SMART + Subconscious: Crafting Goals Your Mind Will Actually Follow How Hypnotherapy Helps Turn Achievement Into Joy

Every January, we talk about goals.

We make lists. We choose words like discipline, consistency, and willpower. Many of us already know how to set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Yet even the best-designed goals often stall.

Recently, I watched an interview with Oprah Winfrey where she was asked about achieving and maintaining her weight-management goals. The interviewer asked a simple question:

“How do you feel now when you get dressed in the morning?” Oprah’s answer wasn’t about numbers on a scale or clothing size. She said: “I feel joy.” That one word, joy, tells us something important about real, lasting change.

Goals Aren’t Just About Results — They’re About How You Feel

People might think they want:

• Weight loss

• Better health

• More money

• Increased productivity

• Personal growth

But when you look beneath the surface, what people truly want is:

• Ease

• Confidence

• Freedom

• Calm

• Joy

Oprah didn’t just reach a goal. She changed her internal experience. That’s where many goal-setting systems fall short.

Why SMART Goals Alone Aren’t Enough

SMART goals are incredibly useful at the conscious level of the mind. They help you define what you want and how you plan to get there.

But here’s what I see every day in my hypnotherapy practice:

Clients often know exactly what to do. Yet something inside still resists following through. That resistance doesn’t come from laziness or lack of desire. It comes from the subconscious mind, which may still be operating from:

• Fear of change

• Old identity patterns

• Self-doubt

• Emotional conditioning from the past

If your subconscious associates change with stress, pressure, or loss, even the best SMART plan can feel exhausting.

Hypnotherapy: Aligning Goals With the Subconscious

Hypnotherapy works by gently guiding the mind into a relaxed, focused state where the subconscious becomes more receptive.

In this state, you can:

• Identify unconscious blocks to joy and success

• Reframe outdated beliefs

• Install new emotional associations with achievement

Instead of thinking:

“I have to force myself to do this.”

The mind begins to experience:

“This feels natural.”
“This feels good.”
“This supports who I am becoming.”

That’s when follow-through becomes easier and more sustainable.

From Achievement to Joy

One of the most powerful questions to ask yourself is:

“How do you want to feel when you’ve reached your goal?”

Not what you want to prove.
Not what you want to fix.
But how you want to feel living your life.

When joy becomes the emotional target, not just success, the nervous system relaxes. The mind stops bracing. Change becomes something you move toward, not something you push through.

Hypnotherapy helps you:

• Feel at home in your body.

• Experience confidence without pressure

• Enjoy progress rather than fear setbacks

Joy isn’t a reward at the end of the journey. It becomes part of the process.

Making 2026 Goals Mind-Friendly

When you’re setting goals this year you are invited to consider this:

1. What does your conscious mind want?
2. What does your subconscious mind believe is possible? 3. What emotional experience are you truly seeking?

When those three are aligned, goals stop feeling like work and start feeling like self-expression.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’d like support aligning your goals with your subconscious mind so that progress feels calmer, steadier, and more joyful, I invite you to explore one-to-one, in-person or  online hypnotherapy sessions.

You can book your free, private 30-minute phone consultation today. Please call me at 818-929-4944 or go to cindaroffman.com for more information.

Together, we focus not just on what you want to achieve but on how you want to feel living your life. Because real success isn’t just measurable. It’s wearable. It’s livable. And just like Oprah described, it’s joyful.

Sincerely,

Cinda

HypnoNews and Resources

For another perspective on goal achievement and happiness please see:

How hypnotherapy boosts health, wealth, and happiness

https://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/articles/health-wealth-and-happiness-how-can-hypnotherapy-help-by-joy-shakespeare

For a deep dive into the scientific evidence based world of hypnosis and neuroscience please see the following:

Brain Functional Correlates of Resting Hypnosis and Hypnotizability: A Review

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10886478/

Ready-Set-Go: Achieving and Sustaining New Year’s Resolutions With Your Hypnotherapist’s Support

My husband, Burt, was on his daily walk last week. He met a new neighbor, Jack.  They started talking. Burt wished him Happy New Year and asked him if he had any New Year’s resolutions.  Jack replied that he used to think he would be dead by 60. He has already survived cancer, a heart attack and COPD.  Now that he is past that, his resolution for 2024 is to stay healthy and enjoy another year of life.  Burt asked me how I would work with a client presenting with the goals to stay healthy and enjoy life.  I began to think about the New Year and setting goals and achieving them. 

Upcoming throughout January is a four part series that addresses these issues. Beginning with this part 1, the series will cover:

• Part 1: Readiness: The Gateway to Resolution Success explores the foundational concept of readiness, unveiling the stages theory of change and its pivotal role in initiating and sustaining transformative resolutions.

• Part 2: Understanding New Year's Resolutions: Crafting Meaningful Goals delves into the intricate world of resolutions, categorizing them, decoding success factors, and providing insights into crafting resolutions that are not only meaningful but also achievable.

• Part 3: Power of Hypnotherapy: Affirmations and Visualization for Success unlocks the transformative influence of hypnotherapy, positive affirmations, and visualization techniques, offering a dynamic approach to break through mental barriers and reinforce positivity.

