NLP and Thinking for Success

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is about using what works, the techniques have been gleaned from already successful people.  Don't be surprised if you've read them before, just think how you are going to apply them now.

It is important to know what you want ( I want to be healthy)  Â? this is a stretch for those people who are good a knowing what they don't want (I don't want to binge on food, I don't want to be depressed., I don't want to be shy).  Research shows that physically writing your goals down, and stating them in the positive sets a direction in the brain that makes the outcome more likely. Think about the future effects of achieving what you want, make your ideas real in terms of what you'll see, hear, feel, taste and smell and share them with a good listener, or draw a picture or make a collage.

Your physiology is closely linked to the way you think and feel so regular exercise and getting enough sleep help to keep the body and mind flexible and relaxed is important.  When you want to think creatively stand or sit leaning back slightly with eyes looking upwards, breathing in the upper chest.  When you want to find out how to make it happen, move to a different spot sit or stand upright with your head balanced on the top of your spine looking forward.  When you want to analyse your ideas  move to another location lean back slightly with your head to one side and maybe bring your hand to your chin.

Try to think of something sad whilst standing or sitting up straight and looking towards the ceiling, raise both arms up to the ceiling.  Record your experiences.

Notice how you talk to yourself.  We speak out loud at about 125 words per minute and we can think to ourselves at about 500 words per minute, so fast we are hardly aware of how we can undermine ourselves.  Take 5 minutes and write down everything you are saying to yourself in relation to your day or a project.  Is what you have written true and still valid?  Experiment with the tone of voice that you use to talk to yourself, loud and encouraging and add some stirring music.  If you have something negative to say use a fast cartoon character voice or make the voice ridiculously slow.

If you are worried about an interview or meeting with a colleague, take a moment to stop and notice how you are picturing the people involved.  In your minds eye reduce them to midgets and discover the effect it has on you.

Keep a daily diary to explore which ideas do and don't work for you.

9 Tips for Thinking for  Success

1. Make time for relaxation - creative ideas often come when we are doing something relaxing away from our desks
2. Develop all your senses Â? seeing, hearing, feeling, smell and taste
3. Review -Keep a daily diary/learning log to explore which ideas do and don't work for you
4. Write down your goals, draw them as pictures and make collages and review them regularly
5. Take regular exercise, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep
6. Notice patterns and connections in people and projects Â? be flexible
7. Take control of your own brain Â? you can change your internal pictures
8. Find ways to still or change your internal dialogue  (Meditation, deep breathing, brain dump (see above)
9. Maintain good posture  - be aware of how you sit or stand affects your thinking processes

Katrina Patterson has been an INLPTA Certified NLP Trainer since 1995 and started learning about NLP in 1988.   An eclectic therapist (using anything that works), storyteller, consultant, writer and natural vision improvement trainer who is training in the Feldenkrais Method of Awareness and teaches Bones for Life. She works in busines and is a sessional lecturer with FLL, Birkbeck College University of London, she speaks regularly at conferences around the world.

katrina@key2.demon.co.uk     Key 2 Potential   01895 255063

Author: Katrina Patterson
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