NLP FOR BEGINNERS - Jumpstart NLP (PDFDrive)
NLP FOR BEGINNERS - Jumpstart NLP (PDFDrive)
NLP FOR BEGINNERS - Jumpstart NLP (PDFDrive)
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About Greg Frost
Greg Frost is a bestselling author and self improvement coach who has helped thousands of
people worldwide achieve their dreams. He believes that it is “Choice, not chance that
determines destiny.”
Born within a middle‐income family, he has struck out on his own and achieved great success in
his relationships, career, health and life. His dream is to touch and improve the lives of at least
10 million people worldwide.
You can find out more about him and his other products at:
http://www.LifetimeOfHappiness.com/
http://www.BreakthroughPrinciple.com
http://www.ChargedAudio.com
http://www.MindMaximus.com
http://www.LawsofSuccessfulLiving.com
http://www.MindSecretsExposed.com
http://www.SmallTalkBigSuccess.com
http://www.Photographic‐Memory.org
http://www.More‐Confident.com
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW OF NLP .................................................................................. 6
Chapter One
DEFINITION: WHAT IS NLP AND WHAT IS IT FOR?....................................................... 7
Chapter Two
HISTORY OF NLP AND ITS PRESUPPOSITIONS............................................................... 9
Chapter
Three NLP IN THERAPY........................................................................................................15
Chapter Four
NLP ANALYTICAL MODELS..................................................................................................17
Chapter Five
APPLICATIONS AND TECHNIQUES OF NLP ....................................................................33
Chapter Six
DOES NLP WORK, AND HOW?.............................................................................................47
SUMMARY..................................................................................................................................54
NLP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS............................................................................55
NLP TRENDS .............................................................................................................................59
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................61
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INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW OF NLP
Are you having trouble controlling your emotions? Do you want to finally get that
promotion that you’ve been working so hard on for years? Then you might need a whole new
approach to your personal development through NLP. Neuro‐linguistic Programming or NLP is a
system that helps you define your outlook on the world. NLP changes your perception based on
the words, actions and ways of thinking of the model you choose. Different strategies are
incorporated to specifically aid you in your overall transformation as an individual.
It’s not too late even if you think you have been a failure all your life. You can still turn
your world around by learning your personal strengths and weaknesses as a person. You will be
amazed that you can still learn new behaviors and attitudes which result in success. Just like
every other human being, you have everything you need inside you to build your career, your
relationships and your life.
One problem that hinders people from achieving success is their personal approach to
handling the challenges and situations that are imposed upon them by their environment. If
you can learn to adapt to change and base your perception on successful models, then you will
realize your true potential.
NLP is a powerful and effective tool that can help you realize your goals. For over three
decades, it has remained highly popular for its personal, social and professional benefits. The
system is still controversial in the scientific and psychological community, but you can be the
judge of its therapeutic effects by trying them yourself.
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1
Chapter One
DEFINITION: WHAT IS NLP AND WHAT IS IT FOR?
What is NLP?
Your behavior is based on a certain structure. NLP examines this structure of the way
you think, act and speak with the use of specific models. The models were initially patterned by
Richard Bandler from inspirational characters such as Milton Erickson, Virginia Satir and Fritz
Perlz, who were highly regarded because of their behavioral and linguistic prowess.
Your personal experiences are the primary applications of the system. You cannot easily
learn it with the use of sequential steps and techniques; but programmers are keener in
incorporating the methods to redefine how your brain functions and perceives. The system
aims to build a solid foundation of attitudes and skills, so that these will independently produce
new techniques and approaches for your self‐preservation. You will not only rely on steps and
techniques that were directly taught to you; you will also learn how to adapt and form new
ones to continually achieve success.
NLP is a multi‐faceted process that involves the psychological effects on behavior. It is
an epistemology which uses different stages in human development and thought and attitude
formation. It provides efficient tools and strategies that define your role as a human being, your
identity, and your ideal state of success. Although the initial state begins within you, the
process gradually involves your environment and the people around you to create aspirations
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and the right mindset that leads to attaining them.
What is NLP For?
NLP is a toolbox of attitudes, thoughts and skills. Its models become patterns by which
your original negative habits will be redefined and changed. You are basically aiming for
personal development and success if you’re thinking of using NLP. Here are some ideas of what
NLP is for.
1. NLP gives you success. Whether you are having problems in your family, work or leisure,
NLP enables you to change your outlook and vision toward the world as a whole. You
will be able to see the deeper meaning and priorities in your life. Once you realize your
strong and weak areas, you can then concentrate on the things that can make you a
more efficient family member, worker and person, thus producing success in the long
run.
2. NLP improves communication. You can convert your positive way of thinking into words.
When you redefine your thoughts and emotions and effectively communicate and share
your perspective with others, then you become more competent verbally.
Communication is a powerful means of providing you with a vast network of people,
stronger influence, and a more dynamic way of expressing yourself.
your plans into action, or learning from your experience. This only means that your mind,
body and feelings are not in sync. NLP allows you to create a connection so that all
aspects of your existence as a human being coincide and work together towards
achieving personal success
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2
Chapter Two
HISTORY OF NLP AND ITS PRESUPPOSITIONS
NLP was co‐founded and developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970’s.
Gregory Bateson supervised the development of the system at the University of California,
Santa Cruz. Alfred Korzybski had great influence on Bateson, Bandler and Grinder because of his
theories on human modeling and presuppositions. Leslie Cameron‐Bandler, Judith DeLozier,
Robert Dilts and David Gordon also contributed later on.
Grinder and Bandler contributed much in the early stages of NLP, but the two
co‐founders fell out by the 1980’s. Grinder and DeLozier developed the New Code of NLP,
which consisted of a mind‐body approach. Bandler focused on submodalities and Ericksonian
hypnosis. Michael Hall focused on mental states and neuro‐semantics. Tad James made people
visualize certain periods in their life for more effective therapy. Anthony Robbins contributed to
the popularity of NLP with his products which used NLP extensively. At this point, NLP was
managed and developed in several independent sectors, renamed and then multiplied. There
was a lack of definition and regulation, which did not help its reputation.
After a series of legal battles, NLP legally became a generic term. Today, there is still no
general agreement among practitioners about the theory of NLP, which has left it open to
abuse by some. However, most of the works are still based on the ideas of the co‐founders and
other respected individuals. Today, certification is required to formally practice NLP for human
conditioning and development. The system has been widely recognized in adjunct to therapy
with satisfactory results.
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NLP Presuppositions
Two fundamental presuppositions serve as the foundation of NLP. All models,
techniques and strategies associated with the system are used together with these assumptions.
Since NLP is the study of subjective experience, one assumption is that human beings are
unable to identify objective reality. There is no such thing as a perfect or right direction in
leading your life, which is why you only aim for the best possible situation, hoping to make the
right choice with the right attitude. Your goal in using NLP is to acquire excellence and wisdom.
By widening your options, you increase your chances of gaining excellence; and by acquiring
different views of your environment, you become wiser.
1. The map is not the territory. Reality can not be lived with a single direct route. As a
human being, you are offered different options as to how you want to live your life.
Depending on your experiences and perceptions, you make choices, which lead you
from one path to another. You have your own map of reality, involving your
representation of yourself and the world around you. It is through this map that you
react to the world around you and know yourself better. But when there are too many
discrepancies between your personal map and the actual reality of the territory, you are
likely to get lost.
2. Life and mind are systemic processes. There is always an interaction between you and
another human being or between you and the environment. Everything in the universe
is interrelated, from the simplest part to the most complex systems. When a part of
your mind or life is affected, the entire unit will also absorb the effects as a whole. This
connection occurs to maintain constant balance.
