Asking for What You Want

Many years ago, my friend and mentor, Ann Barnett (a world-class psychotherapist) told me that she was going dancing that night, and that she had already programmed her perfect dance partner. He was going to be tall and debonair, a fantastic dancer who loved dancing with her – and would do so all night. She was really excited about the evening.

That was the information that went into her Reticular Activating System. And, as is common, her RAS produced the dancing partner she requested. When I was inquiring the next day if the dance partner she sought actually showed up, she assured me that he certainly had.

The man was tall and debonair, a fantastic dancer who loved dancing with her — all night. The one little request she forgot to program was regarding age. The debonair man was 80 years old – spry, and 80.

It's helpful to be really specific about what you want.