As a Certified NLP Master Practitioner and Coach, one of the most frequent questions I’m asked is:
“How do I bounce back from setbacks?”
“How do I overcome adversity when everything seems to be falling apart?”
These are powerful questions—and incredibly relevant in today’s fast-paced world, where personal and professional challenges can come at us from all angles.
When working with coaching clients or teaching NLP tools for mindset transformation, I often share a profound concept introduced by Dr. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in Positive Psychology, in his book The Hope Circuit. His research, spanning decades, highlights three psychological patterns that hinder recovery from setbacks.
These are known as The Three P’s:
1. Personalization
Believing that you are solely at fault for what went wrong.
2. Pervasiveness
Believing that the setback will affect every area of your life.
3. Permanence
Believing that the pain or failure will last forever.
This concept is also reinforced by Adam Grant and Sheryl Sandberg in the bestselling book Option B, where they highlight how reframing these three beliefs can accelerate emotional healing and help individuals reclaim control over their lives. They emphasize:
“Children and adults recover more quickly when they realize that hardships aren’t entirely their fault, don’t affect every aspect of their lives, and won’t follow them everywhere forever.”
Applying the 3 P’s in Real Life: A Personal Example
Let me share a personal experience—a lesson I now proudly carry as a badge of growth.
At one point in life, I failed an important exam, was rejected after an interview, and missed out on a long-awaited job promotion. These back-to-back setbacks could have broken my spirit—but instead, they became my catalyst for reinvention.
Initially, I fell into the Personalization trap—asking myself, “What’s wrong with me?” But I quickly reframed it using an NLP coaching strategy and asked a powerful question:
“Do I know anyone who has never failed at something important in life?”
Of course not. Failure is universal. Instead of dwelling in self-blame, I shifted the focus toward what life was trying to teach me. That mindset opened the door to possibility and growth.
Then came the challenge of Pervasiveness. When something fails in one area of our life—career, relationships, studies—we sometimes let it spill over into everything else. I almost did. But I chose to compartmentalize. Just because my career had a pause didn’t mean my entire life had to pause.
In fact, had I not experienced those setbacks, I would never have enrolled in the powerful NLP, Hypnotherapy, and Coaching programs that have now transformed my life—and the lives of my clients. The very “failures” I once feared now feel like aligned redirections.
And lastly, my favorite “P” to overcome: Permanence.
One of the most empowering realizations you can have is this:
Everything changes.
Pain, disappointment, failure—none of it lasts forever. Growth is inevitable if we simply stay open.
Whether it’s learning a new skill, exploring new paths, or landing an opportunity that once seemed out of reach—change is always possible. It’s the law of nature.
Reframe Your Story with NLP and Mindset Coaching
In my coaching practice, I help clients apply these principles using tools from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), hypnotherapy, and emotional resilience coaching. When you shift how you interpret life’s challenges, you unlock the ability to rewrite your story.
Remember:
- You are not your failure.
- A setback in one area doesn’t define your whole life.
- This moment is not your forever.
So if you’re navigating a tough chapter right now, give yourself permission to pause, process, and pivot. Your Option B might just be the path you were meant to walk all along.
As a Certified NLP Master Practitioner and Certified Master Hypnotherapist accredited by the American Board of Hypnotherapy (ABH), I’ve had the privilege of undergoing intensive, transformational training under the mentorship of Arslan Larik. Over three months, we immersed ourselves in mastering hypnotic techniques—refining our hypnotic voice tone, exploring various forms of therapeutic hypnosis, and applying methods such as 7th Path Self-Hypnosis, Past Life Regression, Inner Child Healing, and Forgiveness Therapy, among others.
This immersive experience has equipped us with the tools to support clients effectively in areas such as pain management, emotional healing, confidence building, trauma resolution, and behavioral transformation through advanced neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and hypnosis coaching.
However, despite the growing acceptance of clinical hypnotherapy and NLP coaching as powerful personal development tools, hypnosis remains widely misunderstood. In this article, I aim to clarify the top 10 myths about hypnosis and offer insight into what this powerful therapeutic modality really involves.
1. Myth: “Hypnosis Makes You Unconscious or Asleep”
Fact: Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness and focused attention. Clients remain fully aware and mentally alert during the session. Hypnotherapy simply bypasses the critical conscious mind, allowing positive suggestions to reach the unconscious mind more effectively—this is where lasting behavioral and emotional change begins.
2. Myth: “The Hypnotherapist Controls Your Mind”
Fact: Hypnosis is a collaborative process built on trust. A certified hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything against your will. All suggestions are discussed in a pre-session consultation and are based on the client’s goals. If any suggestion conflicts with your values or beliefs, your unconscious mind will naturally reject it.
3. Myth: “You Won’t Remember Anything from the Session”
Fact: While some clients experience a dream-like or deeply relaxed state, most people remember everything discussed during hypnosis. You are not unconscious; rather, you’re in a highly receptive mental state.
4. Myth: “You Can Get Stuck in a Hypnotic Trance”
Fact: Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state that we enter multiple times a day—while daydreaming, meditating, or just before falling asleep. You can return to full alertness anytime during a session simply by opening your eyes or stretching. Hypnosis is safe, controlled, and temporary.
5. Myth: “Not Everyone Can Be Hypnotized”
Fact: Hypnosis is accessible to everyone. Success in hypnotherapy is largely about your willingness to participate and follow the hypnotherapist’s guidance. If you can focus and follow instructions, you can be hypnotized. This is especially true when working with a skilled practitioner who integrates NLP techniques to enhance receptivity.
6. Myth: “Hypnosis is a Quick-Fix Miracle Cure”
Fact: While hypnotherapy and NLP can accelerate personal transformation, sustainable results require commitment and readiness for change. Some issues resolve in a single session, while others need a series of sessions tailored to your unique subconscious patterns and life goals.
7. Myth: “You Can Be Hypnotized Against Your Will”
Fact: Hypnosis requires consent and cooperation. A hypnotherapist guides you into a relaxed state, but only with your permission. You are in complete control throughout the session and can exit the hypnotic state at any point.
8. Myth: “You’ll Reveal Secrets Under Hypnosis”
Fact: You are fully aware and in control during hypnosis. You will not involuntarily reveal secrets or personal information. You choose what to share, just as you would in any coaching or therapy session.
9. Myth: “Hypnosis is Supernatural or Magical”
Fact: Hypnosis is a scientifically studied psychological state used in clinical therapy and coaching. It is grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science. Renowned figures such as Dr. Milton Erickson, Carl Jung, and Dave Elman have laid the foundation for modern hypnotherapy.
10. Myth: “Hypnosis Is Just for Entertainment or Stage Shows”
Fact: Stage hypnosis is dramatically different from clinical hypnotherapy. Therapeutic hypnosis is a serious and effective tool used to address a wide range of conditions including:
- Anxiety and stress management
- Smoking cessation
- Weight loss and emotional eating
- Chronic pain relief
- Sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia)
- Self-confidence and motivation
- Phobia elimination
- Trauma and inner child healing
- Depression management
- Behavioral change and habit formation
Conclusion: Unlock Your Inner Power Through Hypnosis and NLP
Whether you’re seeking to overcome limiting beliefs, heal from past trauma, or simply upgrade your mindset, hypnosis and NLP coaching can be life-changing. By replacing subconscious resistance with empowering beliefs, these tools allow you to step into your highest potential.
