Something that’s really struck me about the work I do with people is their bravery. There are very few universals in the clients that I see- and everyone is very unique and different- but there’s something deeply touching about people’s wants, needs and desires to change. Often when people have come to see me, they’ve given up in the past and that’s how they’ve let their problem(s)/issue(s) get to a level where they really desire to make a change or they’re so keen to improve their lives from the state they feel they’re already in- that they go at it with full force.

I was reflecting on this when I read a passage last night from Irvin Yalom’s “The Gift Of Therapy” and there was a short passage which really struck a chord;

“Heddeger spoke of two modes of existence; the everyday mode and the ontological mode. In the everyday mode we are consumed with and distracted by material surroundings- we are filled with wonderment about how things are in the world. In the ontological mode we are focused on being per se- that is , we are filled with wonderment that things are in the world. When we exist in the ontological mode- the realm beyond everyday concerns- we are in a state of particular readiness for personal change.”

The key phrase I believe is the latter. Clients don’t usually get through my door until they’re already ready to begin to make that personal change- and being ready to make a difference in any aspect of your life often requires bravery.

The Catch 22 is that i’m not wholly sure if it’s the bravery that creates readiness or vice versa or if actually they’re both just fueling along. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter- the important part is the decision. Are you ready, and indeed brave enough, to make changes in your life?

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist at 1 Harley Street, London. W1G 9QD

The Lewis Clinic is a clinic of hypnotherapists working from the centre of London at Harley St, but also includes many clients from North, South, East and West.

Increasingly, as the years go by- i’m considering more and more how much of an excuse New Year can often be to create unintended resolutions. It’s almost as if inherent inside the idea of a time bound proposal, is the proposition that actually it doesn’t need to be adhered to. Oh, If I want to eat what I want to eat until New Year, or smoke extra amounts of cigarettes or procrastinate even more – that’s fine because i’ve set myself the target of January 1st. This would be fine (and it completely is fine, if it’s working for you) apart from often unconsciously because we’ve not really dealt with the root consequences of why we want to lose weight, stop smoking, stop procrastinating, boost our self esteem- or whatever it might be- we’re lucky if we get to February.

In Feburary we don’t really beat ourselves up though, as we were never that resolved to do anything in the first place. We were just trying it out- and now all the hype has faded, so does our motivation. This all seems a really gloomy perspective, don’t you think?

So, here’s the deal.  In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with New Year’s Resolutions. As an arbitary date in the calendar year when we can start to improve the quality of how we want to live our life- it is quite handy. Other people are doing it, there’s encouragement all around, it’s not a date you’re going to forget for when you started the new you- and if you resolve to have targets really met by January 1st 2012- there’s a real calibration point in which you can compare difference.

Here’s the crux of it, though. Recognise the time scale is arbitary. You’re not making these changes for the magazines, for your friends or family (primarily) or to suit some ancient time keeping system handed down by the ancient Egyptians – you’re making changes for you. Because you want a better quality of life. You want to achieve your maximum potential. And because you are already, and can do so much more of what you want. When you’re ready to make those sorts of changes, give me a call and together we can really smash 2011.

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist working at The Lewis Clinic, 1 Harley Street. Working mainly with actors, athletes and politicians as well as private clients – he is well known for his ability to achieve lasting results. Phone for a discussion or to book an appointment, on 07738088632 or alternatively e-mail at info@zackpolanski.com

Something that’s really struck me about the work I do with people is their bravery. There are very few universals in the clients that I see- and everyone is very unique and different- but there’s something deeply touching about people’s wants, needs and desires to change. Often when people have come to see me, they’ve given up in the past and that’s how they’ve let their problem(s)/issue(s) get to a level where they really desire to make a change or they’re so keen to improve their lives from the state they feel they’re already in- that they go at it with full force.

I was reflecting on this when I read a passage last night from Irvin Yalom’s “The Gift Of Therapy” and there was a short passage which really struck a chord;

“Heddeger spoke of two modes of existence; the everyday mode and the ontological mode. In the everyday mode we are consumed with and distracted by material surroundings- we are filled with wonderment about how things are in the world. In the ontological mode we are focused on being per se- that is , we are filled with wonderment that things are in the world. When we exist in the ontological mode- the realm beyond everyday concerns- we are in a state of particular readiness for personal change.”

The key phrase I believe is the latter. Clients don’t usually get through my door until they’re already ready to begin to make that personal change- and being ready to make a difference in any aspect of your life often requires bravery.

The Catch 22 is that i’m not wholly sure if it’s the bravery that creates readiness or vice versa or if actually they’re both just fueling along. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter- the important part is the decision. Are you ready, and indeed brave enough, to make changes in your life?

Zack Polanski is a Cognitive Hypnotherapist at 1 Harley Street, London. W1G 9QD

The Lewis Clinic is a clinic of hypnotherapists working from the centre of London at Harley St, but also includes many clients from North, South, East and West.