Steve Jobs of Apple Computer_tm can get away with it, but some might argue that much of his market is expensive entertainment or novelties items sold to an extremely young, unemployed demographic group. To many of these young people he is a folk hero and dresses in a manner they approve of. Now I am not referring to the superb Mac computers that are in use by professionals and business people around the world. Those people will buy the Mac computers no matter how Steve Jobs dresses. The rest of us cannot afford to be making the statement that Steve Jobs does.

You are needing a cardiologist, a CPA for an important tax matter or a defense attorney and that person walks into the room where you are waiting for them wearing flip flops, a super bowl twenty-one tee shirt and a pair of shorts. What message are they sending to you? That they are sharp and competent? More likely it is that their approach to their work is likewise casual. That’s not the message most people want to receive! We cannot perform in a manner that is inconsistent with how we see ourselves.

I was sharing the elevator in my office building with a person that always wore a much worn sweat shirt and jogging pants. I inquired as to what he did for a living. He said “guess!” I said “landscaper?” He said “a mortgage officer.” I myself don’t want someone providing a professional service to me that has no pride in their personal appearance.

Many people emulate the clueless and classless appearance of the newer entrants into the entertainment industry. I had a forty two year old executive come into my office wearing a spike hair do that came to a point! He said that his superiors and colleagues didn’t take him seriously. I said “You have the right to wear your hair in any way that you want, however, the message that you are sending is that you are a techie. They will discount what you have to say about strategy.” A simple neat hairdo change solved his problem. Do you really think that most people want to take professional advice from someone that looks like they were on American Idol?

If a professional dresses this way, they are rationalizing that they can dress however they want to. And they can. But dressing in a casual manner in the market place, most often indicates a less than precise approach to one’s work. They mask their lack of confidence by under dressing. Gotta be comfortable. Right?

A chiropractor came into my office in very casual attire and said her name was “Doctor Tara.” She attended all the networking events but couldn’t get any business and said “I just don’t understand why.” I said “the intake history says your name is Tara Ledford. People want their doctors to look and act like doctors. Why don’t you call yourself Doctor Ledford instead of Dr. Tara and wear the white smock that established chiropractors wear? You don’t look professional. Why would someone seek your care?” At first she was upset. She wanted to dress the way she wanted to dress, but she repackaged herself as Dr. Ledford. She dressed like a Dr. Ledford would dress. She is now taken seriously and her practice is thriving. Not only will her present and future patients see her as a professional, but now she sees herself as a professional. Not as someone’s new best friend!

We can only make that first impression once, and remember – we cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with how we see ourselves.

Bob Crow is a behavioral therapist board certified in clinical and medical hypnotherapy. He practices in Atlanta Georgia working with those wishing to overcome stress, panic, phobias, procrastination and fears. With those that wish to perform better in sports, sales, public speaking, to stop smoking, to lose weight permanently, to quit sabotaging relationships and any other area of behavioral change that would make life more enjoyable.

Bob Crow

404.277.1827

www.bobcrowproductions.com

bob@bobcrowhypnosis

Air traffic control …are you declaring an emergency Cactus 1539?

03:25:10         Captain                      gear up.

03:26:54         Captain                      flaps up.

03:27:07         Captain                      after takeoff check list complete.

03:27:10         Captain                       birds!

03:27:11         cockpit recorder        (sounds of thumps followed by         shuddering sound.)

03:27:14         First Officer               uh oh!

03:27:15         First Officer               loss of thrust – both engines.

03:27:18         Captain                      attempt reignite.

03:27:23         Captain                      my aircraft

03:27:28         First Officer               your aircraft.

03:27:32         First Officer               mayday  mayday  mayday  uh this is cactus 1539

hit birds – we’ve lost thrust both engines– turning back towards LaGuardia.

03:28:10         First Officer               unable to re-ignite engines.

03:28:14         First Officer               emergency power not online.

03:29.00         First Officer               we’re gonna be in the Hudson.

03:29:11         Captain                      this is the captain brace for impact.

When the average person is confronted by a problem, a disappointment, an uncertainty, a fear, or an emergency, their common reflex action is to stress or panic. And when a person stresses, when they panic, they are shut off from their only two problem solvers, their creativity and their imagination. Our creativity and our imagination are located in our subconscious mind – not our conscious mind. We don’t need to think about what’s in our subconscious mind – that’s taken care of automatically.

What if… what if? What if our reflex was to instead of going to stress or panic mode, we reflexed to calm? Our subconscious mind, which  is where our imagination and creativity reside, would allow is to see the problem and the solution with a clarity and an insight that is not available when we are in our stressed or panicked mode.

