I'm talking, of course, about subliminal messages.

However despite all the media hype, subliminal messages aren't just used by advertising moguls trying to get us to buy another can of coke. They can also be employed to make serious and lasting change in our own lives.

In this short article, I'm going to share a method you can use to get subliminal messages working for you?starting tonight!

But before we begin, let's ask ourselves: what exactly are subliminal messages?

Subliminal is defined as ?below the threshold of consciousness?. Subliminal messaging refers to the act of sending messages direct to the powerful subconscious mind, the part of your brain that controls everything from memory to body temperature to providing your conscious mind with its core traits.

Subliminals really hit the headlines back in the 70's, when advertisers began inserting messages into commercials. The messages were simply 100-millisecond flashes, and nobody officially ?saw? them. Yet sales mysteriously rocketed.

Even Hollywood got in on the act. Alfred Hitchcock planted his own subliminals inside the movie ?Psycho?!

These suggestions were having so much impact, that the US Government almost banned subliminals back in the mid-70's ? and UK, Australian and Canadian governments actually did ban the technology.

Yet by this time, the news was out ? and individuals were beginning to realize the potential of subliminals as a revolutionary self-help tool. The idea of sending self-improvement affirmations direct to the subconscious mind was suddenly open to everyone.

But how? There are two primary ways you can actually ?send? subliminal messages. Visually, such as using the latest Subliminal Power software program (www.subliminal-power.com) to flash messages around your computer screen as you work. Or, less effectively, using sound, such as with the subliminal CDs you can order online at sites such as Subliminal CDs (www.subliminal-cds.com).

Yet if your budget is low, there's an even cheaper way to get the power of subliminal messaging working for you!

Here's how. Begin by identifying a couple of core goals you'd like to concentrate on in your life right now. For example, you may wish to learn faster or quit smoking. Then, write that goal down as a simple, short, positive affirmation.

For example, ?I am a quick learner? or ?I am ready to quit smoking?. Other examples include ?I invest wisely?, ?My reading speed increases every day?, or ?I am now more confident?.

Be careful: do not use negative terms, such as ?Not? or ?Don't? in your message. The subconscious does not understand such words in context and would read ?I don't gain weight? as ?I gain weight?. You have been warned.

Now write your affirmation, clearly and in thick black marker pen, onto a sheet of white cardboard. Create three-or-so cards, each with affirmations focusing on your core theme, and store them next to your bed with a flashlight.

Next comes the unsociable part!

We're going to catch your mind in a highly receptive state, by waking it up in the middle of the night, when the door to your subconscious is wide open.

Set your alarm clock for 3am, then go to sleep as normal. As soon as you hear the ring, turn off the alarm and?almost instinctively?pick up the affirmation cards and your flashlight. The room should be pitch black.

Next, flick the flashlight on and off very quickly a dozen times over each affirmation card. While doing this, stare at the cards. Do not consciously try to make out the words. These subliminal messages are for the subconscious.

When you're done, simply turn off the flashlight, put down the cards and return to sleep. It will take just two minutes of your time and I guarantee you'll fall straight back into deep and restful slumber.

That's it: you've just ?sent? a bundle of subliminal messages straight to your subconscious. What follows is exciting!

After the first few nights of using this technique, most individuals report problem-solving dreams that assist in their goals or influence their decisions. Just a week later and practically all participants note a serious movement toward their core goal. Their leaning speed improves dramatically. Their nicotine addiction is cut in half.

As the change comes from within, it isn't always obvious. Yet a few weeks down the line, most individuals sit back and realize just how far they've progressed without consciously realizing it. Soon, your goals have been achieved... the messages worked. When ready, you can move onto your next set of goals by simply writing out a new set of affirmation cards.

It's a very simple system, yet remains highly powerful and terribly underused.

Most people reading this article won't try this straightforward experiment. Maybe they just don't believe it will work, or maybe they view it as being altogether too much hassle.

It's inconvenient, certainly?perhaps not as user-friendly as a piece of modern subliminal software. But you think it doesn't work? Then try it for a week, and see for yourself.

Anthony Robbins, Tiger Woods, Derren Brown, New Scientist magazine, even the U.S. Government all know the power behind subliminal messaging.

And if you don't, maybe it's about time you caught up.