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Other NLP Presuppositions
1. The meaning of the communication is the response it elicits. The manner and content
of reply you receive from the person you are communicating with is what the entire
communication meant. You may try to relay a certain message but validation of
understanding will only be done once the receiver or the person you’re communicating
with has replied appropriately. For example, if you’re telling a joke but the other person
did not laugh as you expected, then maybe the thought or your manner of telling was
not entirely conducive to your desired communication. It may not have been perceived
on a funny level.
2. There are two communication levels: Conscious and Unconscious. Most forms of
communication done by human beings are not only verbal. You may not even notice it
but you use a lot of hand and eye movements, facial expressions, posturing, non‐verbal
cues and body language along with verbal communication. You can add to the tone and
mood behind the verbal message you’re implying to effectively relay it. For example you
can say, “Get out of here.” with two entirely different gestures which could imply two
very different meanings.
3. There are no failures in communication, but only outcomes. If you did not receive the
response that you were expecting after communicating with another person, the
communication process was not useless or a failure. It only means that the outcome was
different from what you intended it to be. This should only encourage you to improve
your skills and attitude about communication. Learn from undesirable past outcomes so
that you will be able to gauge and identify the factors that prevented the right message
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from being delivered.
4. Rapport is relating to individuals according to their model of the world. Since all
people create their own model or representation of the world depending on their
understanding of past experiences and the influence of others and the environment, it
requires some effort to step into another’s model. It means that you have to view the
world the same way they do so that you can effectively build rapport and communicate.
If you choose to remain close‐minded about other people’s representation, it may be
difficult for you to elicit a desired response since the other person also has trouble
understanding your own model.
5. Resistance reveals the inflexibility of the communicator. If you experience resistance
on the part of the person you are talking to, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the person
is not open to communication. It may be that you are not establishing rapport
effectively. You need to enter their realm and model of the world first, or else they will
unconsciously refuse to receive your messages. You have to learn how to be flexible in
order to understand and speak their language since they cannot readily understand
yours. If you are inflexible then you risk sounding insulting by asking them to change.
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6. People have all the resources they need to change. You do not need to acquire new
things in order to make you a good communicator, leader or to make changes in your
life. You already have all the behavioral, mental and emotional resources inside of you.
If you do not recognize this, it only means that you have not yet accessed them properly
or realized your true strengths. There are chronic stressors that have been preventing
you from using them. NLP practitioners help you become aware of your resources and
learn how to use them.
7. A person’s positive worth is constant even when the value of internal and external
behavior is questioned. Universally, each and every human being has worth and dignity
regardless of their thoughts and actions. However, there are good and bad behaviors
which may determine the person’s judgment of his worth to himself and his
environment. This means that your value as a person remains unchanged no matter
how bad your behavior is. People will measure the value of your actions and behavior
according to their expectations. It is possible to change bad actions and manners of
thinking to be more aligned with one's deeper personal value.
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8. All behavior has a positive intention. All behavior is intended for positive outcomes but
not every behavior is designed to be carried out in a positive manner. There are several
self‐preserving mechanisms that aim for personal benefit but the process of achieving
that goal is very dangerous for you and other people. Some of these behaviors are
unconscious and sometimes your mind and body only think about the positive outcome
regardless of the negative means. For example, euthanasia is intended to relieve
patients of their misery. The intention is positive but the behavior and method are still
life‐ending.
9. Good decision‐making requires accurate information. Do not immediately rush into
action or make a decision before you have acquired full knowledge. You also have to
give yourself enough time to calm your excitement since haste and disrupted emotions
result in poor judgment and inadequacy of action. You have to distinguish what is
conscious from automated responses and also differentiate your ideals from what is
actually happening in your life. Make reality checks frequently so that you can
effectively increase your choices and make good decisions.
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3 Chapter Three
NLP IN THERAPY
You will be amazed by the positive effects of NLP in therapy. Besides using the
traditional methods of treatment through medicine and physical interventions, a radical
emotional and psychological approach is intended to help achieve an overall effect on your
recovery. You will be able to effectively assess your specific needs, goals, strengths and
weaknesses, which, in turn, will cause a dramatic change in your routines, lifestyle and
participation in treatment.
1. Stress management. Stress can trigger a disease or adverse reaction. It can also be the
effect of an existing condition. NLP effectively relieves your feelings of uncertainty and
depression, which can positively affect your present condition. By realizing your
strengths and fostering a positive perspective on life, you can eliminate stress entirely
and change for the better.
2. Relational benefits. Some of your conditions are only after‐effects of strains in your
relationships with other people. NLP helps you deal with your social problems by
improving your communication skills, as well as boosting your self confidence. With
family and social support, therapy will be much easier and faster.
3. Maximum performance. Since NLP aims for personal development and excellence, you
will be able to live your life to its fullest potential. It does not necessarily mean that you
will be great at everything that you do, but at least you will be able to accept yourself
and enjoy the things around you. Your performance will improve, especially when
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undergoing therapy or treatment. This will ensure faster recovery and a more positive
attitude toward wellness.
4. Overcoming fears. Your fears can be very detrimental to your personal growth. Several
approaches are present in NLP that allow you to overcome the things which have
prevented you from living a richer life. A positive outlook in life and good self‐esteem
will enable you to take advantage of situations that used to hinder you from achieving
success.
5. Time management. When you begin aiming for success, you will also learn how to
spend your time wisely to achieve your goals. Time is a very important factor to consider,
especially when you know that you only have a limited number of years to realize your
potential. You will be able to appreciate the time you have more in the process.
6. Lifestyle changes. Fostering a positive view of life will encourage you to start living a
healthier lifestyle. NLP will help you take care of your physical body to be able to endure
the struggles of daily living. Sleep, eat and exercise properly. You enhance your mood
when you see a healthier you in the mirror.
7. Personal appreciation. Nobody is perfect; but it doesn’t mean that you should stop
aiming to be the best. NLP will help you develop skills, attitudes and behaviors which
will improve the way you see and think about yourself. The system will help you keep in
touch with your emotions and thoughts more, as well as improve the way you relate
with other people and your environment.
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4 Chapter Four
NLP ANALYTICAL MODELS
Strategies
NLP theory, all aspects of the world around you use one or a blend of these strategies, like
making friends, legal negotiations and world peace. (Older versions of NLP speak of three
fundamental strategies, but the two additional strategies are derived from the ideas of the
initial three.)
1. Memory. You have your own way of inputting and accessing experience as to what it
means to you. Your mind will store data from your own personal experiences. Later on,
you will then retrieve the information from that memory and try to distinguish whether
it is a good, neutral or bad one. This is how you learn from mistakes or cherish past
successes. You are constantly retrieving the information you have stored to be used in
decision‐making, critical thinking and to find new approaches to a new situation.
2. Belief. You compare your real experiences with your interpretation of them. By looking
at the things that actually happened in your life and aspiring to the ideals which you
have set for yourself, you begin to convince yourself that you can achieve a higher state.
It is also called convincer strategy, since your belief will then lead you to try to be more
successful than you are in your present reality.
3. Decision. Basing on the second criteria of belief, you start to make options for yourself
as to how you want to achieve your goals in life. You assess and evaluate your past
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condition, your present situation and your future, then identify the choices that led you
to become a better human being. These choices will most likely be your guide in the
other decisions you have to make to reach your ideal future. This strategy is often used
in accordance with the TOTE (Test‐Operation‐Test‐Exit). The TOTE is the general model
of a strategy.
4. Motivation. This strategy is a collaboration of the first three. You access your memory
to provide a baseline scenario of reality. Your imagination or belief is then incorporated
to set a comparison as to how greater things can be achieved. You then create decisions
to help you reach these greater things. When these three combine, you will feel a
powerful drive to achieve your goals. This is called motivation. Motivation differs with
each individual, depending on their own personal experience and belief.
