NLP Technique - Walking State

Walking state is a technique that enables your client to prepare and rehearse for a meeting that will have a far greater positive impact on the result than the majority of rehearsal approaches. It will also introduce the concept of the huge choice of useful states available to all of us.

Walking State - What's important

Using your calibration skills ensure that your client does have a visual and auditory movie of the meeting.

Brainstorm a large number of states, ensure you have at least one of the families of Fierce, Tender and playful.

Do spend time asking questions when your client is 'walking the states.' You're teaching him or her to start to recognise how state and posture are related.

Walking State - The technique

Have your client identify a future meeting that he or she would like to go particularly well.

You may suggest to your client that this exercise is an exploration to increase their behavioural options - which will lead to them being more successful at the meeting.

Have them imagine seeing and hearing a 10-20 second movie of them interacting with this person at the meeting.

Ask them to break state, for example by asking them the colour of the carpet.

Brainstorm with them, preferably on a whiteboard a large whiteboard, states that might be useful in the context of the meeting.

As practitioner it's important for the next stage you 'go first', when you're walking with your client asking then to walk 'as if' in a particular state - you get into that state first.

Have then choose three of the states to explore in the context of this meeting, then have them walk 'as if' they were in the first state. As they walk ask them questions about their physiology and breathing while in that state. Is their walking fast or slow? Where are breathing from? Is their breathing fast or slow? How are their shoulders? Where is there attention? etc etc.

Repeat the about with the other two states. Then ask them to walk with a representation (whatever that means?) of all three states. Then ask them to stop and ask them 'through the lens' of those three states play the movie again and notice what changes - however small or large the change may be.

Copyright 2007 PPI Business NLP with thanks to John Grinder

NLP techniques - Visual Squash (New)

A highly recommended and brilliant adaptation of the the original 'Visual Squash' technique which is now excellent for goal setting, it has been adapted from Richard Bandler's book TRANCE-formation (page 61).

Lots of applications!

Visual Squash (New) - What's important

You can you almost all your NLP skills to add depth to this technique.

Be aware that depending on context you may find 10-12 stages in paragraph 5 too many when you start. It also works well using 2-4, you can always build later.

Visual Squash (New) - The technique

Create a vivid representation of yourself the way you are now (your present state) - All that you consider good and bad.

See yourself the way you would be if you got through your problems and well achieved your goals. Be very clear on how you will be behaving, what you will be saying and feeling. Make the image as clear and as rich as possible. Use all your senses.

Place one image in each of your hands outstretched in front of you with a space separating them. This space represents the unexplored territory and unspecified steps that lie between the two states.

Begin to make a series of images or movies of the logical steps from one state to the other. Adjust each picture or movie, frame by frame, changing what ever needs to be changed , until each is a fully representational, progressive stage of the process of change.

When you have between ten and twelve stages in front of you, slowly begin to close your hands, collapsing all changes into a simple process.

Bring your clasped hands towards your body and pull the new state into your body, making a new feeling that represents action and success.

Spin that feeling faster and faster, intensifying it and allowing it to spread throughout your body, so it permeates every muscle, every organ and every nerve, and every cell. As you do this, look at where you want to go and decide clearly what you need to do first. Then see yourself taking the second step, then the third, and keep spinning and intensifying the feeling until you fell compelled to get up and go for it.

Visual Squash. Note the original visual squash is also useful, and is noted in most good NLP books.

NLP Technique - Timeline

Timeline is a way of exploring challenges and opportunities from different perspectives of time. It can be easier to come up with a plan to meet a challenge or opportunity from a perspective in the future when it has already been solved. It can be easier to resolve an issue which happened in the past from the perspective of going back to that time.

Timeline can be done visually, auditory and kinaesthetically. Different clients will tend to have a preference for using a particular modality.

Timeline - What's important

Taking a client into their past can cause the release of a tremendous amount of emotion. This is normally good - however its important that the practitioner has the experience to support the client through the experience.

Taking a client to explore and rehearse his or her future is almost always beneficial. It is important that the practitioner always moves the client forward in any challenges or issue, so that the client is left in a positive state.

Kinesthetic timeline - The technique

Ask your partner if he/she has something they would like to investigate in future.

Ask your partner where their future and past is, imagined as a line which maybe forward and behind or side to side.

Ask your partner to walk to a position in time when the issue is completely solved, and then to a position a little further in the future when the client can feel really good about it.

Ask your partner how that feels.

Ask your partner to walk slowly back to the present day, collecting up all the useful experience and learning, bringing it all back and integrating it into the present day.

Visual timeline - The technique

As for the kinesthetic timeline, but instead of walking, just ask your partner to imagine seeing their timeline and to see a goal somewhere in future.

Ask your partner to imagine floating up above their timeline to the first milestone in achieving the goal. Your partner floats down into milestone and takes a moment to fully experience it. You can use bimodalities to help your partner fully associate with the milestone.

Continue to guide your partner through all milestones until the goal is reached.

Ask your partner to float slowly back to the present day, collecting up all the useful experience and learning, bringing it all back and integrating it into the present day.

NLP Techniques - Swish

Swish can be used to change a simple behaviour or a future state, for example feeling good when going on stage to present. Its really a more formalised way of doing a sub modality change and linking it to a point in the future.

Swish - What's important

The first cue picture will become a trigger for the new behavior, so it needs to in a sequence that the client has to go through to achieve the old behaviour.

Take time making the outcome picture really motivating.

When doing Swish as a visual technique it needs to be done quickly, however the determining factor is the speed your client processes visual information - watch them to see how fast they go.

Swish - The technique

This can be used to change almost anything e.g. stopping smoking, changing state etc. There are different versions for different representational systems.

Identify context:

Ask the client what he/she wants to change?

Identify first cue picture:

Identify what you see just before the behavior they you want to change. See it through your own eyes (associated).

Create outcome picture:

Now create a picture after the desired change. See it through someone else's eyes (dissociated).

Play with the submodalities. Make the picture more exciting.

Swish:

See the first cue picture clear and bright

Put a small dark image of the outcome picture in the bottom right hand corner

Fast - Grow the outcome picture to replace the cue picture as the cue picture shrinks way over the horizon

Repeat three times. Or as many times as your client needs to make the change automatic.

Test:

If you think of the first picture it should immediately change.

Does it work in practice?

Play with the sub-modalities.

