Wow, I had no idea it had been so long since the last time I posted a Blog entry. I guess I kind of got sucked into the Corporate World more deeply than I thought I would...

I will work to be better at this.

Today was an Information Overload, as I took a class from NGH Vice President Don Mottin on Rewiring the Brain for Stroke Survivors. So much wonderful, valuable information, I'm having a difficult time wrapping my mind around it! I had no idea that there were 4 different kinds of strokes (which, of course, range in severity), or that there was such a wide variety of issues that stroke survivors (and their caretakers!) have to deal with. Hypnosis can't help with all of the issues, but it's certainly a very powerful tool to help dramatically improve the quality of life for these people.

I also had no idea that, since 2/3 of strokes happen to people 65 and over, that obviously leaves a whopping 1/3 of strokes that happen to people *under* 65! Incredible! Imagine all the good ways in which I can help people diminish the possibility of ever having a stroke, by reducing their risk factors such as smoking and being overweight...

I have a shiny new certificate to frame and display, and more training materials coming my way for a wide variety of other topics. And I've been brainstorming all day on new ways to market myself, my knowledge and skills, as well as creating an Intention that I am putting out into the Universe, knowing and believing that it is manifesting even now.

2011 is going to be my most exciting year yet, and it starts NOW!!!

Happy 2010!

So it's a New Year... My resolution this year is to get the word out about Hypnosis in as many ways as I can! I've got postcards to post around town, I've been advertising on the Back Page of the Austin Chronicle for the past 7 weeks (one more week to go!). I've gotten a few phone calls from those ads, and (so far) one paying client. It's been a good experience, and is certainly something I will consider doing again.

My next major advertisement is a listing in the Austin Woman Magazine's annual Pink Pages, coming out in the February issue. I splurged on the 80-word listing, and I think it looks pretty good! I've also been invited to the Pink Pages Launch Party with all the other advertisers, which should be a good networking opportunity.

It's my hope that I can do at least one 7th Path Self-Hypnosis class each month this coming year. I think I've found a suitable space for that, I just need to negotiate terms with the occupants. And, of course, I will be continuing to ask all my clients for referrals to their friends and family members and for testimonials that I can add to my website.

I'm also planning to start writing articles, with the intention of getting published in some of the local health-oriented magazines (Austin All-Natural, Whole Health, etc.), and I need to start looking ahead to the summer for my Continuing Education credits. Last summer I wanted to take a Stage Hypnosis class, as 1) I think it would be a very enjoyable experience, 2), I think it would be a lot of FUN to be a Stage Hypnotist and 3) it would be an *excellent* marketing tool for me! I'd like to attend the NGH National Convention, and spend time being around other professional hypnotists. So I need to get a LOT more clients so I can afford both of these trips! I picked up a copy of the latest Austin All-Natural yesterday evening, and the first article I turned to was written by Joe Vitale (who I actually got to meet, albeit briefly, in December). I've got a lot to learn from him!