5. Learning. This strategy incorporates memory, decision and motivation for you to learn
faster and more efficiently. You access your memory to provide you with necessary
information relevant to the task at hand. The decisions you made in the past will
determine how much success or failure you had, in the sense that you will have learned
to make wiser ones for the future. Motivation allows you to avoid making the same
mistake again, thus, paving the way to learning. You will be more inclined to gain
information based on what you know, what you have done, and what you plan to do.
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Submodalities
Your five basic senses: visual or seeing, auditory or hearing, olfactory or smell, gustatory
or taste and kinesthetic or touch are known as modalities in NLP. Modalities or representational
systems are processed by your brain into your own perspective of the world. These
representations can be then broken down further into subjective subdivisions called
submodalities.
Strong or Weak Strong or Weak
Concentrated or Diluted Large or Small Area
Rich or Thin Heavy or Light
Fresh or Spoiled Location
Sweet, Sour, Salty, Spicy or Bitter Smooth or Rough
Tangy or Clear Constant or Intermittent
Soft or Sharp Hot or Cold
Fermented or Unfermented Size
Alcoholic or Non‐alcoholic Shape
Mild or Strong Pressure
Natural or Processed Vibration
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Submodalities are very helpful in NLP since they guide you in appreciating the things
that you already have. Since NLP recognizes that you have everything you need to become
successful, the use of submodalities lets you realize your very own potential. You will set a
mental image that allows you to distinctly see your true self and how you wish to live your life
in the years to come. The submodalities will differentiate positive and negative thoughts. Your
experiences are your own and no one else in the world will go through them or learn from them
the same way as you do. This is the use of submodalities in the sense that you can distinctly
create your own mental imagery of reality and your personal experiences. Each person’s brain
and level of emotions are unique.
For example, you can easily regard your experiences as good or bad. Memories can be
labeled as unimportant or life‐changing. All these are basically submodalities in their function of
changing your perspective as a person. There are these so‐called critical submodalities which
aim to develop you as an individual. These are the ones that affect you in the long term and on
a larger scale. You can think of a past experience then transform it into something better and
worthwhile. Add all the descriptions and submodalities that you can to make it more ideal than
how it really occurred. This changes your overall view and transforms your personality.
There are techniques that incorporate the use of mental imagery to help you provide
submodalities to subjective experiences. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you deviate from
reality but you simply create a whole new perspective on a formerly unpleasant circumstance
and change your attitude into a more conducive one for learning and success.
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Anchoring
Anchoring is a process that connects or anchors memory or other factors to a stimulus.
The anchor or stimulus becomes the trigger to the anchored reaction. The anchor may not have
any logical relation to the reaction that it is causing and the reaction may be adverse or
beneficial. However, by using anchors, you can stimulate certain reactions in order to change
your overall attitude and behavior toward a certain condition.
The stimuli of touch, sight, sound, smell and taste are used in NLP to induce a desired
state. This state is an experience or memory that you wish to access in order to create a
representation that can transform your outlook into a more positive one. When the stimulus is
activated, it evokes a state of mind containing specific thoughts and emotions. For example,
hearing an old song may bring you back to your childhood or seeing an old house may remind
you of how things were in your old neighborhood.
In NLP, anchoring becomes an effective tool, since you can associate the triggers with
the state you wish to achieve. You can establish an anchor by creating a stimulus while
simultaneously evoking the state you wish to achieve. For example, when a special person asks
you to remember her then gives you a locket, then the locket becomes the trigger and the
memory of the person becomes the resourceful state. The two are then so closely associated
that whenever you look at the anchor (the locket,) you become reminded of the resourceful
state or person who gave it to you.
Anchors can be visual, auditory or kinesthetic. These three modalities will be your tools
in creating an image that can easily retrieve information from your memory to facilitate a
response. It is useful to establish anchors, especially during moments of significant experiences,
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to improve your subjective and critical view of your environment.
1. Visual. Visual anchors can be external or internal. An external anchor makes use of what
is really there to see while an internal one makes use of your imagination. A necklace
which you can carry around all the time is an example of an external anchor. A mental
image of your old home would be an internal anchor. Visual anchors can be anything
that you can see such as shapes, objects, places, and people. This is why objects can
possess sentimental value.
2. Auditory. This anchor can also be internal or external. What you can actually hear is an
external anchor while a voice that you remember can be used as an internal anchor.
Whistling or singing can help soothe your nerves when you feel anxious or restless. You
can recall the voice of your mother humming a lullaby or comforting you and associate it
with happy moments in your life to help you relax.
3. Kinesthetic. An example of an internal anchor would be to imagine your father’s
handshake whenever you did something great. You can link this to the feeling of
achievement or success. Some examples of external anchors would be to feel the fur of
your dog as you hug him or running your hand through your loved one’s hair. You can
link these feelings of touch with happy moments and memories.
Transderivational Search
Transderivational search or TDS is a term used when one tries to find the meaning of
ambiguous or incomplete statements. When a message is unclear, we try to supply the missing
information from our own knowledge and experience to give it meaning. The state of
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confusion that is experienced while the search for meaning is being carried out puts the person
in a mild state of trance.
NLP practitioners use this to put their clients in a hypnotic state by deliberately uttering
ambiguous statements. Milton Ericson was a master at this technique.
1. Leading statements. These statements introduce an uncertain scenario that triggers
full explanation then leaves your brain to process the whole idea and find meaning to it.
Here are some examples.
a. “The varying shades of paint.” Hearing this, your mind will begin exploring all the
possible colors that paint can come in. The setup and scope of paint and color
has been created without fully showing the exact shades, which will lead you to
wonder which particular shades are being referred to.
b. “What you said last night.” The vagueness will let the mind cover everything that
occurred within the parameters set by the statement. It considers the words and
the time frame then seeks internally all the ideas that may be important and
relevant to the discussion at hand. One by one, the mind will eliminate
unimportant ideas to try and narrow down to the contextual meaning of the
sentence.
c. “You forgot.” The aspect of wondering is still present as the mind searches
stored information and memory. You attempt to know the exact object, event,
place or person that may have been forgotten. The use of these types of
statements is very powerful for manipulation of others.
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2. Textual ambiguity. Ambiguity may stem from not understanding a combination of
words, not understanding the contextual meaning of terms or not hearing the words
properly.
“Has there been sack jumping down the penny lane?” Upon hearing this
ambiguous statement, your mind will begin to interpret it as a whole or only by the
terms that it can understand.
Chaining States
Chaining states together is an NLP technique, wherein your current emotional state will
be redefined into another one more conducive to learning and success. If you have the present
habit or feeling of doubt within you, there are methods that will encourage you to change your
mindset and attitude, thereby giving you a whole new perception of the world around you. This
method also enhances your perspective toward yourself as a human being. You will be more
inclined to try new things and feel braver to face new challenges. It is a very effective tool in
achieving success. You can chain or move from one state to another or more.
1. Introduce the present state. You should first be aware or have an idea of your current
emotional state so that you will have an easier time shifting into the next. Knowing this
may come from the words you’re saying, the thoughts in your head or your particular
feeling at the moment. This state is your very own way of attempting to gather
information. Here are some ideas on how to find out your own present state.
a. Verbal. Asking, “What’s going to happen at the party?” puts you into an
emotional state of curiosity. This is highly useful in learning.
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b. Mental. Thinking, ‘Would it be that bad if I don’t go?’ puts you into an emotional
state of wonder. This provides you with choices that can lead or chain you to
another state.
c. Behavioral. Whatever you feel about the decision you’re trying to make
specifically describes your current emotional state.