NLP Technique - Submodality Change

Understanding your experience and how to change it!

1. Choose a pleasant experience from the past and pay special attention to how you remember it. Focus less on what happened than on whether you're making a picture, what the sub modalities of that picture are making sure you also pay attention to the sounds and feelings that make up the entire memory. Notice how you feel when you intensely re-experience pleasant memory.


2. Begin to push the image away from you towards the horizon, making it smaller and less distinct, and draining any colours out of it as you go. When it is just a dot in the distance, notice how your feelings have changed. Most people find that the intensity of their pleasure diminishes significantly.


3. Bring the memory back into it's previous position , restoring all it's original submodalities until you feel the same about the memory as you did when you began.


4. Bring the picture toward you. Increase the size; make it bigger, brighter, and more detailed. Step right into the picture and experience everything through all your sense. The experience should feel more real, more intense.


5. Return the memory to its original place, once again restoring all its original sub modalities.

NLP Techniques - State Elicitation and Anchor

State elicitation and anchor enables your client to access a useful state and then re access it at a time of their choosing in the future.

An important additional benefit of the technique is your client is getting experience in exploring their own memories and experience. This is the starting point for many other techniques, and a significant life skill.

State Elicitation and Anchor - What's important

As practitioner go first. To help your client access a particular state 'Act as if' you're already in that state.

For clients that 'live in their heads' this technique can be really challenging. On the other hand it can be the first stage in them reconnecting with their senses (and in a way their life) and can have tremendous long term benefits.

The basis of NLP anchoring is that human memories are built from our five senses. Triggering one will bring back the others.

State Elicitation and Anchor - The technique

Ask your partner where they would be happy having an anchor applied to their arm, hand, shoulder?

Ask your partner what state he/she would like to elicit. Image being in that state first yourself to help lead your partner into that state.

Being able to help your clients elicit strong and powerful states and / or amplify weak ones is one of the most useful skills in NLP.

Ask your partner to remember a time when he/she was in such a state, or ask them to make up a time when he/she was in such a state.

Ask your partner:

What can they see:

How big is the image? How far away? Motion or still? Colour or black and white? Bright or dim? Focused or unfocused? Associated or dissociated? One image or many?

What can they hear:

One point or all around? Loud or soft? Fast or slow? High or low pitch? Clear or muffled?

What can they feel:

Location in body? Breathing rate? Temperature? Weight? Intensity? Movement?

And you can explore taste and smell

Ask your partner to just double what he/she sees, hears and feels and when they go strongly into state, apply the anchor.

Break state, then have your partner imagine experiencing they state strongly as you apply the anchor once more.

Break state, then test the anchor.

See Wikipedia - Anchoring, Wikipedia - Submodalities

Copyright 2007 PPI Business NLP, with thanks to Peter Freeth:

Additional Note

Anchors can be 'stacked' 'chained' or 'collapsed'

To stack anchors anchor similar states to the same trigger, when fired you will get a more powerful 'composite' anchor.

To chain anchors you can (among other ways) anchor different states to different parts of the forearm and then trigger them in sequence by running your fingers across them.

To collapse a negative anchor fire it and a positive anchor at the same time, releasing the negative anchor first.

NLP Techniques - Stalking

Stalking is a fascinating NLP technique to calibrate your client to notice when they are just getting into non-useful' state, like over tired or exhausted - when it's still early enough to do something about it.

It also teaches them to be open to signals when their 'subconscious' is telling them to change their behaviour.

Stalking - What's important

Have your client build a really strong sanctuary state and work to improve it. Remember it's their's to take with them!

Have your client move with energy back to the sanctuary state - nothing wimpish.

Stalking - The technique

Have your partner find a behaviour that they want to change, something that they tend to get engrossed in or something that involves a response that happens very quickly. They key to finding the right behaviour for this exercise is that it happens either too quickly or too slowly for them to notice that its happening until its too late.

Have your partner imagine a sanctuary state that they can retreat to at any time during this exercise. This will be a state or memory that is very resourceful, relaxing or protective for them. Have them create a bubble around this state and notice the location of this state in the room so that you can help your partner return to it at any time.

Have your partner imagine seeing themselves across the other side of the room, engaged in this activity. Have them place the image at a distance they're comfortable with. Now, help your partner to slowly approach the behaviour, walking slowly forward until they start to feel an uncomfortable or undesirable response. As soon as they start to feel any response, have them step immediately into the sanctuary state.

When they're ready have them step out of the sanctuary step and move closer to the problem behaviour. Continue moving forward, using the sanctuary state when necessary, until they can approach the problem behaviour and stand very close to it.

Now, have your partner describe the problem behaviour and anything they can do to change it.

NLP Techniques - Six Step Reframing

Six step reframing is gentle and respectful technique which can be used for any behaviour change. It is gentle and respectful in that any answer or solution doesn't come from the practitioner or the client's conscious mind - it comes from the clients unconscious mind.

Done correctly it can begin a series of beneficial integrations within the client outside of the issue being discussed.

There are many elements within this technique than can be used in many interventions.

Six step reframing - What's important?

This is one of the most 'hypnotic' of all NLP techniques and as such the congruence, beliefs and state of the practitioner is key. You need to have the mindset that your client absolutely does have the answer!

Remember to genuinely thank the 'parts' involved' and remember to integrate fully ay the end - We want our client to leave 'fully integrated.'

Six Step Reframing - The technique

1. Identify the pattern of behaviour to be changed (X)

2. Establish communication with the part that generates the behaviour

Go inside and ask the following question of yourself and remain alert and detect any changes in body sensations, visual images or sounds which occur as a response to your question. The question is, Will the part of me that generates behaviour X be willing to communicate with me in consciousness?

Be attentive to any internal VAK

Now ask that part, well call it part X, to vary that signal for yes and to do the opposite for no.

Calibrate to external indicators to yes or no.

3. Separate the intention from behaviour.

Thank the part for responding. Now ask if it would be willing to let you know what its been trying to do for you by generating behaviour X. As you ask that question, once again be alert to detect yes or no response.

If yes-ask that part to reveal the positive intention. Then go to step #4.

If no - go to #3.

4. Create alternative behaviour to satisfy the positive intension

Now go inside and contact your creative part and ask it to generate alternative behaviours that are just as good or better than behaviour X to satisfy the intention of the part we've been communicating with. Have the part responsible for X signal you with a yes signal when it has at least three new behaviours.