Can this be done? Yes, as a matter of fact it can done and it is being done every day.

How did US Air Captain Chelsey Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffery Skiles react when they lost both engines on US Air 1549 only minutes and seconds after taking off? We’ve all seen the footage and heard everyone… the passengers… Air Traffic Control… and LaGuardia tower, everyone remarked how calm Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Skiles behaved through the entire ordeal. Yes, they were very well trained. But all the training in the world would have been to no avail if they would have panicked or stressed out when they found themselves flying a 375,000 pound airplane carrying 150 passengers with the engines no longer providing any power whatsoever.

The principles are they same whether you have to make a speech, you are a salesman that has to make a sale, a physician, a parent, an athlete, someone needing to pass a test, a bride planning her wedding … it doesn’t matter. If you reflex to calm instead of panic and stress, your life will be much smoother! You will evaluate the problem and deliver a solution and still remain calm.

In my hypnotherapy practice in Atlanta Georgia, there is not a day that goes by without someone’s presenting complaint having a component that requires steadiness and the ability to make decisions under pressure. If you would like to reflex to calm instead of stress or panic in your life, call Bob Crow at 404.277.18287 for a complimentary evaluation.

Bob Crow is a practicing hypnotherapist in Atlanta Georgia. He works with those wishing to overcome stress, panic, phobias, procrastination, fears, to become better athletes, better public speakers, better salesmen, to stop smoking, to lose weight and keep it off, to save their relationships, to quit sabotaging themselves and any other area of behavioral change that the desire to make.

Bob Crow 404.277.1827      bob@bobcrowhypnosis.com

Why does one fail to act even when motivated to act? Why does one fail to take action when they know they must take action? In my hypnotherapy practice in Atlanta Georgia, I see many people whose presenting complaint is procrastination. They realize the negative consequences it has in their life, but they continue to procrastinate. Why?

They’re afraid. Afraid they aren’t ready. Afraid they aren’t well enough organized. Afraid it’s not the right time. Afraid everything isn’t in place. And… afraid of failure. They have excuses but no real reasons. Failing to do what you need to do will assure failure. The results for overcoming procrastination through hypnosis are excellent! If you decide to overcome your fear and act, you’ll have the thrill of winning. If you don’t, you won’t.

I wanted to learn to fly an airplane. I went out to a small airport and said to the instructor “I don’t know how to fly.” I explained I wanted to purchase an introductory lesson. The instructor took me out to the plane and explained what the different parts did. When he finished with the outside, he said “now let’s show you what things are for in the cockpit.” He motioned for me to get into the left seat, the pilot’s seat. Not wanting him to think I already knew how to fly, and not wanting a fatal misunderstanding, I said “I don’t know how to fly.” He said “I know, but let’s show you how things work.” He showed me what the various controls and gauges were for, and then he said “Reach up and grab a hold of that handhold on the dash and pull your seat up closer.” I did. “Now fasten your seat belt.” I did. “Now put on these headphones, that way you can hear the tower and other pilots.” I did. He got into the other seat beside me and fastened his seat belt. I said again “I don’t know how to fly.” He said. “I know, now turn that magneto switch past L & R to both.” I did. “Now push in on the throttle and hit the start button.” I did – the engine started. He spoke into the microphone and said “484 Tango is rolling.”

Thinking that we would change places before taking off, I let him show me how to steer with my feet and we went to a run-up area beside the end of the runway. He said “Push on both brakes and run the throttle up to 2000 rpm and turn the switch from both to left and then to right, then lower the throttle.”  I did. Then fearing a huge misunderstanding with fatal consequences, I turned to him again and repeated “I don’t know how to fly.” He said “I know. I heard you before.” “Now steer with your feet, aim down the centerline and when we hit 65 mph lift back on the yoke and fly the airplane.” I did.

Over the next few weeks, he taught me how to take off, climb, turn, fly level and land an airplane. One day we took off and landed right away. He said “go over to the hanger.” He got out and said to me “take off and land my airplane without bending it.” I did.

Take action whether you’re scared or not. Take action whether you feel like it or not. I wasn’t ready. I was scared, but I acted. I quit procrastinating and learned to fly.

Bob Crow is a practicing hypnotherapist in Atlanta Georgia. He works with those wishing to overcome procrastination, fears, become better athletes, better public speakers, better salesmen, stop smoking, lose weight and keep it off, save their relationships, quit sabotaging themselves and any area of behavioral change.

Bob Crow 404.277.1827      bob@bobcrowhypnosis.com

As in the case of people that I see with alcohol abuse problems,  one cannot have the fifth or sixth drink or seventh drink and maybe lose the entire weekend,  unless that person  has had the first drink.  It is not news to anyone reading this blog, that alcohol impairs judgment. Period – no exceptions. Would you really want to fly on an airliner with a pilot that had been drinking? How about having a surgeon operate on you that’s been drinking as well?  Of course not.