2. Introduce the next state and chain. After you have accurately identified your current
emotional state, you can use the very same techniques to introduce the next state you
wish to move into. Verbally, mentally or behaviorally access another emotional state.
Elicit or illustrate in your mind the feeling associated with it and allow yourself to
indulge in that feeling or thought. From a state of curiosity you can then move on to a
state of awareness. Learning does not necessarily stop once you satisfy curiosity. You
can then bridge into a new emotional state that doesn’t attempt to resolve anything. It
can simply be a feeling of fulfillment within you as a person.
3. Chain to the next state and depict. You can then transfer from one emotional state to
another depending on your personal needs. Knowing the kind of state you need to be in
at the moment will help you adapt to your surroundings and relate to other people
better. This, in turn, will guarantee you success once you learn how to respond and
bring forth the state relative to the situation at hand. Depending on the current
situation, you will then lead yourself into a new realm of possibilities in accord with the
state you’re in.
There are several methods to effectively chain or lead you into a state. What’s
more important is that you have a particular outcome in mind. This end result will
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determine the emotion, thought or action involved once the state is achieved. The main
goal of chaining states in NLP is to create a more beneficial attitude and thought toward
success.
Meta Model
John Grinder and Richard Bandler introduced and developed the meta model of NLP to
create a wider dimension of a person’s view of the world. It involves questions that narrow
down information and illustration so that you can make your own limitless perspective on an
object or event. The meta model makes use of language but you may or may not be completely
aware of everything that is communicated. There are three processes involved in the semantics
and grammar usage of the meta model.
1. Deletion. You may have various thoughts in your head pertaining to a story or
circumstance but you don’t have to say everything to give your listener a full view.
Deleting terms or ideas can be done without disturbing the overall thought of your story.
However, some unspecified details leave the mind wondering. Here are some examples
of deletion.
a. Simple Deletion. Saying, “I am grieving.” creates the picture of melancholy but
leaves out exactly the person or event that is being grieved for.
b. Comparative Deletion. Saying, “Last night was worse.” suggests another
unknown object or event of the same type, making a clear comparison with an
unclear subject.
c. Unspecified Referential Index. Saying, “He took it.” provides a situation but does
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not indicate the person who did it and the object that was taken.
d. Unspecified Verb. Saying, “He took it.” has a verb but still does not provide the
exact information as to how the taking was done or how the event exactly
happened.
e. Nominalization. Saying, “His love is undying.” includes a noun which is a
nominalization but cannot be generally labeled. Other similar nouns are
friendship, trust, joy, etc.
2. Generalizations. These statements can be arguable because they lack definition and are
closed‐ended. Several questions requiring a rhetorical response can be raised after the
statement. The terms used are absolute, exaggerated or very negative.
a. Universal Quantifiers. Saying, “He never showed me he cared.” can be opposed
because the term used is closed‐ended and highly unlikely. Other generalized
terms are all, only, nothing, etc.
b. Modal Operators of Necessity or Possibility. Saying, “It’s impossible at this
time.” limits the situation entirely although there may still be possibilities.
Similar terms are must, have to, need to, can’t, won’t, may not, etc.
3. Distortions. These statements are basically unclear and inaccurate. A lot of assumptions
are involved which is why your mind tends to create its own scenario and results of the
situation.
a. Cause‐Effect. Saying, “If he looked at me, I’d die.” shows a cause and effect
include because, due to, if, etc.
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b. Presupposition. Saying, “When will you pay your debt?” indicates the
non‐existence of payment without exactly having to say the full words.
c. Mind Reading. Saying, “My father was happy with my spending.” shows that you
seem to feel or know the same thing as another person.
d. Lost Performative. Saying, “This is the best way to cook fish.” gives importance
to a judgment with no distinct authority that has set it.
e. Complex Equivalence. Saying, “My dad sat with me without saying a word which
means that he is angry with me.” connects two situations that provide one single
thought or meaning. The connection of the events includes terms like therefore,
thereby, meaning, etc.
Meta Programs
Meta programs in NLP are strategies which you follow through your own representation
or model that lead to an outcome. The programs help you make decisions for different
situations based on what you’ve learned in communication, body language and behavior. Since
you gain information and subjective experience, meta programs will then enable you to act on
these. The way you respond to a situation with the use of past information and experience will
be most likely the same way you will respond to other situations in the future. Thus a pattern or
strategic approach will develop in you as an individual.
Meta programs have various benefits. The strategies or programs will help you define
language and behavior patterns that will enhance your abilities and understanding of the world.
In turn, you will be more equipped to handle different situations, relate with other people and
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take advantage of opportunities. All these lead directly to personal success. The pattern is not
universal and will differ with each individual. It does not merely incorporate or plant the
pattern inside you but will help you develop your very own way of thinking and acting
specifically designed to bring out your best traits and qualities. Here are some examples of
meta programs.
1. Self Reference vs. Other Reference. In this meta program, you base the information you
get and the attention you give only on your own or another person’s beliefs and
understanding. The choice you make will matter only to you or the significant person
your conscious mind is referring to. You should clearly identify your own standards or
correlate with another depending on whose opinion affects you more.
2. Association vs. Dissociation. Association allows you to fully indulge in a situation
physically, mentally and emotionally. This is highly effective in building relationships and
establishing rapport. Dissociation is more concerned with the demands at hand and will
deviate from being too emotionally attached to accomplish a specific task. It is effective
in dealing with critical situations. You must know that a balance must be maintained in
order to attend to a situation effectively and be sensitive enough to respond accordingly.
Too much association will make you too attached while too much dissociation will make
you apathetic.
3. Best Case vs. Worst Case Scenario. This is a matter of looking at a situation in black and
white. It can lead you to become either optimistic or pessimistic. When making
decisions, you have to learn how to balance what is real from what is ideal. Some
situations may require you to exert extra effort with the possibility of success while
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others seem easier left undone. The difficult part is others may not feel the same way as
you and seeing negative situations can either make you give up or spur you to do more.
The program and habitual patterns that you have developed will help you compare
more efficiently and make a better choice.
4. Toward vs. Away From. The main idea in this meta program is that people move toward
what they want and away from what they don’t want. The common problem is that
when people move away from what they don’t want, they lose track of their true
intentions and goals, and thus unconsciously forget what they want. So they move away
from one thing but no longer move toward another due to losing sight of their goal.
Some things in life will require you to move toward a solution to achieve the benefits
after overcoming the problem. The attitudes involved in accomplishing the task still
largely involve perseverance and determination.
Semantic Primes and Density
Semantic primes are universal meanings attached to certain words or language. A whole
new meaning is related to terms which used to be considered as simple or as they really were.
The use of semantic primes is functional in identifying cultural and linguistic deviations among
commonly used terms. A foundation has then been created allowing broad usage in language
use, understanding, translation and interracial communication.
The theory revolves around the idea that semantic primes exist in words or other
communication expressions in all languages. This existence is then valuable in identifying and
analyzing how other cultures and people relate with each other. There is a proposed universal
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grammar even if the details may not be entirely similar. Semantic primitives are then used as a
foundation in producing meaning or semantic density.
Semantic density is the broad definition highly associated with the primitive term. Since
there is already the presence of a universal prime, it is bound in a number of radically similar
terms. For example, using the term “before” is synonymously bound under the semantic
primitive for time. When discussing time, the semantic density will attempt to search the exact
date or occasion of the particular period mentioned across all language spectrums. The
morphology and syntax may not be entirely similar or understandable but they all denote the
same meaning. The combination of simple terms can provide a whole new meaning, making the
combination indivisible.
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Here are the English exponents of the 61 Semantic Primitives. Nine languages (Cree,
Korean, Lao, Mbula, Malay, Mandarin, Polish, Spanish and Yankunytjatjara) were used to test
the presence of these primes in all languages.