5. Ask if part X would accept the new choices and the responsibility for generating them when needed.

Now ask part X if its willing to accept responsibility for generating new behaviours in appropriate contexts when its intention needs to be fulfilled, for the next 4 weeks.

6. Ecological check. Ask that part that has been responding to be unresponsive (still, silent, etc.) then:

Now go inside and ask if there are any parts that object to the negotiations that have just taken place and be alert to any internal response (VAK) that occurs.

7. Now Go And Do It! - Test! Then Future Pace! Ensure full integration.

NLP techniques - Sleight of Mouth

Sleight of Mouth - Conversational Belief Change

Reframing is an excellent way to handle questions and objections (and belief change). A reframe is an intervention that changes the meaning someone has associated with a particular piece of information. For example, the price of a product or service is in itself meaningless it is the audiences perception of it being cheap, expensive or good value that is important. Reframing allows you to change that subjective meaning in order to create the right outcome for your presentation.

Sleight of Mouth patterns are reframing patterns identified by Robert Dilts from some of Richard Bandlers language patterns. However they are applicable to many famous communicators.

They are best used in combination rather than individual patterns; they can be used to strengthen beliefs as well as change them. They are based on plausibility rather proof. While there are 18 patterns they can sub divided into four basic types:

▫ Change meaning

▫ Change cause

▫ Comparisons

▫ Change logical level

Example of Sleigh of Mouth Patterns

Take an example belief: Business NLP is not appropriate for our company

These responses are an example of the various patterns rather than the truth about NLP.

Hierarchy of Criteria

To be effective the response must relate to the real values of the person youre talking to!

Dont you think its more important to concentrate on what your objectives are now, and how NLP could help you achieve them; rather than rely on past opinions?

Consequence

A consequence of that view is that some of your people wont get the best development opportunity thats available to them.

Another outcome

The issue here is not whether its appropriate for your whole company; which it isnt; the issue is whether its very appropriate for some people in your company.

Metaphor / Analogy

Would a football coach that studied how the best footballers scored goals not be appropriate for a football club? Business NLP is about how the best business people achieve results.

Redefine 1

Its not inappropriate for your company; it just needs to be implemented properly to get the best results

Redefine 2

Business NLP is about producing best business results; are you really saying producing better business results is not appropriate for your company?

Chunk Down

(Most of the Meta model can be used)

What particular parts of NLP are not appropriate for your company? How specifically are they inappropriate?

Chunk up / exaggerate

So you mean that learning and improving performance will never be appropriate for your company?

Counter example

Isn't it possible that one aspect of Business NLP will be appropriate for your company? There is at least one area of your company that could benefit isn't there?

What would be appropriate for your company?

Who would Business NLP be appropriate for?

Intent

My intention is not to sell you something inappropriate; its to save you money and increase your effectiveness. Business NLP may be able to help you with both these.

Model of the world

That may be 100% true from the experience youve had so far; however would you be interested in the experience of people from similar companies that have found it appropriate?

Reality strategy

What would you know if Business NLP was appropriate to your company?

Apply to self

Thats an inappropriate thing to say; knowing how many other companies have benefited.

Change Frame size

It may seem that now; however when you look at the potential benefit of how Business NLP can help you with changes over the next five years; youll see how necessary it is.

Meta Frame

Youre only saying that because you dont know if you can handle the impact Business NLP will have. I can guide you through that to achieve the results you want.

NLP Techniques - Relaxation Response

This is an extract from Richard Bandler and Garner Thomson's The Secrets of Being happy.

The Relaxation Response

15-20 Minutes, ideally twice a day

1. Start by selecting an anchor word such as "peace", "calm", "quiet" or "relax".
You can also choose a neutral word such as the number "one". Which ever word you choose, it should remain the same for all sessions from now on.
2. Sit quietly and comfortably for a few moments to allow the body to start to settle down.
Each time you exhale, softly and silently repeat your word. You aren't required to visualise anything or try to relax, or do anything else. Simply think the word once each time you breath out.
3. Accept that thoughts and distractions will come, but don't fall into the trap of trying to resist them.
Rather, each time you realise you've been thinking of something else, gently return to the word.
Remember you'll feel however you'll feel during the exercise. The benefits appear afterwards as you increase your capacity to accept whatever is.

NLP Technique - Progressive Dissociation

Headache and other pain. Do you want to cure a headache or similar?
Bizarre, but often works!

Assume for this example that your partner has a headache

Ask your partner where the discomfort or pain is. Ask your partner to hold your wrist, then ask a sequence of questions:

　

What does your head feel about the pain in your head?

What does your neck feel about the pain in your head?

What does your shoulder feel about the pain in your head?

What does your elbow feel about the pain in your head?

What does your hand feel about the pain in your head?

What do your fingers feel about the pain in your head?

What do my fingers feel about the pain in your head?

What does my hand feel about the pain in your head?

What does my elbow feel about the pain in your head?

What does my shoulder feel about the pain in your pain?

What does my head feel about the pain in your pain?

And then reverse through, all the way back to your head.

Asking 'What does your head think of your headache?'

NLP Techniques - Planning to Succeed

This is an extract from Richard Bandler and Garner Thomson's The Secrets of Being happy.

 1) Decide on an outcome you would like to have

Keep it fairly simple at this stage
2) Now, make a large picture of you and those people in your life who are important to you enjoying this outcome
3) Move the picture back; make it really big, and then start adding detail to smaller pictures between you and your outcome
If you try to put everything in the same picture, especially a still picture, its likely to become cluttered. Therefore, move the picture back, make it really big, and then start adding details smaller pictures between you and your outcome. These should contain specific information about the actions needed to move you in your desired direction. These should preferably be moving pictures; and you should be be clear at each point how you would like that experience to feel.
4) When the entire sequence is in place, step into the beginning and run the scenario, seeing, feeling everything you'd experience if it was actually happening now.
Notice how it feels to be there, moving towards your objective. Make sure that each transitional picture gets bigger, brighter and more detailed the closer you come to it.
5) Repeat the exercise several times a day

NLP Techniques - Perceptual Positions

Want to understand someone better? By 'being them' for a short period of time you can learn about them.

The exercise can be done standing or sitting, whatever helps your partner to recall it most easily. A could arrange chairs or other furniture accordingly, just as in the original scenario.

