What’s all this hype about NLP?
In a phrase, it can changes lives.
In the most profound way too. Let me tell you why, but first, some basic details about what this is.
Warning! No scientific evidence!
At least none that I could find.
This claim of mine, that it can change lives, is based only on stories that I have heard and my own experiences with this process.
So, I don’t blame you for shaking your head and scrolling to a blog post that will resonate better with you.
However, if you do stick around, I think that you will see the very basic principle around this process and you could find yourself at least seeing the possibilities for change.
Neuro Linguistic Programming in a nutshell
N = Neuro = how we process the world through our senses;
L = Linguistic = how we explain or communicate our experiences and give those experiences meaning;
P = Programming = simply put, our habits; the sequence of actions we take on a daily basis; or the motivation to achieve our goals
How does it work?
I think that we would all agree that on occasions, our moods can be completely unhelpful to us or a situation looming.
I am reminded of so many times when all I needed to do was take a step back and look at myself. Instead, I lashed out to fuel a bad situation, only serving to make it worse.
I myself am not an unresourceful person — I simply only have times when unresourceful moods crop up.
This is exactly when the NLP process is used.
It’s about changing states — changing your mood.
You obviously need to start recognising your unhelpful moods.
For me, I am very aware when I am procrastinating, which in fact is the second state for me because it was the initial state of fear that put me into the downward spiral of “procrastination”
When you have made yourself aware of these “bad moods” recognise the things you are looking at, the things you are listening to and what you are doing?
Be aware that those things might be keeping you in the lower mood, and then ask yourself:
“What mood would be much more helpful to me right now?”
I use this technique when I am finding my courage.
I always seem to be finding it through consistent action and self-belief. At the same time, I am in communities that help me and support my beliefs and core values. I listen to good news stories, and my action fuels my onward and upward trajectory.
How do you speak to yourself?
I am a natural introvert. I must say that I am not held back by this characteristic of my personality, in fact, I believe that it is where my power lies.
I mention my introversion because I tend to be in my mind very often. This can be good or bad, depending on the language I am using with myself.
Having learned the quiet nuances of NLP, I speak to myself with far more kindness. I speak to myself as I would to my best friend. I do give myself some very sound and stern advice on occasion, but it is always from a place of love.
Identity statements are an excellent way to train your mind into new habits and the language we use:
“I’m a leader”
“I’m confident”
“I’m loved”
“I’m worthy”
“I’m all that I need”
Try out a few powerful identity statements on yourself. Put them on post-it note to remind yourself of your awesomeness, your power and your magnificence.
Remember, it is only your mood that sets you back.
Our habits
There is an awesome quote by Margaret Thatcher:
How right she is!
It’s the habit loop that creates our daily processes.
What you do first thing in the morning. What you do when you jump in your car to drive to work. What you do the first thing you arrive home.
How often have you driven to work, and when you arrive, you are not really sure how you got there? It’s a process in your habit loop, so it becomes second nature.
Often you just drive with your mind in neutral.
To change our bad habits we need to recognise the trigger. These triggers might be people, things or events.
Then we need to see what “reward” we are receiving from that bad habit.
The key is in changing our routine around that bad habit. Initially, it will feel very uncomfortable, but like the old habit you are going to break with this process, it will eventually start to feel very normal and become easier.
As we train our bodies, we can too train our minds and our habits.
When I start a swimming regime or a walking pattern or change it up to a longer distance, it always feels very uncomfortable.
As you know, though, as we practise, we become better at that activity. It is about a sequence of actions that we take towards our goals.
It is no different from how we see the world around us, how we speak to ourselves, and how we are aware of the moods that do not serve us.
So, using the simple practices of NLP can change our lives. We only have to be mindful of our states and when we need to change them towards our greater good.
Originally published at https://perpetualpilgrim1006.com on March 29, 2021.