Semantic Primitive Term
Substantives I, you, something, thing, somebody, body
Mental Predicates be, see, hear, think, know, want
Speech say, word
Actions, Movements and Events go, do, move
Existence and Possession there is, have
Life and Death live, die
Time long time, short time, before, after
Space where, here, there, inside, outside
Intensifier Very
Augmenter More
Quantifier one, two, some, many, much
Evaluator good, bad
Descriptor big, small, narrow, wide
Determiner this, other
Similarity Like
Taxonomy and Partonomy kind of, part of
Logical Concepts can, if, maybe, because
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5 Chapter Five
APPLICATIONS AND TECHNIQUES OF NLP
Visual Squash
Visual squash is an NLP technique that aids in acknowledging each part to reconstitute a
whole. Each part is integrated to a higher level than what was formerly set by the limits until a
state of unity and entirety is achieved. The process chunks up as each unconscious logical level
is reached. Each part is identified and defined according to its function and relative effect on
other parts. Visual squash is very effective in resolving the conflict between parts so that
everything will be able to work systematically to produce success.
The idea of visual squash is to recondition your former thought or feeling into a more
positive one. The old pattern is very likely to be negative or a hindrance to your success, which
is why you should learn how to decondition then recondition. Decondition means to remove
your old perspective while recondition means replacing the old perspective with a new and
beneficial one. You can easily redirect negative thoughts and feelings into positive ones when
you learn the process of deconditioning and reconditioning.
1. Visualize the negative pattern. Visual squash literally means squashing what you see in
your mind. You first have to think of the negative thought then put it into an animated
scenario. For example, think that you’re not a leader. Picture your friends not wanting
to follow your simplest invitations. Exaggerate to really emphasize the negative idea.
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2. Visualize the replacement pattern. It is advisable that you picture the exact opposite of
the initial image you had in mind. Instead of thinking that you’re not a leader, tell
yourself that you’re a great leader. Again create a visual scenario in your mind. Draw
senators following your every command and people loving your every order. Exaggerate
the scenario as you please.
3. Chain the two states. Put your initial negative thought pattern at the start and your final
positive thought pattern at the end. Now, it is up to you to provide the middle scenario
that will link the two states together. Visualize and create your very own story of how
the first awkward scenario can lead to the great ending. Express with your own
imagination.
4. Decondition. Let go of the initial negative thought pattern. You may visually squash it in
your head, entirely removing all the details and dwelling only on the final piece of
positive thought. You can mentally picture a huge hand pounding the whole scenario
into dust.
5. Recondition. As you dwell on your new positive thought pattern, you’ll realize that your
new mindset and attitude have beneficial effects on you as an individual. You’ll be more
inclined to relate to, communicate with and lead people. Even when you think of the
former negative thought, your mind will immediately link it to your reconditioned
positive state.
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Collapsing Anchors
Anchors can be positive, negative, or both. To maintain a positive outlook in life you also
have to learn how to collapse or break your negative anchors. Anchors are created by linking to
a state. The anchor or trigger automatically brings forth the state of mind you wish to harness
at the moment you’re trying to achieve something. However, negative anchors also
immediately put you into a state of doubt or uncertainty if you have initially associated them
with a negative experience. You have to know how to collapse these anchors to remove the
association with its negative thought and feeling. Here’s how.
1. Identify the anchor. The anchor may be a feeling, thought, disability or experience.
There may be several but you have to narrow down the negative anchors one at a time
to successfully collapse them. Once you have identified the anchor, hold on to it. Let’s
assume that you have the negative anchor of anger.
2. Choose the alternative. Think of a positive trigger to replace your initial negative anchor.
It is simpler to choose the exact opposite to completely cover all aspects of the negative
association. In this case, instead of feeling anger, think of joy. Joy may be represented in
several aspects like humor or receiving love. Picture the alternative that best suits your
emotional needs.
3. Link the alternative. Once you have selected the feeling you wish to have instead,
search for some information inside your mind that closely attaches with the feeling. For
example, when you chose joy, you can think of a happy experience like going to the park
with your mother when you were still a kid. You can bring a more tangible resourceful
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state like bringing a picture of your mom. Whenever you think of the good old days or
look at the picture, feelings of joy will automatically pour in.
4. Collapse the anchor. If you have an external anchor, it will be easier to replace it with an
external resourceful state. Simply let go of the object or sensory trigger that draws out
the negative association. Replace it with the new external anchor that makes you foster
the positive state. If the anchor is internal like a traumatic memory, link it immediately
with the positive experience you have stored in your mind. Each time you think or feel
that the traumatic memory is returning, simply visualize the alternative internal memory
to collapse the negative one.
5. Application. What’s more important is that you be able to automatically refer to the
positive alternative and resourceful state that you have chosen. The alternative must
have more intense and stronger feelings to you compared to the negative pattern so
that you can completely relinquish the associated anchors. Apply the technique in the
real world to know and gauge how much more practice and visualization you need.
6. Step Reframing. Not all behavior is perfect. That is, some of the things you do may have
good intentions but possess negative aspects or parts. Most people do not understand
that there is something bad even in the best motives. There is positive intention in all
behavior but the process of achieving the positive state somehow undergoes
imperfections which come out negatively. The principle of positive intention means that
the limitations upon a certain standard need to be accepted in view of the entire
situation. You cannot blindly approach a situation without recognizing the underlying
factors and the other possible effects a choice may have on the environment and other
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people.
1. Identify the behavior. Although the intention is good and well‐planned, in due time
you will be able to acknowledge the underlying symptoms associated with the
behavior. The negative aspects of the thought, feeling or action will arise and you
have to accept that change is needed. You have to be very specific in describing the
behavior to know the appropriate response.
2. Identify the part that triggers that behavior. Search your mind, emotions and
experiences for the aspect within yourself that causes such behavior. It may be a
mental image that flashes once in a while causing you distress or distorting your
emotions. Try to access the trigger and clearly envision it in your mind so that you
can have a vivid picture of the whole situation and know why it causes such adverse
behavior.
3. Separate the positive intention from the bad effects of the behavior. Create a full
picture and define why the behavior is present and how it came to exist. Think of the
positive effects that the plan initially establishes and the negative links to it.
Maintain a positive attitude and communication throughout the process. Learn the
positive intention, the positive effects and the overall desired positive outcomes of
the behavior. There are underlying factors that have positive intentions like
self‐preservation, protection and integrity. All these try to protect you from falling
into a vulnerable state. However, the behavior associated with it may not be as
positive.
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4. Find alternatives that have the same positive intention without harboring the bad
effects of the behavior. It may be an activity, a form of communication or a thought
that can help you avoid the bad habit or behavior. You should have more than one
alternative. Be creative enough and learn about the positive effects that the
alternate choice has on your behavior and the end result.
5. Check if all parts of you accept the alternative. Think of the alternatives and the
part that seems to be suffering from the original bad behavior. Ask for signs if the
part agrees to the alternative or if you have to go back and find new ones for
approval.
6. Overall approval. If the part accepts the alternative, you should also consider the
acceptable for one part but be resisted by another. Unity and holistic approval are
vital for overall impact and growth.
Change Personal History
What Is It?
Some events and experiences you had in the past may be compelling you to make
decisions that are not truly beneficial for you in the future. You may have lacked information or
had hurt feelings, which created a faulty foundation in your overall behavior and way of
thinking as a human being. In NLP, you can relearn and change your personal history so that
your frame of mind is more inclined to adaptation and success. Most of the attitudes and
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thoughts you have now may have been created long before you mastered your state of
consciousness. You may be merely adapting the characteristics or traits of someone close to
you in the past, which limits your potential now.