Ask your partner to recall that memory and run through it, recalling every detail as if it were happening right now. Help your partner to fully associate and run the whole sequence through from start to finish. This is 1st position.

Now ask your partner to walk over to where the other person was, and step into their position. In this 2nd position, your partner watches the whole sequence again, watching and hearing themselves as if they are the other person .Ask your partner for any new information or insight they have in this position. Ask your partner how they feel watching and listening to themselves.

Now have your partner walk over to a 3rd position on the other side of the room. If they have difficulty dissociating from the emotional content of the memory, you can ask them to imagine stepping outside of the room and watching through a window, as a casual onlooker. Ask them to watch the whole sequence again, paying attention to the interaction between position 1 and 2. Ask them for any new information or insight they have in this position. Ask how they feel watching and listening to the interaction between the two people in the room, and to note how the other person seems to be responding.

Now have your partner move back to the 1st position, in their own shoes, and run through the whole scene again, integrating everything that they learned in the other two positions.

Ask your partner how they feel differently about the situation or the people, and what they have learned.

NLP Techniques - Outcomes

Well formed outcomes enable you to think about what you want in such a way that it will be easier and more fun to achieve - or it will help you realise that it's not something you really wanted, before you waste time in trying to achieve it.

The key aspect of an outcome is that it's motivating and sets a direction.

Outcomes - What's important

Sometimes just asking the question "and what do you want?" starts to move the interaction in a useful direction.

Although there are many different versions of well formed outcomes there are five key criteria:

Stated in the positive

It's something you want, for example, to be successful, as opposed to something you want to avoid, for example, to feel less insecure.

Under your control

The outcome is under your your control, while there maybe some debate on what actually is under our control I'd consider 'getting a new job' outside my control, but 'getting the skills and taking action to get a new job' under my control.

Identify and focus on what is directly under your control!

Sensory tested

Our senses connect us to the outside world. If we want to achieve something in the 'real' world. It's important that we can see, hear, feel and preferably taste and smell the result. And the brighter, the more colourful we make the pictures (and sounds and feelings) the more we will be drawn to take action to achieve what we want.

Ecological
Good to us and those closest to us in the short, medium and longer term

We've explored anything conscious or unconscious that may be holding us back.

Future pace
We include this final step, 'can you imagine yourself enjoyably taking the smallest first step that will move you towards your goal?'

To me what's important about an outcomes exercise is that it motivates us to take enjoyable and real action, NOT that we must achieve our goal - because our goal may change on route.

Outcomes - The technique

Help your client to come with a goal. It might be something short term or something long term and inspirational. You may want to write the goal down, if you do so make sure you write it down precisely as they say it - dont be tempted to paraphrase or restate it. Always use other peoples words, especially when their dreams are involved!

It's important that you and your client are in appropriate states before completing an outcomes exercise.

Ask your partner the following questions and notice hoe they respond. Notice also any changes in processing or physiology that take place. You don't need to think too much about the content of the answers that they come up with, pay more attention to the process and how they react.

Positive:

Tell me something you want to achieve?

Is that something you want, as opposed to want to avoid?

Specific:

When, where, with whom do you want it?

Evidence sensory based:

How do you know when you've got it?

What will you see, hear, feel, taste and smell?

What will do you see yourself doing differently as a result of achieving this?

Preserve the position intention:

(Don't throw the baby out with the bath water)

What will happen if you get this result?

What wont happen if you get it?

What will happen if you don't get this result?

What wont happen if you don't get it?

Initiated and maintained by the individual:

What is the first step that you will take?

What resources do you have?

Ecology check:

Offer your hand, palm up, to your partner and offer them their goal, right now, in the palm of your hand.

If you were offered this right now, would you take it?

Future Pace

Can you imagine yourself enjoyably taking the smallest first step that will move you towards your goal?'

NLP Techniques - Presuppositions

A key part of NLP training is exploring the 'beliefs' or 'presuppositions of NLP'.

Your beliefs will effect your performance in any field. Holding the following beliefs for NLP and coaching is likely to significantly improve your performance.

The ability to change the process by which we experience reality is more often valuable than changing the content of our experience of reality

NLP pre-suppositions

1) The meaning of the communication is the response you get

2) All distinctions human beings are able to make concerning our environment and behaviour can be usefully represented through the visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, olfactory and gustatory senses

3) The resources an individual needs to make a change are already within them

4) The map is not the territory

5) The positive worth of an individual is help constant, while the value and appropriateness of internal and/or external change is questioned

6) There is a positive intention motivating every behaviour, and a context in which every behaviour has value

7) Feedback vs Failure. All results and behaviours are achievements, whether they are desired outcomes for a given task/context or not

NLP technique - modelling of excellent performers

Do you want to learn useful attitudes and skills Quickly?

As part of our practitioner accreditation training we ask students to identify someone who has skills or achievements that they admire - and present back with three or four ideas that will help both themselves and other members of the group improve their performance in whatever field is chosen.

The following is our 'starter brief' that can be used by almost anybody. Try it a couple of times and you may find that you have some very valuable skills in this area.

We suggest that there are at least three approaches to modelling.

Identifying peoples strategies or the sequence they go through to do something - normally using Meta model questions

Getting ideas about how someone does something by asking questions based on Robert Dilts 'Logical Levels'.

Using deep trance identification to take on a complete skill set'. This is sometimes called 'True' NLP modelling.

For information, elicitation a strategy requires systemic questioning and observation. Begin by asking someone how they do something you would like to do. Identify each step by asking either 'what happens before that?' or what happens after that?'. Remember many people will not be aware of their strategies so use your observation to notice changes in eye accessing, posture and breathing to help identify internal processing.

We ask our delegates to complete a project based on 'Logical Levels' and then 'Steal a Skill' based on a Richard Bandler approach.

Logical Levels Modelling

Firstly decide who you would like to model or what skills or capabilities you would like to develop. Remember NLP is about modelling the best - so set your sights high, you'll be surprised who'll see you if you come over as genuinely interested. And there are lots of others to see if they don't.

Use a tape/mini disc recorder and preferably arrange to see people in their offices - I have some very interesting recordings in bars and clubs - but the background noise blanks out the content!! And remember to listen - sometimes questions that don't make any sense to you get the best answers.

Mix and match the following question sets:

Introduction

You've chosen someone because they're good - so let them know, and keep any confidences that are important to them.

