 It’s surprising in the last few years how NLP has gone from a very ‘unknown’ change technique, to being commonly recognised in the ‘self help’ circles and is now even a common term within the community. Today I’d like to demystify NLP and give you a quick and simple overview.
What is NLP?
NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming and is a set of tools and techniques to assist people to release negative emotions and make permanent changes almost instantly. It works on the premise that each thought, decision or choice we take makes a small path in our brain with a neuro transmitter. When these thoughts are common we begin to make that path a highway and, as we think about this issue more and more, we neurologically eliminate all other choices from our consciousness. Hence a client is left feeling like they have no options and are stuck in their familiar situation. NLP is simply a collection of tools used to create new alternatives for clients; it is proven as one of the best methods known for creating change.
There are many different forms of NLP from a belief change to a swish pattern. To learn more about the specific techniques of NLP try a book titled ‘Introduction to NLP’.
How was NLP Created?
Two men, Richard Bandler and John Grinder, began observing master facilitators of change. What they discovered were numerous techniques that moved clients instantly towards the desired outcome without months and months of therapy. After combining their research they developed these ‘fast change’ techniques into actual models and gave them the overall title of NLP.
 Presuppositions of NLP
Within NLP there are several presuppositions, without which NLP will be close to ineffective. Both the client and the practitioner must maintain the following presuppositions:
We each have all the resources required within us – This assumption ensures that each of us has a belief that we are capable of creating any change we choose.
Behind every behaviour is a positive intention – To know a positive intention has driven a behaviour allows a new consideration into our awareness.
 People are not their behaviours – It is possible to disagree with a behaviour, however it is another entirely to disagree with who someone is. When we separate behaviours from people, we are essentially giving the individual another opportunity to shine and not judging them on behaviours only.
The meaning of communication is the response you get – However we do or don’t communicate, we will always receive a response. This is your result, and if you don’t like it, generally you can change the way you communicate, and hence effect the result you will get.
If you aren’t getting the desired results, do something different - There is no such thing as failure, only feedback. Failure is giving up, feedback is everything that comes before that point.
Behavioural flexibility will always prevail – The person with the most behavioural flexibility will inevitably be more comfortable in more situations and be able to better manage more challenges more effectively.
The map is not the territory – We can only ever view the world through our own eyes, and our own filters of perception, this is the only way in which we can make the world make sense. Our map of the world is not the actual world, merely a representation of it that we have created.
If something has been done, anyone can do it – Your potential is unlimited, your only boundaries are those in your own mind. If you believe it’s possible it becomes so!
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