NLP Possibilities

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Neuro-Linguistic Programming is the study of human excellence, specifically how that excellence is achieved. One of its premises is that all experience, with particular attention to human excellence, has a structure which can be discovered and then called upon by an individual whenever it is desirable to do so. 

The neuro part of NLP refers to the sensory data that gives rise to those internal representations (often called submodalities) that help structure experience. For instance, an experience may be represented internally by a person with attention to its vividness, color, volume, texture, shape, temperature, location, movement, etc. The structure of unhappiness in one individual may be represented as dim, dark, silent, bulky, oppressively hot clouds hanging low to the ground with no movement. The structure of happiness for the same person might be that of a vividly bright, blue, expansive sky spreading far and wide, a cool background for chirping birds flying in all kinds of swirls and dips. 

The linguistic aspect of NLP refers to the symbols (language) that we use to represent, define and classify actual experiences. The body's neurology responds to both language and internal representations as though they were real. So, for example, an internal representation or verbal description of a person's performing well at a task in the future is responded to by the body system as though that future situation were real right now. Such "future pacing," as it is called, is especially useful when preparing for future events. The programming dimension of NLP refers to the changes we can make in the way we internally represent and speak about habitual behaviors that no longer serve us. Through special techniques, we can substitute new verbal and sensory structures for internal representations of no longer useful behaviors, thereby deeply changing our experience. We can, for instance, learn what our structure for happiness is and then substitute it for our structure for unhappiness or do the same with our structure for success and substitute it for our structure for failure or mediocrity. 

NOTE: NLP is NOT psychotherapy, though some psychotherapists use it. Psychotherapy focuses most often on the past, on problems, on insight, and on abreaction (release of repressed emotion). NLP is much more solution- and future-oriented. Moreover, while insight may be a by-product, the client does not have to understand the problem or the solution. What is important in NLP is changing the structure, the submodalities or sensory data, of how people think and behave, especially in particular situations. 

The NLP techniques listed here are only a sampling of the many processes created by practitioners of NLP. For others, consult the various books listed in the bibliography section. The processes listed below, however, are some of the most basic ones used in both personal and business venues. Please contact Joe at 301-526-2043 should you want more information about NLP in general or any of the techniques.