Change Personal History or CPH is an effective NLP change technique that allows you to
draw out the negative influences that have haunted you in the past. By identifying these
impacts, you can then face old adversaries and situations with renewed vigor and hope to
succeed in the end. When you talk about the past, you base information from memory in your
unconscious mind. When you talk about the present, you only draw information from what you
see, hear, smell, taste or touch. These are called past and present experiences.
The drawback from experience is that most people feel that they cannot change what
has been done. Memories from past experiences haunt them until the present while present
experiences continue to be wrongly interpreted, as they only relive the same traumatic
situation over and over. What you should know is that by changing your personal history, you
can relive the same situation without having to have the same unfavorable results. This time
you can react differently.
How Does It Work?
1. Recall the experience. Think of the event that caused you distress or trauma. You may
have difficulty picturing it in your mind since most bad experiences are pushed into the
subconscious mind. It may help to get a resource or anchor that helps you create a vivid
image.
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2. Change the meaning. It is impossible to change what happened exactly, but you can
definitely change your response and the meaning you give to the whole experience.
What may be causing you pain is not the environment or the people but your feelings at
the time. Recall how you reacted during the situation then substitute your old feelings
with positive ones.
3. Hold on to the new meaning. If you have an anchor that lets you relive the experience,
find a new anchor that possesses the positive meaning you want to give to the event.
You should now hold on to this anchor or the mental image you have recreated in your
mind. Let your mind automatically access these triggers to eliminate all false beliefs and
attitudes associated with the old one. It may help if you verbalize the new response or
meaning of the situation. Repeat the words to yourself to completely separate the two
meanings and bring forth the new positive one.
4. Let go of the old meaning. Throw away all triggers that set emotional pain and remorse.
Erase mental pictures that remind you of your bad character. Cherish the past, indulge
in the present and prepare for the future. Think of a brighter future and event that will
completely change how you and other people view you as a human being.
Belief Change
A belief is your own understanding about the world. You may believe something that
doesn’t truly exist or vice‐versa. Your beliefs help you in responding to a certain situation.
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These are the very principles that make you decide. Your beliefs are formed from experiences,
observations and generalizations. Your behavior is dictated by your beliefs, and this can be
either beneficial or detrimental. In order to eliminate bad behavior triggered by unhelpful
generalizations, you have to learn how to change your beliefs. Here’s how.
1. Visual Technique 1. Draw a picture in your mind of your belief and another picture
which is the exact opposite of your belief. Clearly visualize and describe the two images
and put them in separate frames. All of these are in your imagination. Disturb the
picture of your belief by intensifying the exact opposite picture and destroying the scene
altogether. Think of the new belief you want to incorporate and picture it. Put the new
belief in the very same spot where your old belief used to be.
2. Visual Technique 2. Draw a picture in your mind of your present negative belief and
another picture of a positive belief. Clearly visualize and describe the two images and
put them in separate frames. Think of the picture with your negative belief then
calibrate. Take one submodality away at a time if the effect is negative until you have a
new belief. You should be able to go through all the submodalities.
3. Future Pacing. Picture yourself in the future where you can apply your new belief.
Evaluate the positive and negative effects of the belief on your behavior. You should be
able to identify and install anchors to access the mood you want to be in under different
circumstances.
4. Time Distortion. Picture yourself in different time frames in the future. Forward yourself
five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty five and fifty years into the future, then look back.
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Reflect on the changes that your new belief has made during these years. Evaluate the
effects and whether you feel that the changes have been beneficial. From this, you can
decide whether or not you wish to go ahead and change your belief.
5. Time Line. Put yourself in the past, present, future, meta‐position in the past and
meta‐position in the future. Envision the effects of your new belief in these five states.
In the meta‐positions, you have to view the situation from a third‐person point of view
to see its relative effects.
Here are the six ground anchors of the belief change cycle.
1. Wanting a new belief
2. Openness to the new belief
3. Existing belief
4. Doubting the existing belief
5. Unbelieving the belief
6. Deep trust in the new belief
V/K Dissociation
V/K dissociation is a very effective method that can cure panic attacks, trauma and
phobias. V/K stands for visual‐kinesthetic which incorporates the sight and touch sensations.
The method is also called the fast phobia cure because it significantly removes all symptoms of
trauma and fear. If you are experiencing stress or phobias, V/K dissociation will help you retell
and re‐experience the event to help you respond differently compared to the original situation.
Instead of having the same traumatic reaction, you can alter the stress response pattern thus
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eliminating all anxiety and panic.
V/K dissociation offers several benefits.
1. It’s fast. After one session lasting approximately one hour, you can already experience
reduction in trauma, anxiety or fear.
2. It’s effective. Over seventy percent of your symptoms are significantly reduced.
3. It’s comfortable. You don’t have to share events in full detail or re‐experience the
traumatizing events. The method is very relaxing using guided imagery or hypnosis.
4. It’s easy. You can achieve results immediately and even incorporate the techniques
yourself.
5. It’s simple. The techniques are direct with no need for other devices. Repeated sessions
are optional as the methods applied are basically done in the same efficient manner.
Here is how V/K dissociation is done step by step.
1. Phobia. Calibrate the patient to present a phobic response. Initially, the phobia should
be triggered to create the experience and provide a mental image of the fear.
2. Visual submodality. Let the patient picture himself in a visual submodality (black and
white, animated or cartoon, etc.) just before the phobic response. The point in this is
that a visual submodality is required in the brain to trigger a phobic response. Usually,
the imagination is initially primed before the phobic response is presented so if the
priming is reduced to a manageable level, the response will be either mild or
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nonexistent.
3. Watch. Give the patient two choices. He can watch himself in black and white or in full
color. By giving your patient the choice, he can effectively perceive an initial phobic
situation in a different light. Depending on the visual submodality that you selected in
step two, you can identify which one triggers the phobic response, thus let the patient
overcome it. Do the same with the kinesthetic submodality.
4. Reverse. When you have identified the submodalities, forward to the end of the
experience which your patient has imagined. Let the full experience run backwards
adding the trigger submodalities. In this way, your patient will have overcome his
phobias. The point is that you can’t really get scared of something which already
occurred, you have overcome or you know will happen.
Calibration
Calibration is a communication skill which uses intuition. Without other people having
to tell you, you develop a feeling of their intentions, beliefs and understanding. Knowing this
will enable you to react appropriately to the situation. It is highly effective when relating with
other people and deciding on what to do during a critical moment.
For example, if a friend of yours is having a bad day, you don’t have to directly hear
from him his frustrated feelings. Through the words he says, his manner of speaking, his body
language, his facial expression and his manner of interacting with you, he will show his
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frustration. It only means that unconsciously, you are still reacting to your surroundings. You
are involved in everything that happens around you which makes you human in the process.
There are goals to be met when engaging in conversation. You are either receiving
information or influencing another to develop an understanding of your thoughts and emotions.
Whatever you say or do affects those around you and you are also greatly affected by other
people. You are an integral part of a definitive whole which is the world. Whether you know it
or not, you are observing everything that goes on around you and reacting in your own creative
way to contribute to the environment. You will certainly receive the same response from the
communication you’re involved in.
Calibration is also synonymous with measurement. You are simply measuring another
person’s behavior and thoughts. You have to develop some form of mind‐reading so that you
can effectively communicate with the person. Without proper calibration, it is almost
impossible to have quality communication. There has to be some form of understanding and
compatibility between the persons involved and only by calibrating can you achieve this.
You should calibrate a person’s state of mind in different time frames. This means that
calibration can effectively tell how a person feels or what a person thinks at the time but it
doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how the person feels or thinks constantly. Behavior and state of
mind are ever‐changing and you should learn how to adapt and calibrate accordingly to garner
a positive response. If you don’t calibrate well, you will only be assuming and assumptions have
the possibility of being wrong.