You have a reputation at being good at 'people networking' (adapt to your topic) are you happy that I ask you some questions about it?

Environment

Where and when do you do it?

Behaviours

What specifically do you do?

If you were going to teach me to do it, what would you ask me to do?

Capabilities

What skills do you have that enable you to do this?

How did you learn how to do this?

Beliefs

What do you believe about yourself when you do this?

What do you believe about the person you're doing this to?

Identity

Do you have a personal mission or vision when you're doing this?

Other questions

How do you know that you're good at this?

What emotional and physical state are you in when you do this?

What happened for you to be good at this?

What are you trying to achieve when you do this?

Who else do you recommend I talk to about this?

NOTE

When you have a certain experience in doing this - and the questions become automatic - you could choose to get into deep rapport with your subject and imagine what it would be like to actually 'be' your subject as they are describing what they do. - This is a step towards 'true' NLP modelling

Stealing a Skill Modelling

from Richard Bandler's Guide to TRANCE-formation

(page 59)

1 Decide on a role model - someone whose physical performance you would like to replicate. Spend as much time as possible studying your role model in the flesh, on video tape, or on DVD recordings. Simply relax while watching them, softening your vision and hearing and seeing the flow of the performance.

2 When you feel as familiar as possible with your role model's performance, close your eyes, relax and recreate your role models performing a sequence of actions at the highest level of excellence. See and hear everything there is to build a model of that competence.

3 When you have watched this performance for some time, move around the mental image of your role model and step inside. Imagine that you are able to see through the eyes of excellence, hear through the ears of excellence and feel the feelings of excellence.

4 Run through the same sequence of actions but from within, noticing this time what your body feels as you do this. Repeat several times as you have a sense of familiarity.

5 Step out of your role model's body, with the intention of retaining as much of the sill as possible as you return to normal working consciousness.

6 As soon as possible (and as much as possible) practice the borrowed skill, noticing how this exercise improves your performance.

7 Repeat the entire exercise, combining it with what-ever real time practice you do, at least once a day for the first 21 days, then at least once a week as maintenance

Business methodology

To build this into a very powerful process for a business, for example empowering a sales force or customer service unit we would tailor the questions and add a number of other stages.

Desk research

Questioning top performers

Questioning key customers

Observing in action

Building an effective model

Implementing the model

One of the key competencies of NLP is modelling excellent performers.

NLP Techniques - Mind Juggling

From the NavaChing website. Do read Nelson Zinc's brilliant book 'The Structure of Delight - doesn't contain mind juggling, but is a great read, buy it while you still can!)
Refinement of the exercise has resulted in a precise set of instructions. The ball should weight about 100 grams. A tennis ball weights 50 grams so we made a tool which allowed us to inject different materials (BB's became a favorite) inside the ball creating different sounds. Most any object with a weight in the 100 gram range will work fine.
It's probably more important you have an affinity for the juggling object than its particular characteristics. Pick something you like, something with personal significance, something that feels nice (KEN), sounds good (AEN) and won't be damaged if dropped.


Mind Juggling Instructions:

1. Stand, feet apart at shoulder width or sit in a straight-back chair without arms.

2. Position arms and hands as if you are supporting a tray level in front of you, elbows at 90 degrees, with the ball resting in one hand.

3. Begin tossing a ball from one hand to the other with your eyes open and slowly look up toward the ceiling, finally closing eyes. Return head to normal position.

4. Toss the ball at a rate of about once a second (50 times/minute) for the duration of the exercise. If available, a metronome is useful for timing. The ball should be thrown about 4-6 inches above your hands.

5. Continue juggling for 10-20 minutes. If during this time you should drop the ball, retrieve it and resume juggling. Occasional dropping appears to be part of the process. Allow your mind to go in whatever direction it wishes.

6. As your juggling ability develops, increase the level of difficulty by moving your hands farther apart and/or throw the ball higher. Keep a slight edge on the whole exercise. Keep your neurology learning.

There are only three absolutes: a nice slow tossing rhythm, closed eyes, and pick up the ball when you drop it.



Physical balance is maintained by the inner ear and either the visual system or the propriopceptive nervous system. Two of the three must be used and one of them must be the inner ear. The propriopceptive nervous system is the one you learned to use as an infant in order to walk.
Closing your eyes and attempting to stand on one foot will give you a quick estimation of which system you use in conjunction with your inner ear to maintain balance.
As a general rule, we've found that when people first begin to juggle they will watch the ball in their minds after they close their eyes. Then, usually within a minute or two, they will just perceptibly rock back on their heels.
It's at that moment that they switch from their visual to propriopceptive nervous system. Jugglers report that this is when they quit watching the ball in their mind's eye. We're fairly convinced that the propriopceptive nervous system must be engaged for the Mind Juggling effect to take place. This shift can be implemented by requiring that the juggler visualize something other than the ball, something in the past or future (VIN/B). In any event, boredom usually leads to the shift sooner or later.

Your task is to learn to Mind Juggle. The exercise appears to have many of the aspects of neurological learning (like riding a bicycle) in that after an initial period of learning your neurology 'knows' how to restore hemispheric balance. And it becomes something you'll never forget. After sufficient practice (about the same period of time it took you to learn to ride a bicycle) you'll be able to remember or imagine you're juggling and the process will kick in. Twenty-five sessions of Mind Juggling and you'll have it for life, ever ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.

Hagakure, written by Yamanoto Tsunetomo in 1716, is a manual for the samurai classes consisting of a series of short anecdotes and reflections that give both insight and instruction in the philosophy and code of behavior that foster the spirit of Bushido--the Way of the Warrior. In it is an aphorism which applies to both the literal and figurative aspects of Mind Juggling.
To paraphrase: Down seven times, up eight. Don't worry how many times you might drop the ball--just pick it up and continue. You only fail if you and the ball stay down. After learning to Mind Juggle try Walking Chants as a way to integrate this into your daily life.

NLP techniques - Meta Model Questions

Take it in turns to read out the problem statement and respond using the specific Meta Model structure indicated. Each structure will be demonstrated first.

Deletions

Unspecified Nouns

Example: I want a change

Response: What change, specifically?
I want a change

I'm enjoying this

Its terrible

I have lots of skills

Meet you at the pub

I want a computer

I want the report tomorrow

I'm putting you down for a course

I need it now

We need this done today

I need the report

Get me a sandwich

Talk to the customer

I need a new car

Get the problem fixed

I read it in a magazine

Unspecified Verbs

Example: She rejected me

Response: How exactly did she reject you?

