Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Neuro Linguistic Programming, (NLP )was created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970’s. NLP is a talking therapy that lives under the branch of psychology known as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Simply put, this area of psychology treats the individual from the viewpoint that self-limiting behaviours are as a result of incorrect or unresourceful thinking; so if we change the thinking we can change behaviour.
Over the years NLP has had many descriptions such as the user manual for your mind. The term NLP is made up of the following parts:
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Neuro
Being part of the brain and nervous system. We take in data from our environment via our senses. Our nervous system channels this mass of information and then decodes it into tiny electrical currents that fly sizzle around in our brains through electrical circuitry called neurons. Our thoughts are made up of millions of these tiny currents.
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Linguistic
Research has shown that our thoughts are predicated by the type of language that we use. Research has also shown that there is a strong link between how we think and how we behave. So piecing this together we can determine that our language (what we say ourselves and how we say it) determines out thoughts and this in turn affects how we act and behave in the world.
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Programming
Our brains are the hardware, the computer if you like made up of billions of neurons that are wired together in a particular fashion. This wiring channels our thinking into patterns of thoughts. Extending the computer metaphor, our thoughts are then our programmes. We continually programme ourselves every day with our words, our thoughts and feelings. Some of our patterns of thinking are very useful, while other patterns are not so.
So from this definition we can see that our thinking can either be an asset or a liability. NLP is an effective tool for making change happen in people’s lives and the change comes about through helping people to think differently about things and to help them think in different ways.
What Can NLP Be Used For?
NLP is primarily used for behavioural change. Examples of it’s use in self improvement are
- Breaking habits such as smoking, nail biting, overeating
- Creating new habits such as eating correctly, exercising, communicating clearly
- Improving confidence, motivation, self esteem
- Stress and Anxiety
- Overcoming emotional difficulties such as depression, guilt, overwhelmedness, hopelessness, worthlessness
- Pain Management
- Addictions
- Phobias
- Weight Loss
- M.E./ Fibromyalgia
While NLP is an excellent tool at helping people overcome “negative” or self limiting thoughts, feeling and behaviours, NLP is primarily used by New Thought Leader as a means of helping people achieve excellence in their chosen fields.
NLP Can Help You Become
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Better Communicators
by using the appropriate language with certain personality types we are able to influence people more effectively
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More Motivated
personality motivation is a key aspect of NLP, everybody is motivated differently. NLP identifies over 50 different personality traits that effect a persons motivation
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Better Presenters
knowing how to engage with people
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Better Leaders Or Managers
improve leadership by understanding how to motivate our people more effectively
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More Assertive
by learning the appropriate language and posturing we can demonstrate assertive behaviour
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More Confident
by removing self doubt and building more trust in our abilities
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Better Partners
by focusing on self awareness using NLP individuals can improve personal relationships
Does NLP Always Work?
As with any therapy, nothing is ever proven to work 100%. NLP is however in our view is more effective at helping create and develop new behaviours and skills. There can be a great variance in results and this depends on both the willingness of the client to change and the level of skill of the practitioner. A worrying trend is that there are a large number of NLP trainers churning out practitioners by the hundreds after only a weekends worth of exposure to NLP.
What is worrying still is that these well intentioned practitioners believe that they are qualified to work with the general public with only a mediocre level of skill. The good news here is that the level of damage that an inexperienced NLP practitioner will cause is minimal as they will bring about minimal changes in their clients. Of course the damage they do is not only to their own reputation but to that of NLP and the other highly qualified and skilled practitioners.
There are many myths surrounding NLP. click here to read more.
Are You Curious To Learn More?
New Thought Leader provides specialised NLP training for groups or individuals to meet your specific goals. Click here to contact us for more detailed information.
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Tags: behavioural, behavioural change, motivated, neuro linguistic programming, nlp