1. Temporal Displacement
Language that moves evaluation away from the present moment, reducing conscious scrutiny.
These phrases prevent the listener from deciding now, which is where resistance lives.
Patterns
- And you might wonder …
- It might not be until later that you notice …
- And it may not be until afterwards, looking back that you realise …
- And more quickly than you might imagine …
- And it might not be until the third or fourth time it happens that you notice for the first time …
- So whether it happens now or later doesn’t matter, just that …
- Sooner or later …
- After a while it just becomes normal that …
- Looking back you might find it easy to forget to remember …
- What would it be like when you have made these changes… now… in the future… as you look back …
What this does
Evaluation is postponed. The mind relaxes because it no longer needs to decide or defend in the present.
2. Agency Softening
Language that reduces pressure by removing explicit demand, instruction, or obligation.
These phrases dissolve reactance by making change optional, indirect, or unconscious.
Patterns
- So if your unconscious mind could …
- People don’t have to, (name),
- A person may not know if …
- A person could (name) …
- One can (name) …
- Some people …
- Many things can begin to …
- And it could be many things that let you know you are changing …
- And whether it’s you or someone else who notices first …
What this does
Responsibility is softened. The listener remains in control while still moving.
3. Curiosity Loops
Language that opens mental space without closure, pulling attention forward.
These phrases create cognitive momentum without triggering analysis.
Patterns
- And the more curious you become about this the more …
- And we can both wonder when …
- I’m wondering if you’ll … or not
- I’m wondering if …
- Maybe you’ll …
- Sometime …
- Will you … now or will you … later whilst …?
- Can you imagine …?
- How would it feel if you …?
- What would it be like when you have made these changes…
What this does
Curiosity replaces resistance. The mind follows the question instead of opposing the suggestion.
4. Experiential Bridging
Language that moves the listener into felt experience rather than intellectual agreement.
These phrases bypass argument by inviting sensation, imagery, or emotion.
Patterns
- You might notice how good … feels, when you …
- You might notice the feelings … as you …
- Can you really enjoy … ?
- It’s easy to … is it not?
- You can … can you not?
What this does
Experience outruns logic. Once the body is involved, resistance weakens.
5. Normalisation and Social Proof
Language that frames change as ordinary, expected, or socially validated.
These phrases reduce fear by making change feel unsurprising.
Patterns
- After a while it just becomes normal that …
- It might be amusing just how surprised people are when you …
- And whether it’s you or someone else who notices first …
- Some people …
What this does
Change is framed as normal, observable, and socially acceptable.
6. Future-Paced Identity Rehearsal
Language that invites the listener to observe themselves after the change has occurred.
This is where Speechcraft quietly rewires Identity.
Patterns
- If you could make this change for yourself so that you could … STOP … having already made that change and see yourself … now … do you like the way you look?What would it be like to have had that problem…
What this does
The mind rehearses a future self and then retrofits belief to match it
The Speechcraft Builder helps you weave these patterns into your own language.
Open the Speechcraft Builder in the ‘Library section of the 7 Skills app