The Image that changes lives...
Danny Greeves
Helping athletes break through performance barriers with nonverbal behaviour analysis and nonconscious mental imagery.
It still blows my mind that a single image can change a life.
Not just a life. Not just my life. But almost everyone's life. That includes YOU.
I know the world famous 'Mona Lisa' gets a lot of plaudits for the impact the picture has. But the image I'm talking about is probably much more important to you.
And more valuable...
The Mona Lisa was valued at $100 Million in 1962 - the equivalent of $1 Billion in 2023. I know what you're thinking, that's some big talk Danny.
An image?
But this is not just any image - nor is it an M&S image.
It's an Emotional Memory Image (EMI).
Before we dive in, I'd like to share exactly how it changed my life.
Growing up I had lots of things, I was very fortunate in so many ways. But one thing I had no luck in was in relationships.
In primary and junior school... it passed me by (ahhh Sophie Kearney... my first crush. I still remember you well, and I still remember not daring to tell you).
Through my teens... crickets.
Leading to many embarrassing moments as the guys around me shared their exciting stories. I could only sit still and hope no one realised I hadn't said anything. Which often became the focus of the spotlight.
As I got into my 20's. I didn't want one-night stands, I didn't want all the bravado. All I wanted was a loving, genuine relationship.
As I reached 27, apart from the occasional fling, a relationship still eluded me. And I was really trying.
All the dating apps under the sun for hours a day, speed dating, friend set ups. Nothing worked.
So I reached out for help.
I worked with a mental coach called Matt. Who taught me about something called Emotional Memory Images (EMI'S).
As he started asking me about what was stopping me from finding a loving relationship, something incredible happened.
An Emotional Memory Image - a flashback of a memory if you like, popped into my mind from the day of my mum and dad's divorce.
The pain, the tears, the confusion all came flooding back and in seconds I was sobbing.
Matt guided me through the session and by the end of it, some 45 minutes later, all the pain, tears and confusion had melted away. The image had disappeared. I felt at peace.
10 days later... I met my wife ❤️.
I didn't know that was my block. I didn't know that was sitting there. But with an external, objective coach working with me, we found the answer together.
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Since that fateful day, realising the power of what I had discovered. I worked through and cleared as many EMI's as I possibly could.
The results?
All of this started with just one image.
For all the effort, for all the trying, for all the beating myself up I did for years. I don't think I would have ever got the answer by myself.
And for what was a few thousand pounds back then, that has not only given me a return on my investment of at least 20,000%. I got what I always wanted, which for me is priceless.
So what is an Emotional Memory Image?
When you experience a painful event, your mind creates a snapshot picture of where you are, who you're with, what's happening, what's being said and how you feel.
This is the Emotional Memory Image.
Your nervous system immediately learns:
That stimulus (in my case, a relationship) equals pain (in my case heartbreak).
Whenever you try to do something that is in anyway similar too - or symbolic of - that stimulus, your nervous system triggers the stress response and puts the blockers on. You might then experience that as feeling overwhelmed, procrastinating, distracting yourself or doing something more comfortable and safe.
But Emotional Memory Images are subconscious.
They sit outside your awareness. So all you get are the feelings. But the true source of the issue sits just outside your awareness.
So let's just think for a moment...
If you were criticised by your parents when you were young, and criticism equals emotional pain. How likely are you to put yourself forward for things in a public forum like social media or a website? Not very.
If you were told to be quiet when expressing yourself, how likely are you to want to share the knowledge and skills you've taken years to develop? Not very.
If you were punished for failing, not being good enough or making mistakes, how likely are you to experiment and be willing to try new things out? Not very.
You are so much more than the effects of past painful experiences. But in order to realise that for yourself, there might be a bit of work to do.
And it all starts with an image...
Until next time,
Danny
P.S - if you would like to have a chat about what Emotional Memory Images might be holding you back, you can book a time to have a chat with me here.