Imagine What 2020 Could Be Like...

As a fully qualified hypnotherapist I help many people to change their lives. It is, of course, a serious subject but there can be some lighter moments.

One client told me she was due to get married later this year and was quite nervous about the prospect.

"I think I know what your issue is" I told her. "You have a phobia about marriage. Do you recognise the symptoms?

"Can't say I do" she replied.

"That's one of them" I said...

But joking aside this is the time of the year when many people make resolutions to make their life happier. If you are looking to lose weight, stop smoking, need help with self-esteem or confidence issues or want to rid yourself of a phobia or unwanted habit - and you need a helping hand - contact me on 07521 353 787 or email mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk to arrange an initial discussion.

Evening appointments available. Home visits by arrangement. Visit my website here

May the Force

The month of May draws to a close in a couple of days. And it's been one heck of a month for the Auld Reekie Ranter.

Three birthdays - little Ava (6), Jack (11) rapidly developing into a young adult and Old Mother Hubbard Laura, now having reached the ripe old age of 30 (I still can't believe this)

One wedding - Michaela finally marrying Sean the Hibby.

And, for the second time in three months, a hospital appointment for the Ranter. After the bladder cancer scare in February which proved nothing untoward, I was back into Edinburgh's Western General Hospital last week for a colonoscopy (you don't want to know the details, believe me) Thankfully, although a medical condition has been identified, it's nothing too serious. So my old body has, just about, passed its MOT and it's Mike 2 The Big C 0 -  although I suspect the lovely Marion is looking to trade me in for a new model as the present one is a bit clapped out...

The football season ended with Hibernian winning the Scottish Cup - I'll just leave that one there...

However, it's good to end the month on a positive note. My hypnotherapy business is making good progress. A productive weekend just passed saw one definite client and another almost certain to sign up. If you're in the Edinburgh area and want to make positive changes to your life, take a look at my website - there's a free consultation and a special introductory offer.

In August, I'll be moving to office premises in central Edinburgh, between Castle Street and Frederick Street. I can't wait and am really excited at the prospect. If you know of anyone who wants to lose weight, stop smoking or has low self-esteem or low self-confidence, please spread the word.

Who knows what the month of June will bring. But the Auld Reekie Ranter is, would you believe, optimistic and full of anticipation.

Yes, I know. Nurse! The screens!

Mental Health Awareness Week

Confidence issues? Depression? Fears and phobias? I can help. Free consultation.
http://www.mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk/home/ 

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

You Can't Change - Until...

Want to change? Not next week, not tomorrow but today? Look here...

Ouch!

If you have a fear of spiders you might not want to read the story below, taken from the BBC News website (no pun intended)

Australian man bitten by a spider.

However, there is help at hand if you do have a fear of spiders - or fear of anything for that matter.

Read this for alleviating your fears the natural way.

This Is The Beginning...

What do you say when someone asks you ‘How are you?’ Is it the standard reply most people offer – ‘Aye, I’m okay, just doing away’?

Is that how you want your life to be? Just doing away?

Are you really, truly happy with your life? Or are there some things you would like to change but aren’t sure how to make these changes or where to start?

There are many people who think like this. In today’s 24/7 instant communication society, a great many people want to change some aspects of their life but don’t know how to do this or who to approach for help and guidance.

So, I hear you ask – how can I make these changes happen for me?

Firstly, you need to know what changes it is you want to make to your life. Once you do you can contact me and together we can discover the tools and techniques that will bring improvement to the quality of your life – and bring happiness and contentment. Life is too short to accept what we’ve got if we’re unhappy with it.  Change for the better is all about you. When you discover the tools to make those changes then your hopes for a better life can be fulfilled.

Okay, I’m intrigued – what can you do for me?

Click here - free consultation

One Year On

A year ago I decided to step away from the rat race and concentrate on something that I enjoyed doing and was worthwhile. Climbing the mountain is hard work but it's hugely enjoyable - and I'm excited about what lies at the top....

