Why Neuro-Linguistic Programming Is Worth Studying

Is it worth it to study neuro-linguistic programming? There’s plenty to be gained from learning NLP, but you should know what you’re getting into.

Maybe you’re interested in acquiring skills to make you a better professional or coach. Maybe you are trying to cure addictive tendencies and have heard NLP can help.

Or, you could be interested in improving your quality of life from the inside instead of using harmful chemicals.

While you might be able to learn some of the techniques by yourself, you might be better off taking a course and learning from a professional.

What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming?

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) examines the dynamics between thinking processes (neuro) and words (linguistic), and how the two combine to affect behavior. It was co-created in 1975 by a man named Richard Bandler, who wrote a book called The Structure of Magic.

NLP looks at how we communicate both internally and externally, how we process information, and how we use stored information to achieve our goals.

At the root of NLP, you are working to improve the relationship between actions, thoughts,feelings, and words to become a more effective person.

Let’s take a look at what neuro-linguistic programming can do in various settings. These insights will help you determine if NLP is something you should study.

NLP In A Business Setting

Most people can draw the obvious conclusion that improved communication and being more effective would help in business. But neuro-linguistic programming applies to all levels of business. Here are some examples:

• Improved communication among employees through emotional intelligence training
• More effective leadership of self and employees
• Increased confidence in public settings, teaching effective coping strategies for stress and anxiety
• An increased ability to persuade, leading to better negotiation and more sales

Once an individual is aware of how they are thinking and know specific techniques, they can change and improve. Whether working with your own abilities or trying to close a sale, NLP examines the internal states of people and cultures and provides tools to improve them.

NLP For Addictions

Neuro-linguistic programming has often been used to cure phobias and eliminate anxiety. There are many models and interventions within the umbrella of what we call NLP, many of which can be used to cure addictions as well.

One of the many NLP sub–disciplines that we can look at is the Stages of Change Model. Practitioners of this model- and NLP as a whole- suggest that change doesn’t always happen in one step, but that a series of changes can take place in order for last changing to happen.

Often times, interventions to inspire change, focus on the behavior at a superficial level. While this sometimes works, NLP believes that sometimes, you must get to the root of the problem in order to get results.

As an example, pretend someone is addicted to smoking cigarettes and would like to stop, but has no idea how to get started.

You can examine their behavior through 5 different levels:

1. Environmental level- what is around you when the behavior takes place?
2. Behavioral Level- what are you doing?
3. Capability Level- what are you able to do?
4. Belief Level- what do you believe you should do?
5. Identity Level- what do you think about yourself?

Any of these five levels could hold the real answer as to why someone is smoking. NLP examines the relationship between thought and action at all five of these levels, which helps make the person more aware of their behavior. But awareness is not the goal.

Different than many other modalities, NLP does not focus on insight and understanding, but on change. So, NLP provides tools and resources to change how people are operating. There are different techniques for different levels.

In other words, if a problem is in the einvironment, you simly channge the environemnt. If the problem exists at the identity level, you help the client change how they think of themselves.

Personal Effectiveness

While NLP is great if you’re in business or battling addiction, it also has many benefits in your daily life, too. Your daily effectiveness can be improved through -linguistic programming.

Forming New Habits

Many of the interventions help the user to get outside of their own mind and see situations in their own life objectively.

One model, called perceptual positions, can help individuals identify and objectify behaviors by changing one’s perception of it. Within the perceptual positions model are first, second and third perceptual positions.

When we’re in the first position, we see the world through our own eyes and filters.

In second, we see the world through the filters of another person.

In third, we see the two people or an entire situation played out from a more neutral position.

How can this help you form new habits, you ask? Pretend you struggle to get to the gym regularly, and that you struggle to find motivation.

How might seeing your sedentary lifestyle through the eyes of a loved one (second position) feel? What would your next door neighbor say (third position) about your body or habits?

Perceptual positions are one of the myriad of interventions within NLP that can help you replace bad habits with new ones.

Flexibility

NLP teaches you to make a habit of finding more options in everyday situations.

What kind of options? Think about something that really grinds your gears, like sitting in traffic on your morning commute to work, or finding socks on the floor when you just cleaned it.

Because NLP deconstructs the words you’re using to perceive the world around you, it can perhaps show you what you’re saying that makes you upset.

Obviously, sitting in traffic can be frustrating. But if you become aware of what you’re saying that sets you off, you give yourself an opportunity to replace that statement with more effective language.

But NLP is not about forcing yourself to have better internal dialog. It provides you with tools to make the process of speaking to yourself more effectively, easy and permanent.

Is NLP For You?

Whether you’re in business, fighting an addiction or simply interested in being more effective, neuro-linguistic programming might be the solution you’re looking for.

NLP focuses on bringing awareness to the relationship between your thoughts and words. Identifying these patterns and relationships allow users to make changes in their professional and personal lives.

Some benefits of NLP include better communication with self, relationship partners, and employees, deep awareness of behaviors and thought patterns, eliminating bad habits, and learned flexibility in any situation life throws at you. The benefits of studying NLP are broad no matter who you are and what your goals may be.

If you’re interested in purchasing courses that can help you help others lose weight, quit smoking, or learn hypnosis and NLP, browse through our courses. Alternatively, you can learn more about NLP and the various techniques on our blog.