What does this have to do with overeating? The word is inhibition. For those that are serious about losing weight,  the lowering of  inhibitions is disastrous. When some one’s inhibitions are affected, they are either unaware or do not believe they are lowered or non existent!!! For example – a person with a weight problem goes to a restaurant to have dinner with friends.  At that point the overweight person  is in control, but just barely.  He or she knows what food that they should order to eat.  But…  The waiter arrives  with the drinks,  now keep in mind, we are not talking about getting drunk.  By the time that the drink is half gone,  so are the inhibitions as well.  After the  second drink is started,  what’s left of good judgment is history. The person rationalizes that “these drinks won’t hurt” or  “this meal won’t matter” or “I’ve had a rough day” or “this is my birthday” or “I’ll really get back on my diet tomorrow!” Are these reasons or excuses? Why sabotage yourself  once again?

It is a proven fact that alcohol and weekends can be destructive when trying to lose weight.  You have been “good” all week and have cut back 600 calories. Do you realize that you can destroy that deficit and then some in a Friday night?  If you decide  it’s is more important to lose excess fat and keep it off,  rather than drinking for awhile, you will give yourself a large advantage.  It is easy enough to lose track of what and how much you are eating if you’ve had nothing to drink.  Chapter seven of my book deals with absent minded eating.  It points out that one always needs to be aware of what and how much they are eating.

Here’s something to remember – one glass of wine a day = one pound a month,  one vodka tonic a day = three pounds a month and one martini a day = close to nine pounds a month! We are not talking about giving up that glass of wine to enjoy with a meal forever,  but a tool to help you to jump start your weight loss program!

Bob Crow has a private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact Bob at 404.277.1827 if you desire to lose weight and keep it off forever!

While you were talking on the phone, you were eating potato chips. You got off the phone and discovered you had eaten the whole bag! A relationship  went in the hopper. While being upset about it and talking to a friend, you ate a whole container of cookie dough. You didn’t take time to eat lunch. By the time you got home you were  starved and felt awful. You needed something to bring your blood sugar up so you began to eat cheese and crackers while preparing dinner. When you finally realized what you were doing, you had already eaten a tube of crackers and a quarter of a pound of cheese!

Sound familiar? No one overeats because they’re  hungry. People over eat because they are upset,  worried,  bored,  hurting,  angry,  excited,  tired, depressed or even happy! Absent minded eating occurs when we are either distracted by a problem or an emotional occurrence or have deprived ourselves of nourishment by not eating a balanced meal, thereby allowed one’s energy level to drop.

Although it sabotages your weight loss program as much as deliberately and knowingly eating too much, absent minded eating is insidious. You generally don’t realize what you’ve done until after the fact. The key is to be aware. Watch for signs of a mood shift or  energy drop.

Contact Bob Crow at 404.277.1827 to lose the weight that you desire to lose and keep it off forever.

Interesting isn’t it? What do you think you were visualizing in your subconscious mind before things went sour? Not what were you wishing for – what were you visualizing? Were you visualizing a happy and productive result? Or were you visualizing something that you didn’t desire? Hoping for good things and visualizing good things are vastly different! What were you visualizing? Are you sure? Then why was the first thing out of your mouth – something to the effect that you knew in advance the things were going to go sour?

Many people visualize certain things in their conscious mind, but where and when it really counts they are visualizing what they don’t want. We were not born afraid of spiders, or snakes, or climbing trees, or public speaking, or riding in elevators or any other limiting behavior. No… we were all born with only two fears, falling backwards and loud noises. Everything else was learned.

Man is the only machine that is meta programmable. That means that he can reprogram his cognitive maps that are found in the subconscious mind! How does one program the subconscious in the first place? It is done in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. During the relatively short period of REM sleep, the subconscious can process eight hours worth of material in five minutes! A dream or nightmare that you felt went on for hours probably lasted for from three to twenty seconds. Now if all the subconscious has to process is previously processed garbage – the cognitive maps only get negatively reinforced.

The only way that one can access the subconscious mind is through hypnosis as hypnosis is the bridge to the subconscious. Hypnosis is controlled daydreaming. One cannot make the behavioral changes that need to be made in the conscious mind. That’s why pictures of Bentley  automobiles and zillion dollar houses on your bathroom mirror don’t work. You are trying to effect behavioral change in the conscious mind and that can’t be done.

If you wish to begin visualizing what you want to happen in your subconscious mind,  call Bob Crow at 404.277.1827 for a complimentary consultation.