You, too, can change your life for the better

Do You Think You Could Help Me?

I was scuttling along Leith’s Great Junction Street last Saturday afternoon and was passing Tesco’s Express store when an elderly gentleman approached me.

‘Excuse me, son’ he said with a voice like gravel. He waved his walking stick at me as an attempt to ensure I wouldn’t ignore him.

‘Yes, sir’ I replied.

‘I’m sorry to have to ask you this’ the auld fella went on, ‘but could I ask you if you have any spare cash?’

Now this is far from the first time I have been accosted in the street and asked for money. Usually by members of my family....But something about this fella intrigued me and before I could ask why, he furthered his request.

‘I’m no’ gonnae lie to you son. I want to go in there and buy some tobacco’ he said, pointing to said Tesco’s.

I have to say I was immediately taken by his honesty. So many people have stopped me in the street and regaled me with some story about needing money for their bus fare to get them to the hospital to see their dying wife/sister/mother/husband/brother/long lost second cousin twice removed. But not this chap. He wasn’t attempting to hide the fact he wanted some fags.

‘I’m sorry to bother you’ he went on. ‘I had a stroke recently and having a puff is the only thing that keeps me going’

I asked how much he needed. ‘£3 should cover’ it he replied.

‘I’ll tell you what’ I ventured. ‘I won’t give you £3 – but I’ll give you £1. It’s a bit ironic you’ve asked me to help you buy tobacco – because my profession is to try and help people stop smoking’

‘Aye,?’ questioned the auld fella, ‘whit de ye mean?’

I then explained how hypnotherapy is used to help people stop smoking and gave him my business card for my hypnotherapy practice at

MGS Services

‘Gee!’ he exclaimed, ‘that’s brilliant. Dae ye think ye could help me?’

‘I can certainly try’ I replied.

‘Can ye help ma sister? She’s been trying tae lose weight for years but nothing helps'

I gave him another business card. ‘Tell her to give me a call’ I said.

The old man thanked me, shook my hand and headed into Tesco's. 

Now I don't know if I'll hear from him or his sister. But if you want to stop smoking, lose weight, want help with self-confidence issues, or have a fear of spiders, flying or any other phobia, give me a call on 0752 135 3787 (24 hours) or email me at mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk 

Together, we can change your life for the better.

Really Need to Lose Weight?

How many times have you uttered these words ‘I really need to lose weight’?  And how many times have you said, ‘I’ll do it after such-and-such or I’ll wait until after the wedding/holiday/Christmas etc etc’ - but still don’t do anything meaningful about it?

If you've ever tried and failed to lose weight before then you probably know just how frustrating it can be - especially when feelings like stress, low self-esteem and boredom are also issues and can act as an all-too convenient excuse.

There’s a cycle people can fall into e.g. overeating, feeling guilty and dieting again. Then celebrating a small weight loss by ‘treating’ oneself to a cake or chocolate bar and the whole process is triggered again.  Does this sound familiar? Known as 'yo-yo dieting' this cycle can make weight loss difficult to sustain.

So, I hear you ask, how can hypnotherapy succeed where all other methods have failed? A good question, I grant you. However, part of the answer is simple really. While diets, nutrition plans and targets focus on what you eat and how often, hypnotherapy changes how you feel about what you eat. Oh yeah, I hear you ask, perhaps cynically? Well, I can understand your cynicism but read on…

Open For Business

About two years ago I was off work as a result of a stress-related condition. It was a difficult time but it made me take stock of my life. As part of my treatment I attended counselling. This seemed such a power of good that I decided I would change my career from the sometimes bureaucratic world of human resources and train to become a counsellor myself. 

The first year of the three year course was hypnotherapy. Although, like many people, I was aware of hypnotists I considered them as stage acts, putting people to sleep and getting them to do things they weren't aware of. Hypnotherapy isn't like that.