He did it

He made her leave

I calmed the customer down

My boss ruined me

Ive taken the heat out of the situation

I did a great piece of work

Ive seen the writing on the wall

They get on really well

He's running the department badly

I like him

This company is going places

She always falls

I told him, now he should do it properly

I'm running on empty

At least he tries

Lets go!

Nominalisation

Example: I want recognition

Response: How do you want to be recognised

We have made our decision

Your work needs more attention

I have a bad feeling

I want more choice

There's no relationship

We had a great meeting

Failure worries me

I want publicity

Our customers have no patience

Sales doesn't work

He makes a bad impression

Marketing doesnt work

We need better management

Manufacturing has no future

I want more direction

Decisions are always hard

Lack of Referential Index

Example: They don't rate me

Response: Who, specifically doesn't rate you?

Response: According to who?

The writings on the wall

People are stupid

They should know better

It needs to be done properly

People make mistake

Those people need to be disciplined

Those products are expensive

One knows what's best

This happens everyday

If you learn NLP you will become very rich

We shouldn't do that

Its either them or us

You must turn your mobile off in the office

Were all going to be made redundant

They say you should do more exercise

If you cant beat them

Simple Deletion

Example: I'm unhappy

Response: unhappy about what?

You can't

Help me

Im fed up

I'm sad

We can manage

I just cant start

He is wrong

Its perfect

I know

Its all wrong

I feel curious

I don't want to

Never again

He cant

You must not do that

Stop it

Comparative Deletions

Example Our new product is more effective

Response More effective than what?

Response More effective than when?

It's for the greater good

He's more sensitive

NLP is better

She goes further

This is far more efficient

You look happier

Hard beds are better

He's more tolerant

She's much brighter

This is more complicated

This is more like it

Green is calmer

She's more fun

This is getting much easier

Blue is better

I'm enjoying this so mush more


Distortions　　

Complex equivalence

Example He's silent..He doesn't like what I've done

Response How do you know that his silence means he doesn't like what you've done

A good relationship means never having to say sorry

To stay in this job I have to work harder

You cant have a well paid job that is enjoyable too

You cant trust sales people

Marketing is an easy job

If you want success you have to give up your home life

That means trouble

He came in late on Saturday; I'm going to have to fire him


When you talk like that I know you don't mean it

He wears the same colour shirt as the boss: that means he's in for promotion

I saw them down the pub together; they must be having an affair

This is the only way

He doesn't know what I want because he doesn't care about me

She goes down to the gym so she must be healthy

Lost performance

Example its disaster to be made redundant

Response Who is being made redundant

Response Who is saying its a disaster?

People make mistake

Managers are overpaid

They should have seen it coming

People like people who are like them

They're always doing that

People learn from people who are different

This report needs finishing

Learning NLP will make you more successful

A meeting was held

This needs fixing

Mistakes have been made

This report needs finishing

Nobody is pulling their weight

A meeting has already been held about this

People are more flexible these days

They've been at it again　

Mind reading

Example you don't rate me

Response How do know that I don't rate you?

Response what leads you to believe that?


I know you don't believe me

She's really happy now

He doesn't want to help me

Hell laugh at this

You just don't care

They will think I'm stupid if I do that

He's ever so happy

Hell be upset if you disturb him

My boss thinks Im lazy

Hell get upset if you leave early

Hell hate you if you do that

When I present, everyone is judging me

The boss is in a foul mood today

You can see how effective NLP is

You know this isn't working

I know you're enjoying this

Cause and effect

Example He makes me cringe just by speaking

Response How does he make you cringe?

Response How do you make yourself cringe when he speaks?


Because of you I feel worthless

This exercise will inspire me

I'm unhappy when he goes away

If I stay in this job I have to work harder

If you want a pay rise you have to stay late

If I do that Ill get into trouble

My boss makes me angry

If you do that Ill leave

I feel tense as soon as speaks

They restrict my enthusiasm

I cant relax without music

If you want success you have to give up your home life

We cant do that because it wont listen

If I do the presentation it will go badly

There's no point trying, he wont listen

I wont apply, they'll never give me the job

Things always go wrong when she walks in here

Presuppositions

Example What are we going to do next?

Response How do you know were doing something next?

Response What makes you think were doing something next?


When this plan falls Ill say told you so

It will be easier when he leaves

What will the next reorganization bring?

When are you leaving?

Who are you going to fire next?

You'll enjoy it once you do it

Once you make a start you'll find it easy

We cant buy a car because we don't have any cash


Ill be so happy when he gets found out

I cant go for lunch with you because I'm

going to a customer meeting

I cant go home my boss wont like it

I cant learn to use this properly because I don't have enough time

What's going to go wrong next?

I'm just waiting for a bus

We wont be late we can get a taxi

Ill be happy when this is all over


Generalisations

Universal Quantifiers

Example He never listens to me

Response Never?

Response was there ever a time when he did?


Nobody likes me

He always tells the truth

All company's are greedy

No one cares any more

Its always the honest people that love

Nobody is having any fun these days

Nothings the same anymore

All the competition exaggerates

Nothing works here

Ill never be able to get fit

Everybody's talking about it

They always have an excuse

Americans can express themselves

Everybody works too hard

Sales people cant be trusted

NLP practitioners are always healthy

Modal Operator of Necessity

Example I have to take care of her

Response What happens if you do/don't?


We shouldn't do that

You have to get a good education

You must arrive on time

You've got to laugh

I must get a new car

You always have to be dressed smartly

You must be polite to the boss

We have to get a break from work


You must get that work done to day

I mustn't leave yet

You need an action plan

You have to listen to the boss

You ought to be more careful

You shouldn't talk to that customer

without asking me first

This project must not fail

You mustn't　

Modal Operator of Possibility

Example I cant tell the truth

Response What would happen if you did?

Response What stops you?

Response How do you stop yourself?