• Part 4: Blueprint for Transformative Resolutions: Achieve and Sustain unveils a comprehensive blueprint for your transformative journey. With a synergy of readiness, SMART goals, hypnotherapy, positive affirmations, and visualization, this blueprint sets the stage for resolutions that endure and flourish.

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, the air is filled with the promise of positive change and personal growth. In this transformative series, you are invited on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, guided by the expertise of a certified professional hypnotherapist.

Please join me and embark on this journey with an open mind and a readiness for positive change. Each installment builds upon the last, guiding you through a transformative journey that transcends mere resolutions—it's about embracing a life of purpose, growth, and fulfillment. Ready, set, go—your transformative journey awaits.

Part 1: Readiness: The Gateway to Resolution Success

As the New Year approaches, the promise of transformation beckons, and the first step on this journey is readiness. We explore the critical role readiness plays in successfully achieving New Year's resolutions, delving into the 5 stage theory of change and how hypnotherapists, with their unique skills, foster the positive mindset essential for success.

The Significance of Readiness: Unlocking the 5 Stage Theory of Change

Readiness is not a singular moment but a dynamic process rooted in the 5 Stage Theory of Change. This theory identifies stages individuals go through when contemplating and making changes in their lives. At its core, the concept of readiness revolves around the acknowledgment that individuals must be prepared, both mentally and emotionally, for meaningful and lasting change.

1. Precontemplation: At this stage, individuals may not be aware or have not yet acknowledged the need for change. Readiness begins to emerge when there is a subtle recognition of the status quo's limitations.

2. Contemplation: In this stage, individuals actively consider the need for change but may still grapple with ambivalence. The emergence of readiness is marked by a growing desire to explore possibilities for transformation.

3. Preparation: Readiness solidifies during the preparation stage. Individuals actively seek information, make plans, and envision the steps required for change. This is a crucial stage where commitment begins to take shape.

4. Action: The action stage sees the initiation of specific behaviors aimed at achieving the desired change. Readiness is now translated into tangible steps as individuals actively implement their resolutions.

5. Maintenance: Readiness continues to play a vital role during the maintenance stage. It involves the ongoing commitment and effort required to sustain the changes made, ensuring that they become enduring aspects of one's lifestyle.

 Why Readiness Matters:

The significance of readiness lies in its ability to act as a catalyst for positive change. Research consistently supports the idea that individuals who are psychologically and emotionally prepared for change are more likely to initiate and maintain new behaviors. A study published in the "Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology" found that interventions targeting readiness increased the likelihood of positive outcomes.

The Expertise of Hypnotherapists: Crafting the Foundation for Change

Hypnotherapists bring a specialized set of skills to the table, uniquely positioned to foster the readiness crucial for resolution success.

1. Building Trust and Rapport: Establishing trust is fundamental. Hypnotherapists create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their desires for change.

2. Active Listening: Through active listening, hypnotherapists tune into the client's narrative, identifying cues that signal readiness. This empathetic connection facilitates the exploration of goals and challenges.

3. Addressing Limiting Beliefs: Hypnotherapists specialize in identifying and addressing limiting beliefs that may hinder readiness. By delving into the subconscious, they help reshape negative thought patterns, creating a fertile ground for positive change.

4. Inducing Relaxation and Focus: Hypnotherapy techniques induce a state of deep relaxation, fostering mental clarity and focus. This heightened awareness is pivotal for individuals to navigate through the stages of change with a clear vision of their resolutions.

 How Hypnotherapists Foster Readiness:

Hypnotherapists employ various techniques to foster readiness in their clients, aligning with the principles of the 5 stage theory of change.

1. Motivational Enhancement: By enhancing motivation, hypnotherapists help clients move from contemplation to preparation. Motivational enhancement techniques include exploring the benefits of change and the consequences of maintaining the status quo.

2. Visualization and Goal Setting: Utilizing visualization and guided imagery, hypnotherapists help clients vividly imagine their desired outcomes. This process serves as a powerful motivational tool, propelling individuals towards the preparation and action stages.

3. Positive Affirmations: Introducing positive affirmations during hypnotherapy sessions reinforces readiness by cultivating a positive mindset. Affirmations challenge self-doubt and build confidence, aligning clients with the belief that change is not only possible but within their control.

 Summary:

In this exploration of readiness, we've unveiled the dynamic process embedded in the 5 stage theory of change. Recognizing readiness as a catalyst for positive transformation, we've also explored how hypnotherapists, with their expertise, can play a pivotal role in fostering this crucial mindset. As you embark on your New Year’s Resolution journey, remember that readiness is the key that unlocks the door to lasting change.

Now that we've laid the groundwork for change, join me in Part 2 as we delve into the multifaceted world of New Year's Resolutions, providing insights to help you craft meaningful and achievable goals.

If you are considering working with me as your hypnotherapist, I am available for a free 30 minute consultation for new clients. Go to cindaroffman.com to book a free consult or call me at 818-929-4944

SIncerely,

Cinda

HypnoNews and Resources

For additional perspective on the theory of change, readiness, and why New Year’s Resolutions frequently fail, please see the following:

https://www.verywellmind.com/why-new-years-resolutions-fail-6823972