In my journal I stumbled upon a mind exercise I created out of my neurotic frustration with not moving faster in my multi-faceted career. It is called the “Impossible to Possible Exercise.” I now use it as part of my private coaching sessions to spur...

What cannot be empirically proven but can have enormous positive effects. Hypnosis. What is Hypnosis? Here is where it all gets a bit murky. Give me a dozen hypnotists, including myself, and you will get at least a dozen definitions. ...

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” - Dolly Parton One of the first questions I have asked thousands of private coaching clients and workshop attendees is, “Is there anyone here, who as of now has...

“Fear makes us stupid!” -James Mapes The dictionary defines ‘idiot’ as a stupid person. While the word is not socially acceptable, it serves a purpose here. Fear and uncertainty are not your friends. When we are fearful, we catastrophize. Without knowing it, we make a lot of...

Here are ways to help embrace this new normal, as both parents and individuals, and manage the anxiety that comes with it: Turn off the news and disconnect from social media for as long as you need and as long as you can — certainly before...

“The simple act of paying attention can take you a long way.” -Keanu Reeves, actor My suitcase disappeared on one of my trips recently. It just failed to show up. I stood there in the baggage claim area stupidly watching everybody else’s luggage before I...

LEARNING CAN BE A LIFETIME PROCESS ONLY WHEN THE CIRCLE OF LEARNING IS IN CONTINUOUS MOTION. Kids are fascinated with asking questions, but the question stage is supposed to be part of a process, not an end in itself. Children often get stuck in the question...

Study, learn, but guard the original naivete´. It has to be within you, as desire for drink is within the drunkard or love is within the lover. —HENRI MATISSE, French painter I have always thought that my formal education was a bust. I disliked most of my classes,...

“Quantum Leap Thinking” EXPLAINED Quantum leap: any sudden change or advance in program policy. —Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language Red phosphorus and potassium chlorate are stable chemicals when kept in isolation, but when they are mixed together and shaken, they explode. There is undeniable energy and a...

“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” ― Ernest Hemingway   Communication—particularly loving communication—is a two-way street, the second means of setting the stage for it is active listening.   Listening is much more than just sitting still and looking at the other person.  Following are three keys listen...

 “All forms of self-defeating behavior are unseen and unconscious, which is why their existence is denied.” – Vernon Howard, author   This blog is action-oriented and is meant for those who find fulfillment in learning and growing.  This is designed to use the power of your imagination to discover old,...

Communication: 1: A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior. 2. Personal rapport (a relationship characterized by agreement, mutual understanding, or empathy that makes communication possible or easy.) -Merriam Webster Dictionary Welcome to Part 2 of...

As a gift for the New Year, I want to give you something I consider far more important than achieving resolutions.  When you master successful communication, you have the principal tool for building exceptional relationships.   The dictionary defines communication as “a process by which information is exchanged between...

“Future shock is the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time.” —ALVIN TOFFLER, Future Shock Since we will always move away from what creates the most pain to what creates the least, the...

Mapes’ Masterclass   Saturday, August 18 & Sunday, August 19, 2018 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 or 5:00 PM (Maximum; six attendees)   My second "Mapes’ Masterclass for Mentalists, Hypnotists & Performers" will be conducted in my home in Westport, CT.   This one-of-a-kind, two-day immersive experience will be fun and enlightening.  You...

“A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.” -Patricia Neal, American actress   How does your attitude meter read?   Do you generally have a good attitude towards life, expecting the best and tossing aside the garbage that inevitably comes hurling your way?  Or...

Some of us think holding on makes us strong;  but sometimes it is letting go. -Hermann Hesse, Poet    I strongly suggest you read Part 1 of this series:. https://www.jamesmapes.com/how-to-let-go-of-the-rope-part-1 FYI:  (The Conscious Mind=The Rider; The Unconscious Mind=The Elephant)   What Letting Go Means It is the final characteristic of the Elephant—being terrified...

 “In the beginning, it is difficult letting go. But as you get into the swing of it, you will feel lighter and fresher and better able to see what you really need. That is what I imagine spring cleaning is truly about.” —SUSAN JEFFERS, END THE...

Having put a woman into a deeply relaxed hypnotic state, I make the following suggestion to her: “You cannot remember the number seven. In fact, you cannot say the number seven, see the number seven or hear the number seven. In your reality, the number...