I can't go there now

I can't relax

I can't ring that customer

Ill never be to able to learn this

I won't be able to complete that on time

I can't sleep

I can't apply for that job

I couldn't possibly tell you

I might not finish that report on time

I couldn't ask for a pay rise

I cant imagine that

I cant concentrate on work at the moment

I might just tell him that

I couldn't fire her

I could do it if I tried

I might do what he says

NLP Technique  - Making Difficult Decisions

This is an extract from Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde with Sandra Blakeslee's book Sleight of Mind.
This is not an 'NLP Technique' as such but taken from Neuroscience research on stage magic.
Despite what we might think we're not good at multi tasking. This approach stops us ignoring what might be important.
When making a difficult decision such as hiring someone, accepting a job offer or such like:
1) Make a list of all the titbits of information you have, no matter how unimportant you think they are.
2) Sequentially and carefully focus on each one individually
3) As you focus consider the ramification of each with regard to logic, emotion and intuition
4) When you've gone through each one you will be in the best position to make a decision or re-focus on the most important

NLP Techniques - Logical Levels

Logical Levels can be used as an approach to explore any outcome. This may in itself produce a congruent way forward for your client or it will give information of where to go next.

Logical levels can also be used a 'top level' approach to modelling someone's attitude and skills in a particular context - again either giving you some distinctions to improve performance or suggesting what you investigate next

Logical Levels - What's important

When using logical levels to explore an outcome it's normally worth asking the client if they want to start at 'environment' or 'identity'.

Where ever they start take them through the steps and then take them back to the starting point, on the return stage 'what, however small, has changed.

Logical Levels - The technique

Remember to check you have a reasonable level of rapport before you start you may find it useful to frame the meeting with a statement like when Ive modeled successful people in the past, Ive found the questions Im about to ask really useful - if they dont make sense, thats fine just use them as a trigger to say what comes into your mind. And I may ask similar sounding questions, its to give you a chance to build on what you have said already

Environment

Where and when do you do it?

Behaviours

What specifically do you do?

If you were going to teach me to do it, what would you ask me to do?

Capabilities

What skills do you have that enable you to do this?

How did you learn how to do this?

Beliefs

What do you believe about yourself when you do this?

What do you believe about the person youre doing this to?

Identity

Do you have a personal mission or vision when youre doing this?

Other questions

Hoe do you know that youre good at this?

What happened for you to be good at this?

What are you trying to achieve when you do this?

Who else do you recommend I talk to about this?

What is your state when you do this?

Do you set any specific outcomes when you do this?

How do you know when you've achieved them?

NLP Techniques - Gratitude Inventory

 Gratitude Inventory

1. In a notebook draw three vertical columns
Give each column a heading: 1) Assets, 2) Attributes and 3) Relationships.

2. Now begin to fill out each in some detail
Under Assets. These maybe material (for example "I own my house outright.") or physical (for example "I'm the fittest I've ever been".) Assets may refer to your experience, such as educational qualifications, work experience etc.
Under Attributes. These are practical abilities, such as being able to complete projects on time, as well as emotional capabilities such as patience, endurance, even temper etc.
Under Relationships. List all those people (friends and family) you are confident that you can rely on. Think: If I was in trouble in the middle of the night could I ring any of these people and know without a moments doubt know they will turn up to help me?

3. When you have at least 20 in each category (feel free to ask for suggestions) choose one from each.

4. on a separate page, one for each item, write a sentence beginning with:
"Today I'm grateful that / for...." and fill in the relevant word of phrase.

5. Each morning, take a few moments to immerse yourself in gratitude. This is how you do that.
Find one example of each asset, attribute and relationship. Imagine you are actually experiencing each in turn. Absorb yourself into what you see, hear and feel and let the physical sensation this triggers begin to flow through your body. Notice the direction in which it is moving, and link the end point to the beginning so that it begins to spin. Now speed up the spin, allowing the feeling to move muscle to muscle, cell to cell, atom to atom until you have a full body experience.

6. Next briefly image yourself moving into the day with that feeling permeating your whole being.
How would it change your experience? What would be different and better? Most important: Who are the people you would like to share this special kind of wealth? How will you do it?

NLP Technique - Getting Things Done

1. Choose a situation where you feel out of control - not because you don't have the knowledge or the skills, but because your emotions get the better of you. One example of this might be fear of success or fear of failure.


2. Understand at this point that this is simply an attitude that is stopping you from doing something that you know you should do, so decide as richly as possible what you will be doing when you are back in control. Choose a specific example of this behaviour, preferably one that is immediately testable.


3. Sit comfortably, then float out, imagining yourself sitting a little behind and up from your physical body. In your mind's eye, see the back of your head, the width of your shoulders. See what your clothes look like from this point of view. Make this picture as fully dimensional as possible.


4. Now, imagine that you see yourself starting to stand up, and, as that happens, actually stand, so you are in precisely the same position as your imagine image.


5. Repeat this thought and action several times, making it faster each time, until you feel yourself being pulled to your feet by the vividness of your image.


6. Imagine you are standing a little behind and up from an image of yourself about to start the activity you identified in Step 2. Ensure that it is in the same position and has the same quantities as the standing exercise.


7. Run the activity from start to finish several times. Do this faster and faster, stepping into the image each time, until you feel the same 'pull' as before.


8. Test by starting the activity and following it all the way through at least three times. Then sit down quietly for a few moments and imagine how your life will be different and better as this new skill generalizes out into other, equally useful and appropriate areas of your life.

NLP Techniques - Future Pacing

Mental Rehearsal Guidelines

1) While you are learning to hone your mental rehearsal skills, eliminate as many distractions as possible. Make your yourself comfortable and take your time. Before long, mental rehearsal will become a skill you can use at short notice, anywhere.
2) Decide whether you are rehearsing a new, ongoing behaviour, or a finite response or skill you want to lock into place.
3) Take a series of long, slow breaths, making sure the exhalation is slightly longer than the inhalation.
4) Relax, scanning your body and gently releasing all muscular tension.
5) Create a dissociated of yourself using the new behaviour
(If you're dissociated you can improve what you do, if you're associated you can improve how  you'll feel when you do the behaviour.)

Exercise | Raising the Bar

1) Start with a skill you already have and would like to improve
2) Create a movie of yourself (or someone particularly adept) carrying out the procedure.
3) When the movie is exactly as you want it, step
(associate) into the beginning.
4) Now introduce a dramatic handicap.
5) Repeat the exercise many times, especially late at night.
Don't skimp on the effort, and always hit your target regardless of how challenging the handicap might be. Keep increasing the handicap, and keep achieving your outcome with precision and satisfaction. Test your progress frequently and keep track of whatever you find different and better.

