak – walk around your office in it before you sit down. Just by thinking the higher number your voice will come across more confidently. Hope this helps – I look forward to seeing the result.
Tara
Thanks Tara
I really appreciate your positive feedback and I’m glad things are picking up again. I hope you have the best year ever in 2010. You sound like you have a lot of passion and energy to bring to your clients’ lives.
All the best and keep up the great work!
ps. I was definitely finding video a different beast when I started this blog but I’m hoping it’s getting better now. Certainly more familiar. I’ll try your ideas to push things even further although I don’t think I’ll be giving that Oscar acceptance speech any time soon though!
What you’ve proved here is that we all need mentoring, however ‘sorted’ we think we are.
I qualified (Dip Hyp & Dip RTh)a couple of years ago and started my practice just over a year ago. It started well but has tailed off in the last couple of months. Thanks to you I have renewed energy and ideas.
My first step is to get networking – locally and online.
Hi Ed,
Great information! It illustrates why many clients come to see us….they know what they want, and what they need to do….but they just can’t or don’t do it. The first thing that a good hypnotherapist will do is to walk their talk.
With regard to your video, your speech volume did drop down at a certain point, and it gave an impression of nervousness. I don’t know why this happened because your presentation is incredibly solid.
Your eyes wander a lot. Attempt to address the camera while remaining natural…that is, avoid a fixed stare.
If you plan on doing a lot of professional videos, pay attention to the background. Have it as neutral as possible.
Last thing,don’t use a movable chair.
I just popped in, am quite new. I was thinking while watching the video, that there is something surprisingly genuine and easy to relate to in this man. Carry on your way.
Greetings from So. California.
Thanks for the good advice. I have gotten involved in hypnotism in order to help folks and I know little about business.
I have found plenty of doubters as to the viability of hypnotherapy as a way of making a living, and so I have found motivation in your words.
Hi Ed
Thank you so much for putting in all this time and effort to allow all of us to grow as therapists. Like many I am fairly new to the profession and absolutely LOVE it! I am so glad you suggest we shoudn’t worry about competition – exactly my thoughts, but I have found a lot of therapists to be extremely protective of ‘their own turf’ and instead of helping each other grow and become more successful as an industry they seem to worry about not getting enough clients. Like you said the more awareness, the more people realise they can utilise Hypnotherapy in all areas of their lives – not just to get over habits or phobias. Anyway, I’m ranting on.
Your Hypnotherapy Report & blog postings are fabulous and I would like to comment that your video report was great. I am glad you presented it in the way you did rather then some loud, hyped up motivator from the ’80s. You come across very genuine and the content is great. Fabulous job, thank you so much!
Wishing you much success!
Thanks for your kind and positive words Carla.
Wishing you much success too!
Ed
Hi Ed, i did your questions,and I see I have a lot of work to do. Thank you, you are really helping me get on track and guiding me to success, This week I am working on my web site and my bio to put out for new clients. I also have another business and I am regrouping what I am going to do with it and were it will go.
http://www.galyenglassart.com
Hi Ed! I enjoyed our chat.
Again thank you for the information. It is of great help to me. Keep it coming.