The standard visual Swish presented here uses the submodalities of size, brightness, and distance. In many cases, it’s very effective. Simply put:

• The desired (target) image becomes larger, brighter, and comes closer.
• The unwanted image becomes smaller, darker, and moves away.

In a “design Swish,” rather than using size, brightness, and distance, we use critical submodalities. The trigger image is elegantly transformed into the target image using these critical submodalities.

Standard Swish

Step 1
Find a topic/context:
Identify an unwanted behavior or reaction you wish to change.

Step 2
Trigger Image:
Which image immediately precedes the compulsive behavior? Right before it, what do you see—like a piece of chocolate? This image should be associated, meaning the client sees it through their own eyes.

Step 3
Create a Target Image:
Have the client develop a dissociated target image. How could an outsider tell that you’re a person for whom this behavior is no problem, that you possess the qualities and resources to respond in the desired way? The image should exude a strong sense of attraction.

Step 4
Perform the Swish:
Now perform the Swish with both images. Begin by looking at the triggering image large and bright. Then place a small, dark image of your target in the lower right corner. This small, dark image rapidly grows bigger until it completely covers the first image, which simultaneously fades and shrinks at the same speed, as you say “Swish.”

Step 5
Repeat:
Perform the Swish about a dozen times.

Step 6
Test:
Now imagine the triggering image. What happens? If the Swish has worked, you’ll either not be able to recall the unwanted image at all or it will instantly vanish, replaced by the target image. Whenever the old image pops up, the target image reminds you not to fall into the old compulsion.
Another way to test is to try the behavior in real life.