Hypnotherapy is a skilled verbal communication, used during hypnosis, which helps direct a client’s imagination in such a way as to bring about intended alterations in sensations, perceptions, feelings, thoughts and behaviour. In a typical hypnotherapy session, the hypnotherapist will ask the client questions about previous medical history, general health and lifestyle. The hypnotherapist and client will decide together on the changes or goals that are desired. 

Hypnotherapy can be applied to a wide range of medical, dental and psychological problems. Areas of application include anxiety and stress conditions, weight control, addictive behaviours (including smoking, alcohol and substance misuse) and confidence issues. It is also used to enhance performance in several areas such as sport and public speaking. 

With the benefits of clinical hypnosis becoming clearer, it's no wonder there has been a massive growth in hypnotherapy training during the last ten years. 

There's no doubt it is fast becoming a popular career choice for those who want to work in a role where they help others to stop smoking, lose weight, overcome fears and phobias and more.
I completed my hypnotherapy qualification at the end of 2015 and set up my private practice in Edinburgh in 2016. Having now received my Diploma in Hypnotherapy (see above) I'm now open for business. 

My new venture is called MGS. This stands for Mind Generating Success – and MGS is also my initials (see what I did there?) My aim to be one of the leading hypnotherapists and counsellors in east central Scotland with a reputation for being professional, trustworthy, reliable and accessible.  

Now I'm a fully qualified hypnotherapist I am a member of the National Hypnotherapy Society.  

So, if you are someone who sets New Year resolutions every year to either lose some weight, stop smoking, cut back on alcohol – but find your willpower evaporates after a few weeks – or have a phobia or an issue you feel is holding you back, contact me to arrange an appointment.

Mike Smith Cert Hyp CS. 

tel: 0752 135 3787 (24 hours)

web:   mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk 

email: mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk  

twitter: @smith_mgs ​07521353787​

After an initial consultation, we can decide together the best way to enable you to achieve your goals. Bookings being taken now - book early to avoid disappointment!

Now It's Mike Smith Dip Hyp

                      I know I'm not a well man but.....

After twelve months of blood, sweat and the occasional tears, I have finally received the news that I have passed my case studies and have qualified as a hypnotherapist. It's been a tense couple of months since my final studies were handed in - Christmas and New Year got in the way of them getting marked  - but now I can celebrate and plan for starting and building up my own practice.

Hypnotherapy can be used for so many things such as helping people who wish to give up smoking, lose weight, increase self-esteem and self-confidence, people who are struggling with stress in their lives, those who have phobias (fear of flying, fear of spiders etc) and all manner of things.

It's been my biggest academic achievement in my near 54 years so tonight I will celebrate with a wee Drambuie or two. I hope to get my actual Diploma in the next few weeks (these things take time) and I can't have any clients on a professional basis until then. However, if anyone wants to contact me to discuss how I may be able to help them with any of the above I would be delighted  to hear from you. You can contact me by email at may1998@talk21.com 

The next step is to look at premises for the new business. I sincerely hope this is the start of something big....

Hypnotherapy - The End is Near

Next Sunday is 'D' day for my hopes of becoming a fully qualified hypnotherapist. The end of my studies is 15 November, by which time I need to have completed my three case studies. One year, four essays, eight learning journals, twelve classes, three case studies and more than fifty hours hypnotherapy practice on willing volunteers - and special thanks to those who have volunteered - will hopefully result in success.

Hypnotherapy can be used for so many things such as helping people who wish to give up smoking, lose weight, increase self-esteem and self-confidence, are struggling with stress in their lives, people who have phobias (fear of flying, fear of spiders etc) and all manner of things.

If I pass I aim to have my own hypnotherapy practice up and running in Edinburgh next year. So, if you have any issues you want resolving through purely natural methods - contact me!

email: may1998@talk21.com

Halfway Through a Momentous Year

The first half of 2015 is nearly complete. The next six months promises much but it's already been a momentous year for the Auld Reekie Ranter.

