This week I had the honour of interviewing Don MacPherson for the Enterprise Sales show podcast channel. Don is an internationally recognized mind coach who has unlocked potential within elite sports professionals from the fields of Formula One racing, Rugby union and even a Wimbledon tennis champion.

Don is a warm and practical guide, who also helps members of the public with their anxiety and performance challenges.

He shared his view on the noise presented by accidental hypnosis. ‘Ask my wife, Jane, to play tennis and she will politely decline. She’ll say, “I can’t play tennis! I don’t have an eye for the ball or any hand-eye coordination.” But if you gently pry as to why she holds such a view, she’ll say it must be true because, “Everybody has always told me I am hopeless at tennis.”’

‘If you dare to go any further you might enquire who this everybody is. You may know a few: mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends, teachers… They are Jane’s “everybody” and probably yours! All are hypnotists who were in action from her first attempt to hit a ball. Perhaps she missed or miss-hit the ball, at which point I doubt she received much encouragement. It would have been more like “Oh dear, it doesn’t look like little Jane has much of an eye for a ball, shame...”’

I can relate to how Jane bought this external information. I know during the earlier stages of my career I did not trust my own instinct, yet trusted my line manager’s judgement much more. In turn, this left me vulnerable to his suggestions and manipulations. I was frustrated but was not sure how to overcome it.

I recall a late-night conversation with my late father who told me, “You have earned the right to use your intuition, as you have made plenty of mistakes.” I am sure here was a backhanded compliment there somewhere if I look hard enough…!

If you are struggling with anxiety or want to take your performance to a new level, I thoroughly recommend Don MacPherson’s recently released book, How to Master Your Monkey Mind - Overcome anxiety, increase confidence, and regain control of your life.

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