An individual made an appointment with me for a hypnosis session. In my hypnotherapy practice I see people on a wide range of presenting complaints. Hypnotherapy is effective for so many behavioral problems; anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, to stop smoking, to lose weight, for marital and relationship issues, public speaking, to improve sports, sales or stage performance and to find out how to stop sabotaging one’s self. This person came into my office, sat down and blurted “I’m burned out”. My reply was “Then why are you here? When you say you’re burned out, you mean it’s over, there’s nothing more that can be done.” “Burned out means ruined beyond repair. It’s finished. Failure is inevitable. You’ve surrendered. You’ve succumbed.” I said to the individual that “burned out is an already accomplished state of mind. When he spoke the words “I’m burned out”, he spoke in the past tense. His words suggested he would fight no more. I explained that he probably had been carrying a huge load far too long. He was exhausted mentally, spiritually and physically. There had been too much going wrong for too long. But those are temporary setbacks and can still be overcome. But declaring that one is “burned out” is final.

Scorched, on the other hand isn’t final. It’s not pleasant, it’s undesirable and uncomfortable, but it’s not final. Things are rebuildable. The problems may be tough to bear, but they aren’t unbearable. There’s time to turn things around. No one wants to carry a negative load of frustration and disappointment, but the alternative is quitting. Giving up and laying down to die.

We have two minds, the conscious or thinking mind and the subconscious mind which is by far the more powerful. Besides housing our autonomic nervous system which controls our breathing, eye blinking, heartbeat, digestion and other non thinking systems; the subconscious mind is where we find our personality, our memory, our moods, our behavior, our habits and our two “on board” problem solvers, our imagination and our creativity.

When animals sense danger, they freeze, flee or fight. Deer often freeze in the headlights and the rabbit you surprise in your backyard flees. But here’s something that’s interesting, the deer can choose to flee and the rabbit can choose to freeze. But you can choose to fight!

When humans are confronted with a problem, uncertainly in their future or a huge disappointment, the common reflex is stress. The stress reflex blocks the subconscious mind’s two greatest problem solvers; imagination and creativity from functioning. Stressing ruins our vision and makes it become myopic.

Through hypnotherapy you can reprogram your cognitive maps, and with hypnosis, one can learn to reflex to a calmness and confidence instead of stress, thereby leaving the channels open for our creativity and imagination to flow on their highest plain. When one is calm, one sees with clarity and focus. Through our imagination and creativity we can solve our problems.

It’s okay to occasionally allow yourself to be temporarily overwhelmed and even scorched around the edges; but never burnt out. Call Bob Crow for a complimentary interview session to discuss appropriating this power in your own life.

The subconscious mind is 85% more powerful than the thinking mind. It’s how we experience ourselves and the world. The subconscious is where we find our personality, our emotions, our habits, our moods, our memory, our intuition and what makes up our cognitive maps – hence, our behavior. We cannot change our behavior in our thinking or conscious mind, only in our subconscious. The subconscious mind is where we dream. It’s where our imagination and our creativity reside. IT’S WHERE PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED.

We are wherever we are today in life is because of yesterday’s  behavior. Our tomorrows can’t be any different from our today’s unless we change our behavior. This can only be done in the subconscious mind. Hypnotism is the bridge to the subconscious. Hypnotism reaches the subconscious mind through the frontal cortex. If one has ever day dreamed, they’ve been in hypnosis! That’s what hypnosis is – controlled daydreaming. When you’ve been so involved in a book or project that everything around you disappeared and you were totally “into the book or project?” That too is hypnosis.

When one is in hypnosis one does not surrender control of their mind to someone else, one is transferring control from their conscious mind to their subconscious mind. One has more clarity, more focus and is able to function on a higher level, the level of intuition!

Copyright 2009 Bob Crow. All rights reserved.

Telling others that they can make money by thinking positive is a huge and profitable business. Don’t get me wrong, I am not against positive thinking or positive thinking books or positive affirmations. People ask me what I think about reading this or that positive thinking book or pasting up positive affirmations all over their house – I always say “it won’t hurt.” And it won’t! But you are where you are today because of yesterday’s behavior. To change your tomorrows, you must make behavioral change. But the books, CDs and affirmations are attempting to make behavioral change in the conscious or thinking mind and one cannot make significant behavioral change in the conscious or thinking mind… ONLY IN THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND. In life you will get no more and no less from what you visualize in the SUBCONSCIOUS mind. Hypnosis is the bridge to the subconscious mind.

Copyright 2099 by Bob Crow, all rights reserved. No part of this media may be reproduced, transmitted or distributed in any form by any means without the written permission of Bob Crow.