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was best, since it would be received uncritically. He became famous for a phrase he urged his patients to say to themselves several times a day, 'Everyday, in every way, I am getting better and better.'"[17] Note that Coue's phrase does not enter into details about how the person will get better and better—just that he will. Does the phrase work, though? In many instances, yes. Coue enjoyed enormous success with his patients, who responded most favorably to the general autosuggestions they gave themselves. This was no accident, for clinical studies by psychiatrist John Hartland and associates of his confirm the effectiveness of the general autosuggestion approach. [18] From this it should follow that what works for people in the area of health most certainly will work for them in the area of sports.
    When to Give Yourself Suggestions
    Probably the most convenient time to give yourself autosuggestions is on the same day you compete. Obviously, you do this minutes or hours before the competition begins. By waiting until the day you compete: 1) you should know who your opponent will be, and perhaps have a chance to gather intelligence about his strengths and weaknesses, and 2) you should know what the weather will be like, whether or not you will be playing before a hostile crowd—in short, better understand the playing conditions that might affect your performance. Knowing these variables, you will be able to give yourself tailor-made autosuggestions. For example, if you know the crowd will be against you, you can give yourself the suggestion, "During the entire game I will play with total concentration no matter what!" This kind of suggestion will go a long way toward eliminating the crowd as a factor.
    Another excellent reason to give yourself autosuggestions on the same day on which you compete is that the suggestions will be fresh. Studies indicate that the more recent the autosuggestion, the more likely it is that you will carry it out completely. Reports Dr. Kroger, "A
    posthypnotic suggestion may last for months to years. It is agreed, however, that it may remain effective for several months. During this period, decrement occurs in the quality of the posthypnotic performance."[19] There is nothing wrong with giving yourself autosuggestions a couple of weeks or months before a big game or match; in fact, it is highly commendable that you do this. To be on the safe side, though, give yourself reinforcing autosuggestions on the day of competition. [20] You want to do this in case the effects of your earlier suggestions have waned.
    Ideally, for a major upcoming competition, you should give yourself autosuggestions every day in the days or weeks preceding the contest, as well as on the day you perform. If you do this, about the only way you can lose is if your opponent is physically and/or technically superior to you. (You try to be sure that such is not the case by working on your physical fitness and the technical aspects required in your sport.) Some people believe constant reinforcement will render an autosuggestion "stale" and ineffective; actually, the opposite is true. Dr. Kroger notes: "Periodic reinforcement tends to increase its effectiveness; repeated elicitation does not weaken it."[21] Therefore one should not worry about too much reinforcement.
    So, the answer to the question, "When do you give yourself autosuggestions?" is (1) especially on the day you compete, and (2) preferably on the days and weeks preceding the competition as well.
    Giving Yourself Autosuggestions during Competition without Anyone Noticing
    Having developed the ability to instantly enter and exit the hypnotic state, you quickly can give yourself suggestions and "awaken" yourself, thereby wrapping up the session without making it some sort of grand production.
    I have also mentioned that you can develop the capability of playing your sport while in the hypnotic state (this is something I have done occasionally). By giving yourself the