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?