Here is a transcript of an interview on Neuro-Linguistic Programming. The topics covered include what NLP is, some examples to understand its application and details about who would benefit the most from learning NLP.
Introduction to NLP
Hello Mamta.
Hello Amit.
Mamta, I have heard that NLP can help me transform my life. Can you tell me something about NLP?
Sure Amit. There is no single definition of NLP. NLP has been defined in different ways. Some call it practical psychology; many define it as the study of excellence, while some practitioners say it is a manual for the mind.
I am even more confused now!
Understanding Neuro Linguistic Programming
Let me make it simpler for you. N in NLP stands for Neuro, which means our Nervous system or the neurological processes which create our experience of the world with the help of our five senses. L in NLP stands for linguistics or language. Language here doesn’t mean English, Hindi, French or German, but any language we use to communicate with others or ourselves. For example, body language, tone, images and even silence. So let’s say, in order to remember GOD, I see God’s image in my mind. This image is also an example of a language. Not just this, but we also use language to assign meaning to our experiences.
P in NLP refers to Programming, which is the resultant behaviour of the connection between language and neurons. Putting it simply, programming refers to the empowering and disempowering habits, behaviour patterns and strategies that we generally follow instinctively and unconsciously.
Putting the three together, NLP helps you uncover patterns you follow and those others follow. Uncovering these patterns can help you to change the ones that are problematic and replicate the ones that are patterns of excellence, which have helped you or others achieve success in the past. As you start studying and uncovering the patterns followed by geniuses or successful people, you begin to understand how they do what they do that makes them a genius or a success. Once you know how they do what they do, well… you can start modelling them, i.e. start doing the same to get the results they are getting.
Neuro Linguistic Programming describes the fundamental dynamics between the mind (Neuro) and language (Linguistic) and how their interplay affects our body and behaviour (Programming).
In other words, NLP can be used by people from any walk of life at any age to identify and apply patterns of excellence to achieve success.
I can understand to some extent, but can you explain with an example?
Understanding NLP with the help of Example
Imagine going to a restaurant in a foreign country, and you think you ordered soup, but when the food shows up, it turns out to be a salad. Most of us have this kind of relationship with our minds. You might think you are “ordering” more money, great relationships and more peace, but in a language your mind doesn’t understand, and something else keeps showing up.
That sounds familiar!
Now if you can learn how to communicate what you want properly, you can get what you want, can’t you?
I think so.
In fact, go ahead and think of some behaviour you could change, what would it be?
- Would you like to remain confident during presentations at work?
- Would you like to quit procrastinating and start doing what you decided to do a month ago?
- Would you like to stop eating that evening junk snack?
You want to, you even try, but you can’t. Regardless of the habit or behaviour, remember that your mind does what it does only because it thinks that’s what you want. So, you say you want to be confident or active or healthy, but your mind interprets it differently, keeping you away from the desired result.
Neuro Linguistic Programming is like a user’s manual for your mind. Taking the NLP training is like learning the language of your mind so that you can communicate with your mind fluently in that language.
That is what NLP is.
Who created NLP?
Richard Bandler and John Grinder created NLP in the United States in the 1970s after they studied the work done by Fritz Perls (the creator of gestalt therapy), Virginia Satir (internationally renowned family therapist) and Milton Erickson (founder of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis). Over the years, Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioners have developed some very powerful tools and skills for communication and change in a wide range of professional areas, such as counselling, psychotherapy, education, health, creativity, law, management, sales, leadership and parenting.
How can NLP help people in these different fields?
If you are a physical or mental health professional we invite you to join us for the “Cognitive Hypnotic Psychotherapy™” workshop. This is probably the most comprehensive program that you will come across. It is an internationally accredited Multi-certification program based on an eclectic approach that integrates the principles and techniques from cognitive, behavioural, psychodynamic and humanistic approaches seamlessly.
If you are a coach or a trainer you would really love the Cognitive Hypnotic Coaching™ Program. Alternatively, if you are an individual who would like to learn NLP for self-development & performance improvement, you could join us for a course titled “Mind YourSelf with Hypnosis & NLP”.
If you are in sales, advertising, mass communication and would like to get a deeper understanding of application of NLP Language patterns for persuasion as a part of day to day conversations, you must enroll for the “Online course on Conversational Hypnosis”
If you are from an educational institute, we have a student development program & a teacher’s development program based on NLP, Hypnosis & related fields.
And if you are representing a corporate, we have an array of corporate training programs based on integration of NLP & Hypnosis which are further customised based on the objectives provided to us.
Last, but not the least, thing that you must remember is that we provide on-going support for all our courses in one form or the other.
Thank you, Mamta. This is so exciting! How can I begin?
It’s simple. All you have to do is click HERE, fill the contact us form.