What is NLP?
I am often asked ?what is NLP??? I became a certified practitioner of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) in 1991.? After a brief exposure to it through a colleague, I instantly recognized how NLP could be useful to me ? in my work and in my life.
NLP is an approach to positive personal change.? It? provides a set of tools to help deal with unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour, while?simulatenously introducing new,?helpful?patterns.??NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) was created by Dr. Richard Bandler and Dr. John?Grinder in the early 1970?s.? As the name suggests, NLP is about the relationship between the brain (neuro), verbal and non-verbal language used to communicate?(linguistic), and the unique way they come together to create?behaviour (programming).
You have some?personal programs that work for you; and others that work against you.? NLP allows you to keep the ones that work for you and change those that do not.? The key, of course, is in being able to identify the program?NLP is about increasing your self-awareness, and then taking control of your thinking.
One enlightening NLP exercise has to do with recognizing and shaking limiting beliefs.? A limiting?belief generally begins with one of the following:
?I can?t???
EXAMPLE: ?I can?t speak in public.?
?People should??
EXAMPLE: ?People should be friendlier.?
?Everyone thinks??
EXAMPLE: ?Everyone thinks communication in this company is poor.?
?People never??
EXAMPLE: ?People never listen to me.?
Whenever you hear yourself making one of these statements, try this strategy.
Step 1: Challenge the belief: Where does this belief come from?? Is this belief still valid?? What evidence do I have to support this belief?? What evidence suggests the belief is untrue?
Step 2: Find an alternative belief: Consider many possibilities.? Try on new beliefs that are more positive and choose the best one for you.
Step 3: Integrate the new belief:? Imagine how things will be different with the new belief and?consider how you will?feel about this change.? imagine yourself doing going through your life, interacting with others,?with the new belief.? How do you feel?? Is this motivating for you?
Even though the name is long and looks complicated, the strategies of NLP are quite easy and straightforward.??The key is repetition and attention.? In the strategy above, if the belief is?well ingrained in your thinking (if you have held the belief for a long time or if it is associated with a?significant experience or memory), you?may need to repeat the process about several times before you can fully integrate the new belief.? Then, attend to the new results in your thinking, feeling and behaviour.
Do you have a belief that is getting in your way?? Send your story after you try the strategy above.? What new results are true for you?