The one EFT question I get asked over and over again is "How do I find the right set up phrase or opening statement to tap on?"

That is the million dollar question in EFT because the right set up phrase or opening statement is exactly what makes the "EFT miracle cure" happen in an instance. And to a large degree, how good an EFT practitioner is I would measure by how quickly and accurately they can identify the kinds of set up phrases or opening statements that would unlock that person's problems like the perfect key unlocks a door.

Here is an easy way to find perfect EFT set ups and opening statements you can do yourself when you are doing EFT in self help and without an experienced EFT practitioner to help you out.

X writes: My therapist has taught me EFT and I've been trying to use it when anxious. My problem is the starting phrase - "I totally and completely love and accept myself". I can't say that, I get stuck and can't go on. Can you help me?

Dear X,

You are not alone!

Lots and lots and lots of people, and probably even your therapist, although they might have forgotten this by now, baulk at the set up phrase "I deeply and profoundly love and accept myself."

Because they don't and they know they don't. And they don't want to do self help based on a lie. Totally understandable!

Here are 5 alternative approaches to choose from.

Here are the EFT top ten tapping tips for self help users of EFT Emotional Freedom Techniques by the Author of the world's bestselling book on EFT in brief.

Dr Silvia Hartmann writes: Here is a nice, simple method to help with calming down when tapping with EFT Emotional Freedom Techniques when stress is high.

Over time, this can also help you build up a better idea how your energy system works, so you can have a personal map you can work with in many different ways.

Have you heard this one?

"I (or someone I know) suffers from (insert ANY disease known to mankind). I'm thinking of using EFT - BUT do you know of anyone else who has successfully overcome/healed (disease X) and HOW did they do it?"

• The "Three Lines Of Enquiry" is a simple, practical and very effective way for beginners to find their way into a problem and come up with the right EFT opening statements.
  

Dr Silvia Hartmann writes: I have noticed something which can make a big difference in the effectiveness of EFT treatments (and other treatments that rely on tapping or holding major meridian points).

This EFT tip is quite simple and a single instruction given at the right time by an experienced EFT practitioner will improve the speed at which the SUDs levels go down, and reduce the number of rounds needed to complete the treatment.

What I have noticed is this.

Here is a practical, real life case for just how USEFUL it is when people know how to do EFT - the example of an author writing their first book, and using EFT to sort out not just their attitude, but also  their writing skills, thus setting free the "heart of gold", the true message that comes from the heart, and allows it to be heard.

 Raising your metabolic rate makes you faster, stronger and more efficient in mind and body. EFT achieves this by taking out *blockages* and *reversals* which are slowing our metabolism down and is thereby safe and ecological. Raising your metabolism is a content free, very basic endeavour that supports everything you might want to think, be, do or achieve. It works wonders with procrastination, makes "hard" work much easier, helps with fitness and health without having to go to the gym or eating less, and brings about life style changes naturally and from the inside out - they just happen as a result, without willpower or any other type of force being employed to "make it happen".

Thomas asks: "Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, "If I had only an hour to chop down a tree, I'd spend 45 minutes sharpening my axe." Is the EFT Set-up Phrase the axe to my problem tree? Is it the 20% of the technique that accounts for 80% of the results? Is it imperative that I have the RIGHT Set-up Phrase? In other words, is it THE most important part of EFT? Thanks. -- Thomas"

A running joke in the EFT community is the person who mails, calls or raises their hand and asks, "I have this terrible headache. What opening statement (set up) should I use?"

Obviously, the set up is "I have this terrible headache!"

Here is an example on how to spot the right set up or opening statement, so that the person can know what they should be tapping on.

Try EFT For Yourself!

Here is a complete EFT Emotional Freedom Techniques Protocol for you to try courtesy of the best selling book on EFT 'Adventures in EFT' by Dr Silvia Hartmann.

This is the original, classic EFT protocol including the Gamut treatment that helped so many since 1996.

Like EFT, this technique is based on the meridian system which transports energy around the body.

Fear and stress results in blockages in this system. When the blockage is softened or removed, energy flows freely and you experience a sense of calm and well being.

Below, you will find the EFT Based Two Minute Release animation that will take you through a simplified version of stimulating a number of major meridian points by lightly touching or massaging them and breathing deeply at the same time.

EFT For Bad Dreams & Nightmares

Bad dreams and nightmares are a very disturbing proposition; it's always well to keep in mind that these are manifestations and symptoms of an underlying problem, and never a problem in and of themselves.