WHAT IS NLP?

“If we can’t open our mind, then keep our mouth shut.” Author Unknown

NLP is short form for Neuro-linguistics Programming.

Neuro refers to the thinking and nervous system. Your experiences of events are processed through the five senses – visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory and gustatory. Your behavior is based on your neurological processes of sight, hearing, feeling, smell and taste. You experience things through your five senses and then act on it. Your neurology covers both the visible and the invisible (thought).

Linguistic refers to words, the way you use them and how they influence you and other people. It is the language and other non-verbal communication systems through which your perceptions are coded and given meaning.

Programming refers to the way you organize your ideas and actions to achieve specific outcomes, like being a millionaire. Your brain is programmable to achieve the outcome you want.

In other words, NLP teaches you to use the language of the mind to consistently achieve your goal of becoming a millionaire. The way you think affects the language you use and in turn, your behavior. With the application of NLP, the route to becoming a millionaire is even faster.

HISTORY OF NLP

NLP was developed in 1970s by John Grinder and Richard Bandler. Grinder, an assistant professor of linguistics, met Bandler, a student in mathematics and information technology with an interest in psychology at the University of California at Santa Cruz. To earn some money, Bandler was editing Gestalt Therapy transcripts. He realized there was a structure in the therapists’ work that created successful change. Together, the two men studied the patterns used by renowned therapists Virginia Satir, a family therapist; Fritz Perls, the founder of Gestalt therapy; and Milton Erickson, the world-famous hypnotherapist. Together, they achieved outstanding results with their clients. Grinder and Bandler discovered a number of processes from their clients, which they used to build into a model to enable a person to reach his highest potential. In a log cabin in the hills of Santa Cruz in 1976, they developed the technology of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, more popularly known as NLP.

NLP SUPPOSITIONS

The main content of Grinder’s and Bandler’s work focuses on how people excel and in particular, how they manage change. In NLP, there are suppositions (basic beliefs). You too can transform yourself dramatically if you change your suppositions.

The map is not the actual territory
The map is only your interpretation of the territory, not the actual territory itself.

Respect other people’s map of the world
Since different people have different maps, always respect other people’s map of the world.

People create their own experience
People create their own experience and view of reality.

A person’s behavior is not who he is
Accept the person and do not change his behavior.

The meaning of communication is the response it gets
Traditionally, the focus of communication is on the speaker, voice, content, logistics and venue. The most important component – the response of your communication – is ignored.

Experience has a structure
Through your five senses, you can make sense of your experience.

Every behavior has a positive intention
You have a purpose for everything you do, although you may not be aware of it or speak about it.

The mind and body are interlinked and affect each other
Thousands of years ago, people already believed that the mind and body were connected.

People make the best choices available to them at that point of time.
People make what they think is the best decision to achieve their desired goals at that particular point of time.

People work to the best of their abilities
Everybody works to the best of their abilities, given their resources, perception and experience.

There is no failure, only feedback
Failure is not the opposite of success. Inaction, apathy and tolerance of mediocrity are the opposites of success.

Resistance in a client is a sign of a lack of rapport
There are no resistant clients, only inflexible communicators.

Learning is living and we cannot not learn
As soon as we are born, learning takes place.

There is a solution to every problem
Successful people believe that there is a solution to every problem.

You are in charge of your mind and the results
You are what you think. Successful people are in control of their thoughts and can change their attitudes, behavior and action. They take charge of their lives.

You are more than what you think you are
You have a great untapped potential. Within you is a vast reservoir of talents which you can access. The subconscious mind is unlimited.

If the other person can do something, you can do it too
Your brain is like a computer. It comes with the standard hardware. You can install the necessary software and program it to achieve success.

Choice is better than no choice
If you have only one choice, you have no choice at all. If you have two or more choices, you have an opportunity to make the best decision to influence the outcome.

You have all the resources to be successful
There are no unresourceful people; only unresourceful states.

You can change if you want to
If you believe you can change, then change can be as easy as remaining status quo. Change will transform your life.

The person with the most flexibility will control the system or outcome
If you continue doing what you have been doing and find yourself still living in the poorhouse, then you must do something different to join the exclusive club of successful people.

You cannot not communicate
People must communicate in one way or another to another person. Some of the responses are automatic, subconscious or subtle.

NLP LIMITING BELIEFS

“The man who believes he can do it is probably right, and so is the man who believes he can’t.” - Laurence Peter

Most people cannot be successful because they are limited by their own beliefs. Below are some common ones:

1. Everything was easier in the old days.
2. I am too young to start a business.
3. I am too old to start a business.
4. I do not have enough capital.
5. I do not have a degree.
6. I am not gifted.
7. I do not have enough energy.
8. I can fail.
9. I do not come from a rich family.
10. There are insufficient business opportunities.
11. The market here is too small.

Break through your limiting beliefs today and you can be a success in the near future.

1. Everything was easier in the old days
Many people complain that becoming successful is difficult these days. They are quick to make excuses for their failures. In fact, there is no better time to start a business. Because of changing technologies, never before are there so many opportunities before your very eyes.

2. I’m too young to start a business
One is never too young to be a success. Youth is not a setback. In fact, it is an asset. What a young person lacks in experience can be compensated by creativity, enthusiasm and energy.

3. I’m too old to start a business
Many people believe they are too old to be successful. They believe that there is only one boat in their life and they have missed it. Many successful people tend to make it later in life.

4. I do not have enough capital
This may seem to be a major obstacle for most people. Many millionaires started out poor.

5. I do not have a degree
There are hundreds of millionaires who don’t have a university degree.

6. I am not gifted
Many successful people have humble backgrounds.

7. I do not have enough energy
A high energy level generates high motivation and it is the key to success. All it takes is a spark to ignite the vast resources of your energy.

8. I can fail
Fear of failure is the most powerful and pervasive of all fears. It is embedded in your subconscious mind. Yet people generally do not admit that they are afraid of failing.