:: Step 4: Instruction Set - Fear

The STOP & REPLACE System – Fear    

Fear

You will begin the process of restructuring with fear. At the top of the first blank Stop and Replace System form, please write Fear in the first box. If there is something specific to you such as fear of crowds, etc., write that in next to it. Fear can also include doubt, insecurity, etc. In other words, you could be insecure about accomplishing your goals, about the way you look, about your relationships. All of these pertain to Fear.

Benefits of NOT doing this and Empowering Questions

In the left column below fear, it states Benefits of NOT doing this. If you have a difficult time thinking of the Benefits of not being fearful, refer to the Stop and Replace Samples. If you refer to the samples, only use the information there if it is specific to you. Remember you also refer to the Benefits of doing something as anchors so what you are doing is moving yourself away from what you wish to restructure. What might the advantages be for not being fearful?

Can fear keep you from getting things done? Yes. If this applies, write in. “I will not procrastinate over things I know need to be done.” In the right hand column, you will write a correlating Empowering Question. If your positive anchor was “I will not procrastinate,” the Empowering Question would be…“How can I restructure procrastination?”

You have now begun the process of moving away from fear by realizing a Benefit for not being fearful and asked a question that will begin to move you toward something that will empower you. Something else has also happened here. You have also uncovered something else you want to restructure which is, procrastination. Much of the time when you are writing down Benefits of NOT doing this, you will uncover other things you may want to restructure so always scrutinize your Benefits for anything else you wish to restructure.

What other positive benefits might there be for not being fearful? If you do not procrastinate, you will be more productive so your next benefit might be…“I will be more productive.” The Empowering Question would then be…“How can I increase my productivity?”

If you are not spending time on fear or procrastinating, then you would have a lot more time to spend on your food and fitness plan and other things you enjoy; so the next benefit for not being fearful might be: “I will have more time to spend on my food and fitness plan and other things I enjoy.” The Empowering Question would be…“How can I find more time to spend on my food and fitness plan and other things I enjoy?”

Would the elimination of fear give you more control? Yes! Therefore, the last benefit for not being fearful might be…“I will have a greater sense of control over my environment and myself.” The Empowering Question would be…“How can I gain a greater level of control over my environment and myself?”

Answers to Empowering Questions

Right below the Benefits and Empowering Questions, you will see a space for Answers to Empowering Questions. Be sure to fill this in when the answers come to you. Remember you do not have to sit and work on a question. Just keep asking and the subconscious will eventually give you one. It is important to come back to this every day and continue asking these questions until you are completely happy with the answers.

Describe your Replacement Picture - Associated

Describe your Replacement Picture. The most important question to ask yourself when restructuring a behavior is…What can I use to replace this habit, behavior, or emotional state with that will benefit me?

You cannot just quit something and leave a blank spot in the mind; you must replace it with something before you quit. A good example of this is someone who says…“I can’t quit smoking I’ll gain weight.” You gain weight because you did not make a conscious choice of what you were going to replace the habit with so your subconscious mind made a choice for you.

There are no limits for this replacement picture. You do however want to make the replacement picture as compelling as possible which means you want to focus on the results as opposed to the process. In other words, everyone likes the results of exercise but very few people enjoy the process so it is important to create an image that is the most compelling to you. The basis for this new picture needs to be a combination of the results of the goals you listed in Step 2 in the Subconscious Perspective and the description of the new self you wrote down in Step 3 the Subconscious Self-Image.

After establishing the picture of the new self, enhance it in any way you possibly can. For instance, add music to it if you have a favorite song, add whatever colors you want, or put people in the picture who make you feel good. Also, make sure you always focus on the results of your replacement picture.

Example: If fear is preventing you from getting something done, you want to establish a picture of having the task done as opposed to going through the process.

Describe your Old Picture - Dissociated

Now write down a description of the old picture and remember to stay dissociated from this picture. Do you remember how to dissociate from your negative pictures? If not, go back to Step 3 and review.

“The Structure of Your Subconscious Pictures.” It is important you remain dissociated from all pictures in your subconscious you wish to change.

Your Cue for Fear

After you have written down what the old picture looks like, I want you to take a look at that picture and then back it up. That’s right! Go in reverse until right before you begin the behavior. This is known as your Cue. Your Cue is also referred to as a trigger. The Cue is the most difficult part of the Stop and Replace System so if you cannot think of your Cue right now, do not concern yourself with it; just ask yourself the question: What is the Cue or trigger for this issue? It is important to recognize the Cue, so as soon as you think of it, write it down. There is always a beginning to every subconscious process, and it is imperative you stop it before it gains power and takes over what you truly want.

The Switch Pattern for Fear

Now for the fun part, are you ready? We are going to learn how to do the switch pattern. First I would like you to get a good clear vision of your Replacement Picture, Associated. Do you have a clear vision of your new picture? Once you have established that picture, set it aside for a moment.

Now bring up your Old Picture, Dissociated. Remember anytime we talk about the old picture make sure you remain dissociated from it by putting yourself in the back row of a theatre as opposed to actually being part of the picture.

When you recognize your Cue in the old picture, say STOP to yourself and then move the picture closer to you, make it smaller, smaller, darker and darker until it's a little black BB right in front of your face.

Now shoot it back behind you and blow it up into a million molecules while saying REPLACE to yourself, which will simultaneously bring up the new picture. That is the Switch Pattern. This is how you restructure a behavior that does not work for you and create a positive permanent change in the subconscious.

All the elements that constitute an emotional state and behavior are within the Stop and Replace System. As long as you assert control and consistently restructure the old process you will have optimum control of your subconscious programming.