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You can develop your visual calibrating skills by observing facial expressions, body
language and lips. Watch how emotions are triggered by language and nonverbal cues. Be good
with your eyes and try to see things without using sound. Using your eyes in acquiring objective
data will intensify the sense of sight and will make you a much more effective intuitive
communicator. Remember that the most felt and meant expressions are those which are
unspoken. You have to rely on what you see rather than on what you hear to be very effective
in communication. This will help you seize opportunities and give people the impression that
you are more sensitive than the average person.
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6 Chapter Six
DOES NLP WORK, AND HOW?
Does NLP Work?
Yes. NLP has been proven effective in a variety of fields from business to sports to
culture understanding. It has been used widely by successful individuals who have learned to
come out of their shell. Personal change and development are highly linked with your
knowledge and perception of yourself, others and the world. You can have one session of NLP
and acquire years of success. NLP works and will continue to work with its constant innovations.
You can effectively recreate your memories, eliminate negative feelings and improve
your way of communicating with NLP. Your senses are enhanced in a way that your brain is
empowering all the things you do, the thoughts in your mind and your personal feelings. You
can perform NLP on your own although it is recommended that you seek the help of an expert
in the beginning or do it along with other therapies to have therapeutic effects in the long term.
NLP works fast, effectively and in the long term. You will be amazed as to how NLP can
turn your life around by simply harnessing and bringing out the good qualities that are already
inside of you. You only need to realize your potential to make the most out of yourself and your
experiences. With NLP, you’ll find yourself a stronger individual who knows how to deal with
the world with great pride and influence.
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How Does NLP Work?
NLP works by assimilating your subjective experiences. Since the time you started
remembering events in your life, your brain has been continuously storing information. This
information then becomes memories and recalled experiences that are transformed into your
own personal beliefs and perception of the world. Depending on how you reacted to the past
experience, your beliefs and perception will either be positive or negative. The positive ones
can stay as long as you want to reinforce your way of knowing yourself and responding to
others. However, the negative ones also affect your behavior and thoughts and you have to
devise a way to get rid of them.
NLP helps you achieve this by directly changing your false or negative understanding
based on past experiences. By linking your senses and brain, you can effectively let go of
traumatic experiences, hard feelings and vague thoughts that have been influencing your
actions for so long. The hindrances to your personal development will be eliminated, paving the
way to success.
The entire process relies heavily on you. You have to be able to identify your own
strengths and weaknesses and know the areas that cause you to experience pain or fear.
Negative behaviors are often denied, which is why you have to be mentally and emotionally
prepared to draw them out. NLP helps you unravel unconscious beliefs and strengthen your
positive views in life and eliminate the negative ones that block growth.
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Using NLP on Yourself
You can apply NLP on your own self. Since you’re aiming for personal growth and
success, there might be more meaning if you do the programming by yourself. You will be more
sensitive to the needs of your senses, you can listen more to the changes that your mind wants
you to undergo and you don’t have to go through much to recall memory or access past
experiences.
Several methods like trance, self‐hypnosis, meditation, etc. are used to create a relaxed
mental state where you can view yourself from a different point of view. Your subjective
experience will then be transformed into a more objective scenario so you can accurately
assess which points you need to fix and replace. Here are some quick tips on using NLP on
yourself.
1. Choose a problem. You have to clearly define which problem you want to improve. Let’s
say you wish to have more discipline. Specify discipline in terms of the time you wake up,
sticking to your diet, etc. so that you will have a vivid scenario.
2. Visualize. Draw pictures in your mind defining the problem you chose. Allow your mind
to retrieve information if ever you did something relevant to the problem. You can
review the scene all over again from different points of view. Be creative and include the
necessary details that best describe the problem.
3. Review. When you have successfully drawn the picture, stick to that thought whenever
you want. Repeat the scenario over and over at one point and another to make sure
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that you recognize all the details. When you do something that is close to the scenario,
review the thought and compare it with the actual situation.
4. Relive. Tell yourself that you have successfully done in reality what you were
assimilating in your mind. Encourage yourself that you can do it all over again just like
reviewing the picture over and over. Do the exercise daily for at least two weeks. In due
time, you will realize the factors wherein your mind learns and performs better.
Here are some benefits of using NLP on yourself.
1. Change. You can renew or replace old beliefs and behaviors that have negative effects
on your overall character. This way you can install new ones that will make you a
stronger individual.
2. Improve. You will realize your potential, strengthen weak areas and improve other
aspects of your life. You will be able to see the world in a new light, thus boosting your
confidence and performance.
3. Relate. When you see yourself from a new point of view, you become more objective
when relating to your environment and the people around you. You become a better
communicator.
4. Control. You get to know yourself better and be aware of your current emotional and
mental states. You will have control in accessing both conscious and subconscious states
according to the demands of the present situation.
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Using NLP in Business
NLP has been proven as highly effective in many, if not all aspects of business. Since NLP
improves the way you understand yourself, your environment and those around you, it will
definitely have an impact in the fast‐paced and often ruthless workplace. You will develop the
right skills, attitudes and mindset that aim for nothing less than competence and productivity.
You will also be able to relate to and do business with other individuals the best way you can,
making the right decisions and sound judgment.
Nothing is permanent in the marketplace which is why you constantly have to adjust
and prepare yourself to change. With the techniques and methods which NLP is known for, you
will be able to solve a variety of business predicaments ranging from predicting simple revenues
to managing time‐bound assets. Business and management go hand‐in‐hand so by knowing
yourself first, you also learn your business. Just as you operate and respond emotionally based
on your experience and beliefs, you will automatically handle business the same way you
programmed your brain.
Here are some uses of NLP in business.
1. Accountants. You will be efficient in figures, calculating assets and potential losses and
managing overall budget and overhead.
2. Customer Service. By relating to other people well, you are more sensitive in providing
for their needs. Customer satisfaction is your utmost concern for repeat transactions.
3. Directors. Your leadership and management skills will be enhanced. Knowing your
behavior also gives you a new view of yourself so that you won’t seem manipulative and
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self‐centered.
4. Managers. You take control of the situation, your personnel and the product or service.
You make sure that you stay ahead of the market through innovation and reputation.
5. Engineers. Creativity is one of your best assets and you constantly aim for development,
growth and originality. You can create tangible products or ideas with your imagination.
Here are some benefits of NLP in business.
1. Dynamic Teams. Since you care about your colleagues and subordinates, you can create
a united atmosphere focusing on productivity and performance. Each member can
harness leadership without having to collide with other members. Every person
possesses traits and skills that benefit the entire business. No man becomes a liability in
the process.
2. Customer Satisfaction. Reputation, ability to deliver and trust are the foundation of
good business transactions. When you understand the needs of your customers, you can
effectively cater to their demands; thus, they will only look to you for future endeavors
and investments.
3. Adaptive to Change. If each person in the business knows his potential and strengths, he
will be more inclined to develop. Change is inevitable in business but what’s more
important is that you are always prepared for new challenges.
4. Cooperation. There is respect from the top to the bottom levels of the business. Each
member is responsible for the response of the next. This way, there are fewer feuds and
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personal conflicts.
5. Model. Since models serve as the basis of behavior and ways of thinking, everyone in
the business will possess good traits in and out of the workplace.
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SUMMARY
In summary, NLP is a process that aims for personal development. It is a system that
makes use of your subjective experiences, beliefs, perceptions and ways of communication.
Since you have been creating your own outlook on yourself and the world, there still are some
principles that need to be changed in order to ensure your positive progress. Some of your
beliefs may seem right in your own understanding but are truly hindrances to success. Changing
your false perception and shifting it into a more positive view will improve your behavior and
way of responding to other people.
