Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a modelling approach that offers a variety of ways to deal with life’s opportunities and challenges. It is a very practical discipline, determined to bring results into the real world.

It starts with an attitude of curiosity: we’re interested in how things work. This then leads us to study and modelling successful people in a variety of situations, these models are continually tested and refined.

From this modelling comes several techniques, so that what is learned can be repeated and passed on to others.

The test of a model is always: does it work in the context we’re working in? It is very much a model-test-refine-test approach. That's the beauty of NLP, as we’re focused on what works, rather than the theory behind it. Yet, we keep up to date with scientific research as that gives rich material to explore and test.

Good training will not only teach how to use the techniques, but also the awareness and skill needed to adapt them and create new ones based on the responses from individual clients.

WHAT DO THE WORDS NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING MEAN?

The name neuro-linguistic programming originated when co-founder Richard Bandler was stopped by the police for alleged speeding. He was asked his profession and came up with the name on the spur of the moment after glancing at the titles of some books in his car. Despite this, the name gives a useful description of what we do.

Neuro means relating to the nervous system. The information we take in through our senses influences our neurological function. If we improve the accuracy with which we take in information, i.e. we listen better and are more observant, so we are more open to our own and other people’s experience. This means our brains have better information to help make decisions.

We also increase our ability to communicate effectively – both consciously and unconsciously.

Linguistic is about language.  As we understand and are more aware of language – the words themselves as well as their structure and the way they’re spoken (speed, voice tone, rhythm) – so we get better information for making decisions and communicating consciously and unconsciously.

Programming here refers to habits. We develop habits, some useful, some less useful. NLP teaches us how we can develop and encourage useful habits and reduce less useful habits.

And lo!  neuro-linguistic programming, – using language to programme our nervous system into more useful habits. Success is often about developing the right habits in any situation.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming was created more than 40 years ago by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. They studied and worked with some of the most talented psychiatrists and therapists of the day: Milton Erickson, Virginia Satir, and Fritz Perls. Contrary to the majority of the academics at the time, however, they took a different approach in that they focused on bringing about measurable change, rather than merely theorising.

Bandler and Grinder wanted to know the psychological strategies great performers used – what they did and how they did it. They devised ways of modelling these strategies so others could replicate their performance.

They then tested and refined the model with their clients. As different groups heard about its benefits it spread across a whole range of human endeavours, including coaching, art, sport, and business.

Throughout its history, it has had several strong advocates and several strong detractors. The detractors usually mistake the approach as an academic rather than a modelling discipline, and this misconception is not helped by the way some trainers can be a little too arrogant and too enthusiastic about the claims they make.

WHY IS NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING SO USEFUL?

NLP can help you improve your communication and influence skills quite significantly. Not only that, but practising NLP techniques will increase your resilience and your ability to master change – just as working out in a gym will build your physical strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Irrespective of your profession, say, Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Students, Entrepreneurs, Chartered Accountants, Psychologists, Businessmen, Lawyers so on and so forth, NLP helps you to overcome the crisis and problems one faces in their professional life. In your personal life, it can help you connect to your purpose, overcome the psychological blocks, and help you navigate your own hero’s or heroine’s journey.