Neuro-Linguistic Programming

As science advances, people look for tools that allow them to grow at a particular and social level. According to the way they perceive the things and events that surround them through the five senses, they find answers in neurolinguistic programming , a model that also helps to reveal the human being’s mode of communication with himself and with his environment.

In a simple way, it can be said that neurolinguistic programming is a tool that allows the mind to be reprogrammed. Thus, mental programs can be implemented that will allow you to achieve your goals in life. To better understand this concept, each word that composes it can be examined:

• Programming: Subjects have mental programs that dominate emotions, thoughts and actions.
• Neuro: It is related to the mind, neurons, the links between neurons referred to as synapses and the ability to establish new neuronal connections or neuronal neuroplasticity.
• Linguistics: It is the way in which people speak, think and, by themselves, experience situations.

Source

The year 1972, marks the birth of NLP ., When the student Richard Bandler, who attended classes in philosophy , logic, mathematics and computer science, at the University of California, USA; star in an argument. It was about the lack of pragmatism in psychology courses .

He stated that more practical things should be taught, such as Gestalt therapy. The class teacher, John Grinder, agrees with the restless student. However, he argues that the University did not have someone competent in teaching Gestalt therapy.

Bandler decides, to show his own outline for a seminar in a class offered by a regular teacher, with the appropriate curricular value of a normal university class. This is how Bandler, student and Grinder teacher, unite.

History of neurolinguistic programming

The term neurolinguistics is mentioned and recorded by Korzybski for the first time , in his book Science and Sanity (Science and Health) in 1933. But its beginning as such, occurs in the 70s, at the University of California, USA. The mathematician, Gestalt psychologist and computer expert , Richard Bandler and the linguist John Grinder, worked on the behavior patterns of the human being.

The origin of his explorations was inquiry, to deduce how using communication and language caused changes in people’s behavior. They sought to explain the models and techniques that managed to reveal the fascination and imagination of human behavior and expression.

NLP was originally conceived for therapeutic methods, but the surprising results obtained caused its use to branch out. Thus, psychologists, doctors, educators, professionals from different areas and large-scale firms use it, either for individual improvement or for optimization of human groups.

Characteristics

• Neuro-linguistic programming helps human beings to grow, creating an excellent quality of life.
• It displays a practical and powerful approach in achieving personal changes since it has a succession of techniques associated with each other that allow to achieve the desired behavior.
• It is an effective instrument of communication, influence and persuasion, since, through the art of communication, the brain can be guided to achieve optimal effects.

Beginning

There are some interesting principles of neurolinguistic programming, among which the following stand out:

• The inner map is unique: It refers to the orientation that people have of the world around them, it has to do with their inner map. The more complete the map, the more successful alternatives. The map is individual, it is built from experiences, each person has their map, no two are alike.
• Every behavior has a positive intention: Every person and every behavior has an intrinsic positive purpose. NLP redirects that intention towards a more adaptable and convenient behavior model for the person.
• All problems have a solution: Although it seems utopian, since sometimes definitive solutions are not found, it has to do with the map of the person. The fewer roads you have, the fewer solutions you will find. A rich map offers more alternatives.
• Everyone has the strength they need: Related to personal development, each subject has the necessary strength to achieve what they propose.
• The body and the mind are part of the same system: The human being is body and mind, every feeling and every emotion affects the body.
• If something doesn’t work, you have to try something else: Sometimes you insist on doing something that doesn’t work, they don’t change the way you act. NLP practitioners propose to help recognize and modify these behaviors to be effective.

What is neurolinguistic programming for?

NLP helps improve the quality of life . It has many fields of action such as coaching, psychological therapy, sales, education, communication, human relations. It is used a lot in personal development techniques, such as achieving objectives using internal resources, knowing the mental processes, to improve communication and relationships.

Neuro-linguistic programming does not expect to be a theory, but is a model that experiments with the factors that intervene in the ways of thinking, communicating and behaving. It refers to the maneuvers of a procedure.

Techniques

Two of the most used techniques in NLP are explained below.

• Rapport: It is indicated in circumstances where it is essential to develop communication with people in the environment, whether professional or private. It seeks to create an environment of solidarity and trust where there are no misrepresentations, disputes or lawsuits and communication is agile. Verbal language is used here, body language being very important.
• Anchoring: It is a technique that reduces the emotion of discomfort, anxiety or the anguish of a stressful situation. This practice has its seat in the traditional conditioning of teaching psychology.

Activities

The following stand out:

• Cure of phobias, fears or traumas: With the cure of phobias there is a double dissociation, or what is the same, the involuntary submodalities of a certain event are changed twice. It absolutely decreases the emotional impetus that is installed in the brain.
• Association – dissociation: In this case even negative emotions, bad moods or physical pain, have a positive end. All actions done consciously or unconsciously, as well as any behavior has a positive intention.
• Timeline : With this activity you can change the root of all beliefs which are a reflection of external life. With the timeline, a large number of problems can be solved, even further enhancing the positive resources that are within.

Neurolinguistic programming applications

As mentioned above, the use of neurolinguistic programming encompasses many fields, including:

Psychotherapeutic

The first books on NLP had a psychotherapeutic approach that is still used today. Its two main therapeutic uses are: as a complement to therapists who practice other disciplines and as a specific therapy called neurolinguistic psychotherapy.

If the original goals of neurolinguistic programming were therapeutic, over time its patterns have adapted to other fields, such as interpersonal communication and persuasion. They include business communication, management training, sales, sports, interpersonal influencing, coaching, teamwork, public speaking , negotiation, and teaching.

In education

Starting from the basis that educating is communicating, neurolinguistic programming extends the skills to know the importance of verbal and non-verbal language . It does this by raising awareness of the processes by which information is received, stored and transmitted through the senses. If you can be a good communicator, students will vividly perceive what is being shared.

Importance

Neuro-linguistic programming is of valuable importance for the personal and professional advancement of individuals . Investigate the way in which human beings perceive everything that surrounds them, through the senses . They become very organized beings. They store information through images.

Books

Here is a selection of books by various influential authors throughout the history of NLP; main reading for anyone interested in learning about this discipline.

• Introduction to NLP . Joseph O’Connor and John Seymour
• From toads to princes . Richard Bandler and John Grinder
• The Structure of Magic Vol I. Richard Bandler and John Grinder
• Trance-form. Practical course in hypnosis and effective communication. Richard Bandler and John Grinder.
• The power of the word. Robert Dilts