NLP uses a variety of approaches and techniques that allow you to see yourself in a
different way. Usually, NLP makes use of your mind as a canvass for your own “painting” or
personal understanding. You can place old and negative ones on it to be erased while allowing
yourself to picture new and more encouraging thoughts and emotions. Time visualization is also
a valuable tool in NLP as you picture yourself in the future with your new behavior and
observing how it positively or adversely affects your life.
Through modeling and creating your very own representations to follow, you will be
able to boost good behavior and thoughts while reducing or completely eliminating bad ones.
Once you have acquired the skills and techniques to effectively become a better and more
aware individual, you will be able to influence others in the same way, thus making your
environment conducive to further growth and development.
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NLP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why was the system named Neuro‐linguistic Programming?
The term “neuro” refers to the brain, which controls behavior and actions and stores
memory and experiences. “Linguistic” comes from language, so “neuro‐linguistic” basically is
how language affects the brain. Words, non‐verbal cues and symbols can trigger your own
response to the world. This mechanism is analogous to a computer program, hence the name
“Neuro‐linguistic Programming”. The founders of the system were also proficient in computer
programming and linguistics.
2. Why use NLP?
There are no universal guidelines to follow when understanding your experience. Your
mind has stored both negative and positive memories, which provoke various behaviors in
response to all kinds of experiences. The negative memories adversely affect your perception,
which is why you have to bring them to awareness to be transformed. NLP uses objectivity and
subjectivity, which means it helps you determine the best way to act and think.
3. Can NLP make me more creative?
Yes. You have the freedom to put yourself in any situation you wish to help you draw
out your hidden characteristics on the subconscious level. You can include the strategies and
modify yourself to become a stronger individual. NLP basically is a creative tool that lets you
explore everything inside of you. Since you’re using your mind, the possibilities are endless.
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4. How long does it take before you notice the effects of NLP?
The effects of NLP can be noticed as immediately as after one session. It really depends
on the issues at hand, your cooperation and your determination to recover. You have to be able
to mentally and emotionally prepare yourself so that sessions will be more meaningful. There is
no pre‐ordained timetable that expects you to achieve a certain level at some point in time,
because all perceptions and issues are different. You may have the same problem as another
individual but with a different subjective view. These factors affect the effects and length of
treatment.
5. Is NLP only for certain individuals?
No. NLP has been used for several years by all kinds of people. It has been used to
restore relationships, improve work performance, reduce language barriers and boost
self‐confidence. The applications of NLP have been increasing in number throughout the years.
Business owners use it to guarantee productivity and competence. Teachers use NLP to harness
their students’ potential and apply the best learning methods. Parents incorporate it in the
home to better understand the needs of each member.
6. How can NLP make me a good leader?
The strategies and models of NLP have everything you need to be an effective leader. As
a leader, you have to be able to understand the language of your subordinates. You can achieve
this by incorporating the methods that NLP is known for. Calibrate the needs and capabilities of
your members, be creative, initiate useful activities, maintain rapport with good
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communication skills and be calm in critical situations by fostering a positive attitude.
7. How can you increase your knowledge of NLP?
NLP is continuously growing and developing. You can learn more about the basic
processes and keep updated on the trends by various means. Read books on NLP; there are
several good ones focusing on particular areas such as education, relationship help and
personal development. The Internet is also rich with information and updates. You can find an
NLP Practitioner or Trainer to experience the system first‐hand. There are also seminars and
training sessions if you want to be fully involved or become a professional.
8. What are the NLP Practitioner standards?
A minimum of 160 hours is the time standard for NLP Practitioners. It is also strictly
advised that when incorporating NLP, you should be aware of the process since NLP is
principally concerned with process. Be careful about methods and persons that say they
practice NLP but highly focus on content.
9. Can NLP and hypnosis work together?
Yes. NLP and hypnosis together provide a definite behavioral change by creating a
mental state conducive to creating good traits while removing bad ones. The two modalities
interact and work well with each other. NLP clears the mind, which makes hypnosis more
effective.
10. If a bad behavior is removed in NLP, is it permanent?
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No. Everything you store in your mind is still based on subjective experience, which is
how you responded to the situation. If a similar experience happens again, you can either store
it again in a way that triggers bad behavior or react in a more positive manner.
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NLP TRENDS
1. NLP and bodybuilding
Recently, bodybuilders and other gym enthusiasts have been turning to NLP after
discovering that mental and sensory sensitivity enhanced their physical performance. Since
exercising is a form of relaxing and relieving stress, adding NLP has particularly helped in
removing chronic and recurrent mental stressors. Through visualization, you can picture
yourself in the best shape of your life. Working out regularly conditions your mind and body
and brings you one step closer to realizing your strength and fitness goals. A common problem
encountered by most individuals going to the gym is consistency. They either get too lazy to
work out or think that they’re not making very much progress, which makes them abandon
their diets and abruptly cease to exercise. NLP keeps you on track by allowing you to mentally
see your development.
2. NLP stops addictions
Since NLP is known to weed out bad behaviors and change them, it has also been
utilized to stop chronic bad habits like smoking, gambling and excessive alcohol intake. NLP can
be incorporated into any rehabilitation program since the mind plays a huge role in addiction
development. People with addictions will be able to see themselves in a whole new perspective,
realizing the consequences of their habits. With the use of time lines, they can put themselves
in the future with the same old bad habit which significantly puts their health at risk or with a
healthy new one which helps them live life to the fullest. They also need to accept the addiction
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so they can participate fully in the mental process.
3. Gain recognition with NLP
NLP boosts your communication skills to a whole new level. It helps you find the
appropriate response to critical situations, personal struggles and the way you negotiate with
colleagues and friends. You will never again allow yourself to settle for mediocrity, because by
making choices in your mind, you can widen the options in your life too. Mind‐reading or
calibration is an effective technique that allows you to recognize certain signals which may
mean more than what your boss or mother is actually telling you. You can learn the right
approach and how to modify your response on different occasions. This way you can get the
promotion by understanding nonverbal language. By doing this you effectively relay the
message that you’re assertive and know what you want inside and outside the office.
4. Make money with NLP
A lot of people pay hard‐earned money for entertainment and relaxation. Once you
learn the skill of practicing NLP on yourself, you can effectively communicate with other people
and help them draw out the negative behaviors that have been troubling them for so long. It
does not mean that you should become an unlicensed NLP practitioner. You can create blogs, a
website, a telephone service or one‐on‐one sessions wherein you can interact and talk to the
person in need. It’s up to you how you charge them for your time. Be creative and resourceful,
since you’re offering a service. It may be helpful to gauge your ability to assimilate mental
situations first with your family and friends before you interact with unknown clients.
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CONCLUSION
NLP is all about change. You have a problem that blocks your path to success which is
why you’re considering NLP to help you remove it. The problem has its roots in the way you
formerly reacted to a bad situation, causing a negative behavior to develop. Your goal is to
eradicate the bad behavior that is stressing you and change the way you respond to the world.
When you change your bad behavior, it is very likely that you will also change your response to
a positive one.
NLP is a system but its effects depend on the way you embrace the situation or face
your old problems. It does not merely tell you what to do to change the behavior but you have
to re‐experience and relive some situations to recreate your emotions and frame of mind. Once
you have achieved the right state that helps you recognize your weak points, you will be able to
open up to the possibility of change and amplify your strengths as well.
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NLP does not necessarily require you to follow its methods and models. You also have to
learn how to make your own representation of yourself, other people and the world. Upon
learning this, you can maximize your potential as you acquire better communication skills,
become more sensitive to others, improve your self‐image, establish meaningful relationships
and enhance your determination and willingness to succeed in all aspects of life.
All the best!
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