“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
~Socrates
WHAT IS NLP?
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a methodology and technique used to identify how a person uniquely operates as an individual. These mind training skills uncover personal thinking, behaviors, and communication. NLP provides you with tools to enhance performance and remove unwanted habits and ways of thinking and being. In effect, NLP reprograms a person’s thoughts and behaviors to cause a shift in their desired outcome.
NLP encompasses the three most influential components involved in the human experience; neurology, language, and programming. To assist in clarification, the following is a breakdown of the meaning of NLP:
Neuro refers to ‘Neurology’ and the mind or brain, and how the state of mind or body may affect communication and behavior. These are the physical, mental, and emotional components of neurology. NLP teaches a structural way of viewing the state of mind and body, developing mental maps that show how things happen and how they can be changed.
Linguistic refers to ‘Language’ and linguistics pertains to the language that you use. More specifically, how you communicate with others and more importantly, how you communicate with yourself.
Programming refers to ‘Function’ and in perceiving your mind as your internal operating system. Programming is the way our past experiences, thoughts, and emotions affect all areas of our lives.
The Language of your Mind
As explained by Dr. Matt James (nlp.com):
“Learning NLP is like learning the language of your own mind!
This is the kind of relationship that most of us have with our own unconscious mind.
then something is probably getting lost in translation.
NLP training is like learning how to become fluent in the language of your mind so that the ever-so-helper “server” that is your unconscious will finally understand what you actually want out of life. NLP is the study of excellent communication-both with yourself, and with others. It was developed by modeling excellent communicators and therapists who got results with their clients. NLP is a set of tools and technique, but it is so much more than that. It is an attitude and methodology of knowing how to achieve your goals and get results.”
NLP AND REAL LIFE
Most people don’t realize that communication is made of so much more than interactions between people. There exists an entire world of communication within your mind and body. Inner life (your mindset, attitude, and feelings) is an active form of communication.
Master NLP Coach Brett Baughman explains this best:
“During conversations, most of us fixate on words. What does this person mean and what shall I say in return? It’s been long established that words are the least meaningful aspect of communication, conveying just 7% of meaning (Mehrabian, 1972).
For example, when someone tells you that everything is fine, but their voice is flat and their facial expression looks like they just ate rotten eggs…it’s obvious something is wrong. Their words said YES, but the non-verbal communication (which is the other 93% of communication) is saying I’M NOT FINE BUT I DON’T WANT TO TELL YOU.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming teaches you how to understand, recognize and utilize the other 93% of communication to your benefit. NLP is a system of tools designed to help you, objectively master non-verbal communication and learn to change or reprogram your thinking and behaviors to suit your goals.
‘The most important communication is not between people but within yourself!’ I have studied every methodology under the sun that relates to human behavior, psychology and communication and NLP is hands down the most powerful tool to create rapid, dramatic change.
I like to think of it like your operating manual. Once I work with you and show you the tools, you will always know how to update, enhance or change any wanted and unwanted behaviors; making life a more exciting journey of growth rather than pain.”
ORIGIN OF NLP
NLP was developed by Richard Bandler (whose background was in mathematics and gestalt therapy) and John Grinder (whose background was in linguistics), who believed it was possible to identify the patterns of thoughts and behaviors of successful individuals and to teach them to others. Bandler and Grinder published two books, The Structure of Magic I and II (1975, 1976), and NLP took off. Its popularity in the 1970’s was partly due to its versatility in addressing the many diverse issues that people face. Over the years, NLP has spread around the world and has touched the lives of millions of people. Some notable celebrities that have received NLP training are Tony Robbins, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Serena Williams, to name a few.
FOUR PILLARS OF NLP
NLP is often described as having four pillars that underwrite its many varied techniques, as described by Ian McDermott (itsnlp.com) they are:
RAPPORT
“And the greatest of these is rapport”
For effective communication you need to meet other people in their model of the world. In this way they will feel that they are being acknowledged. With rapport you will fundamentally change how you engage with others and the way you live.
OUTCOME ORIENTATION
“What do you want?”
It’s important to know what you’re going for and that your behavior is appropriate and ecological for achieving it. It’s smart to check out what others involved want and then dovetail your outcomes. Without a clear outcome you are more likely to be blown off course by external factors.
SENSORY ACUITY
“Are you using all your senses to pick up what’s going on?”
For instance, when you think of your outcome what will look, sound, taste, smell or feel different when you’re on the way to achieving it?
BEHAVIORAL FLEXIBILITY
“If what you are doing isn’t working, do something different.”
We always have choices about what we do, but we may need to develop more flexibility to do something different. Start by examining the world from different perspectives and points of view. The more flexible you are at seeing things from multiple points of view the more choices you will discover.
Now practice.
BENEFITS OF NLP
NLP has proven strategies that have been tested over time to produce the results you want.
NLP is used as a method of personal development through promoting skills:
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Self-reflection, confidence, and communication
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Communicating more effectively
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Creating deeper connections
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Developing positive interactions with friends, family members, coworkers and clients
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Easily building rapport
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Reprogramming the mind for success
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Gaining clarity in core values
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Releasing negative habits
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Releasing limiting beliefs and behaviors
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Overcoming procrastination and lack of motivation
Practitioners have applied NLP commercially to achieve work-related goals, such as:
NLP has been applied as a therapy for psychological disorders:
Anxiety ● Phobias ● Panic ● Communication challenges
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ● Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Attention-deficit hyperactivity ● Depression ● Addiction ● Schizophrenia
Obsessions ● Compulsions ● Borderline personality
NLP COACHING
As an NLP coach, The Reiki Warrior will guide you through exploring how your mind and emotions function in order to achieve goals, let go of negative emotions, limiting beliefs, and behaviors, and create a mindset that helps you achieve lasting results. When you become aware of how you are creating a mindset you don’t want, you can change it. NLP has the power to literally transform your life in new, positive directions, with powerfully positive strides. What you experience during NLP coaching may cause a shift that can happen instantly when you learn how to use the power of language, communication, and the unconscious mind.