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What is Neuro-Linguistic
Programming (NLP)
Although many definitions
exist for NLP, it is primarily an innovative approach to understanding and
directing human experience, communications (both internal and external), and behavior. NLP is a
leading edge technology for accelerated human change. With NLP, you will
develop an understanding of the relationship between mind, body, emotions,
and actions.
Richard Bandler, co-creator
of NLP, once said that
"NLP is an
attitude and a methodology that leaves behind a trail of techniques."
Let's break down the name
for further clarification:
Neuro – Refers to
our nervous system through which experience is received and
processed through the five senses (see, hear, feel, taste, and smell).
-
Linguistic –
Verbal (words and phrases) and nonverbal (postures, gestures,
breathing patterns) communication systems through
which neural representations are coded, ordered and given meaning.
NLP does not propose what you should do but
how you can do what you want
to do. NLP allows you to understand yourself and your fellow humans
better, thus increasing your ability to get along with a wide variety of
people.
Who Created NLP
About 30 years ago, two
slightly deranged geniuses (John Grinder and Richard Bandler)
decided to observe and model the results of a therapist that was
getting wildly successful results named, Fritz Pearls, the creator of
Gestalt Therapy.
Fritz soon became one of
many communicators and therapists modeled by John and Richard. Among the
individuals
they studied included the world's foremost medical hypnotherapist, Dr. Milton H.
Erickson (master of abstract/vague language), family therapist Virginia Satir
(master of specificity in language), founder of Provocative Therapy, Frank Farrelly,
Moshe Feldenkrais, creator of the Feldenkrais method for body awareness,
and sales superstar, Ben Feldman. Famous anthropologist, Gregory Bateson
also influenced much of NLP, and served as a guide for John's and Richard's
journey.
This process of modeling was
quite different from what anyone else out there was doing. Instead of
asking "why" or "why not," they focused on "how." And through
systematically removing every verbal and nonverbal behavior that was
idiosyncratic to the individual being modeled, they were left with a
relatively clean model that would get results.
This is a key distinction,
because the people who were being modeled were trying to teach others to
do what they thought they were doing, but they could only teach what
they themselves were consciously aware of. This is where Richard and
John's new field was making headway. They had a systematic process to
discover the unconscious patterns of an individual and make it
replicable.
As Bandler & Grinder studied more and more successful people in
different fields they noticed similar patterns of behavior. This powerful
discovery led them to develop some of the most effective models of
human communication and personal excellence. These models have been
proven effective in almost all areas of human achievement.
Over the years, many other people have contributed to the growth and
development of the field, known as NLP.
Today, NLP is widely used in almost all human endeavors including
businesses, sports, therapy, health care, education & learning skills and
of course personal development.
NLP empowers individuals with the ability to change or eliminate
un-resourceful behaviors. It helps one to choose the mental, emotional and
physical states of well being needed to achieve desired goals.
Some building blocks of
NLP... (a.k.a. the Presuppositions of NLP)
The
presuppositions of NLP are simply beliefs or viewpoints held in
mind by the practitioner as they work work with an individual.
They are neither true or false. Simply useful.
-
The map is not the
territory. The menu is not the meal.
-
Every behavior has a
positive intention.
-
Experience has
structure.
-
Every behavior has value
in some context.
-
No one is wrong or
broken. People work perfectly to accomplish what they are currently
accomplishing.
-
People already have all
the resources they need in order to effect a change.
-
There is no such thing
as failure. There is only feedback.
-
The meaning of your
communication is the response you get.
-
In any system, the
element with the most flexibility exerts the most influence.
-
Mind and body are parts
of the same system.
-
People communicate on
both conscious and unconscious levels.
-
You cannot not respond.
What
are others saying about NLP
"NLP cannot be dismissed as
just another hustle. Its theoretical underpinnings represent an
ambitious attempt to codify and synthesize the insights of
linguistics, body language, and the study of communication systems."
Psychology Today
"(NLP)
does offer the potential for making changes without the usual agony
that accompanies these phenomena. . . Thus it affords the
opportunity to gain flexibility, creativity, and greater freedom of
action than most of us now know..."
Training and Development Journal
". . . real estate brokers
and salespeople use Neuro-Linguistics to enhance their communication
skills and provide them with more choices when working in a
difficult situation. . . it shows how we make sense of the world
around us and communicate."
Real Estate Today
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