My wedding to Marion on Valentine's Day was one of the happiest days of my life. Marion has transformed my life and made me happy once again and for that I shall always be grateful. Although I jest about how lucky she is to have me as her husband (I'm sure she gives thanks every day...) I know that I am the lucky one to have such a wonderful, beautiful and talented lady as her - she is the rock in my life.

At the beginning of this year I made the decision to quit my job with a housing association, a job I had held for more than seven years. With echoes of a similar life-changing decision I made in 1990, I didn't have another job to go to. However, I am training to become a Hypnotherapist and Counsellor. It's a three year course and the first year is concentrating on hypnotherapy. It's a subject which fascinates me and I am thoroughly enjoying the course. If all goes to plan, I should qualify as a hypnotherapist by the end of this year and I'm already planning to set up my own hypnotherapy practice in early 2016 (book now to avoid disappointment!)

I was no longer enjoying my work and the continuous high pressure and the demands of the job were beginning to affect my health to the extent I was off work this time last year. At that time I underwent counselling and found it beneficial, not only at the time, but as something I thought I could make a career out of. Hence my decision to undertake my training. I left my job in April and the break from the daily grind has benefited me hugely.

Of course, bills still need paying and I have now secured a position with Napier University in the Human Resources Team for a year which will take me to next summer. I start this job on 6 July and, for the first time in years, I'm genuinely looking forward to it. The year's contract will give me more than enough time to set up my own business next year and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

Daughters Laura and Michaela continue to make me proud. Laura has just been offered a managerial post and is mulling it over against the backdrop of family commitments. I always knew she was managerial material. Michaela is already a manager and she gave a presentation to senior managers yesterday, who have already been impressed by her managerial skills and aptitude. Michaela is getting married next May and this will be another momentous occasion. She is marrying a fella of the Hibernian persuasion but, despite this, he seems a decent chap...

My four grandchildren continue to bring unbridled joy to my life. Their unconditional love brings a tear to my eye. I love being with them and I want them to stay as children for ever. Sadly, of course, they will become adults before long - Jack is now 10 years old and Ava starts school in August - but I hope they retain their kind, loving nature which does them and mum Laura huge credit.

At the other end of the family, my mother is always there to provide support and it was great to see her looking so happy at our wedding. She thinks the world of Marion and sees her as the daughter she never had. Of course, I am her only child - understandable, as how can you top perfection?!

2015 has already been a great year. In recent years, I have been in the depths of depression and didn't know what lay ahead. Now the future is clearer and infinitely brighter. A new career. A new business. Loving wife (that's you, Marion). Maturing daughters. Wonderful grandchildren. And I can't let the feel-good factor pass without mentioning my football team. Hearts are now back in the top flight of Scottish football. I'll be taking Jack to Tynecastle this season as a season ticket holder. While I'll no longer be contributing to the Hearts matchday programme, my musings on Hearts  - and other ramblings on life in general - will still be posted on The Edinburgh Reporter.

Self-hypnosis has helped me to evaluate my life. I am more confident, more positive and happier than I've been for many years. Sure, there will be setbacks - everyone has setbacks - but I'm now able to overcome these with the knowledge that my life is moving onwards and upwards.

Some people thought I was crazy when I gave up my job, house and life in Aberdeen in 1990. But it was the right decision, as my life in Edinburgh has proved. And there have been some people, a quarter of  a century later, who questioned my sanity when I quit my job in April - although, it has to be said, there have been some who have given me huge encouragement and for this I am truly grateful.

My philosophy is that it doesn't matter if it's a job, relationship or lifestyle - if it doesn't make you happy, let it go. Let yourself move to the next chapter in your life when the time comes you feel are stuck on the same page. You will soon realise there is so much more to the book of life than the page you're stuck on.

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time...