NLP Technique - Foolproof Planning

1. Step into a full sensory representation of the way you will be behaving, talking, thinking, and feeling when you are completely on track with your new and preferred direction. To intensify the experience, imagine going through an entire "ideal" day with your new resources already in place, spinning and building on your good feelings.

2. Ask yourself what needs to be done immediately before you could have your perfect day. Make a note of your answer.


3. When you have identified that, ask yourself the same question: what needs to be done immediately before you achieve that step Write down the answer.


4. Repeat until you have moved backward to your starting point. You should now have all the key steps needed to carry you from your present state to your desired state.


5. Carefully give each step a start and finish date, making sure that they all complete within your overall timescale.

Note : Complex tasks can be broken into separate components, each of which can be reverse-engineered as above, making sure that none of the start-finish dates clash.

NLP Technique - Fast Phobia Cure

The Fast Phobia cure can be used for any real big fear, if the fear can be tested there an then - i.e. purely imagining the situation brings observable manifestations of the fear - so much the better.

The technique contains a number of steps, for example, dissociation, playing an experience backwards, which can be useful in many contexts.

Fast Phobia Cure - What's important

Remember if it's a really big fear you can continue to dissociate further, for example float above yourself from the gallery and watch yourself from an air vent in the cinema, watching yourself, watching yourself watching the movie.

Sometimes in order to get the logistics right I'll layout the room so a screen or monitor is the cinema screen, a chair represents the front row and another chair represents a chair in the balcony.

Also remember to test thoroughly and to continue as many times as it needs to get an appropriate outcome. You're teaching your client some very useful mental processes.

Fast Phobia Cure - The Technique

1. Have the subject find their greatest fear in life.

2. Have them walk into an imaginary movie theatre of their mind and sit down in the center of the front row.

3. Have them float up out of their body and gently settle in a comfortable seat in the balcony, so they can watch themselves watching the screen.

4. Have them put the very beginning of their greatest fear on the screen in the form of a colored slide. Have them run the movie of their greatest fear all the way to end, as they remain in the balcony watching sitting in the front row watching themselves on the screen.

5. At the end of the movie, freeze the frame into a slide. Change the picture to black and white and then re-associate fully into the picture on the screen (walk into the movie). Run the associated movie backwards at triple speed or faster, with circus or cartoon music playing, and have them freeze - frame the image when they get to the beginning of the movie.

6. Have them walk out of the still picture and sit back down in the center of the front row of the theater, then have them white out the entire screen.

7. Repeat steps 3-6 as necessary. Test for the phobic response after each time through. All throughout the process use plenty of presuppositions and Milton model language patterns to reinforce your change work.

NLP Techniques - Empowering Questions

Asking good questions is important in many aspects of NLP. In this technique we're using good questions to  direct attention towards useful states, resources and actions.

1. Write out 10 empowering questions
Examples:
a) How am I going to enjoy improving what do?
b) How can I become more passionate about helping others to succeed?
c) What going to be the most fun and going to move me forward today?
d) What's the most effective way I can move forward?
e) Who can help me with this?
f) What can I do to help others succeed?
g) What am I going to stop doing today, that in stopping will help me succeed?
e) What's the most useful thing I can do right now?
Your examples:
a)
a)
c)
d)
e)
f)
h)
i)
j)
l)
2. Ask yourself these questions
Ask yourself these questions twice a day, leave a pause after each question to let the question resonate throughout your mind and body. First thing in the morning and last thing in the evening is a good time.
3. Revise and improve your questions
Every two weeks or so, revise and update your questions.

NLP Technique - Embedded Commands

So what are embedded commands?

Embedded Commands are commands which have been softened by embedding them in a particular sentence. This means that they are less likely to be noticed and it is more likely that the client will follow the command.

Be aware that if you lead people to do what's in their interest they are likely to thank you, if you lead people to do what is against their interest they are likely seek revenge!

Embedded commands are one aspect of hypnotic language.

Embedded Commands - What's important

Firstly choose a command that's clear and easy to understand. In this exercise we'll use:

"Feel good"

"Register for a package of 5 coaching sessions"

"Take me out for a coffee"

Secondly remember to deliver your command dropping your voice down at the end of the command. This ensures it comes over as a command and not a question.

Sometimes its easier simply to give a command without embedding it! only embed it if you need to.

You can embed the command in a appropriate sentence or phrase as below. You may want to use a sentence that 'paces your clients current experience.' Finally you may want to 'mark out' the command with an appropriate small but clear had gesture.

When you're both congruent and put all the above together you'll be very influential.

Embedded Commands - Some examples

You can feel good as you start this exercise.

You can register for a package of 5 coaching sessions and start getting the benefits earlier.

You can take me out for a coffee and I'll tell you about cold reading.

What's it's like when you feel good because you've finished before the deadline.

What's its like when you register for a package of 5 coaching sessions and know you've taken a key step in easily achieving your goals.

What's it like when you take me out for a coffee and you have a chance to tell me what's important to you about this.

You probably haven't thought to feel good just because you're alive. Until now anyway.

You probably haven't thought to register for a package of 5 coaching sessions but it's what I'd recommend.

You probably haven't thought to take me out to coffee but it's what I'd recommend if you would like to get this sorted now.

I won't ask you to feel good just because you've turned up. I will ask you to feel good because you've taken the first step.

I won't ask you to register for a package of 5 coaching sessions, but if its what you want you may consider it all the same.

I won't ask you to take me out for coffee but if you its what you want you may consider it all the same.

I'm wondering if you'll feel good after the massage.

I'm wondering if you register for a package of 5 coaching sessions you'll realise the how quickly you'll change.

I won't ask you to take me out to coffee but I this time I'll ask you to pay.

If you've feel good now you'll feel even better as we move to the next part.

If you register for a package of 5 coaching sessions, you'll have set yourself up to succeed.

If you take me out to coffee I've a secret to share.

You may or may not realise that you can feel good by surrendering to the moment.

You may or may not realise that you can register for a package of 5 coaching sessions for the investment of four.

As you practise embedded commands in this way you will find you can improve your skills to point where you've managed to improve your influencing skills so that people just do what you want. And you can enjoy the additional responsibility this gives you.

Examples of phrases to set up embedded commands

Luckily you can:

When you:

If you were to:

If I were to:

What's it like when you:

A person can:

It's not necessary to:

You really shouldn't:

You don't have to:

(Thanks to Ross Jeffries)



Have fun!