Neuro Linguistic Programming – what is it?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is often described as the study of human behaviour, and the key to human excellence. NLP is an excellent range of skills, tools and techniques to support effective communication and understanding how we can influence others. NLP also helps us to understand ourselves better – so we can get more out of our every thought and action.
NLP comprises three areas:
Neuro -our minds and our thinking
Linguistic -the language we use (internally and externally) and how it affects us
Programming -the sequences of our actions (and habits) and how they help us to achieve our goals
History of NLP
Neuro Linguistic Programming was created by a number of talented individuals in the USA in the 1970’s. The two that most people will quote are John Grinder and Richard Bandler. However they could not have created such a useful and effective resource without a whole team of experts. Individuals that include Frank Pucelik, Fritz Perls and Virginia Satir.
Between John and Richard, they created this field of knowledge through studying others’ behaviours -most notably by choosing the top performing thinkers and therapists at the time. This could be why NLP is often assumed to be more of a therapeutic intervention, although it is actually about excellence in the understanding of human behaviour.
The third party, who was tremendously influential was Frank Pucelik, though due to personal reasons (we are told) there is little ever mentioned about Frank, once Richard and John went their own way.
Since its birth in the 70’s, NLP has been developed and expanded still further. It supports understanding of thought processes, language patterns and human behaviour. In reality and in practice, NLP is not just one thing. It is a collection of proven skills and techniques that lead to “excellence”.
During their work to develop NLP, John Grinder and Richard Bandler engaged with key individuals who were leaders in their fields. People like Virginia Satir (a very famous family therapist) and Milton Erikson (an internationally renowned hypnotherapist) and by working with these people,
Much of NLP has come from well-documented and internationally accepted science. For example, who hasn’t heard of Pavlov’s dogs, and the science of programmed behaviour?
Hypnotherapy (which is affiliated to NLP, but not necessarily a part of NLP) has roots that go back over 2000 years. Personality typing, psychology of behaviour, rapport, thought patterns, language patterns; all of these elements, taken alone, are well-accepted entities.
NLP can bring some or all of these useful skills together, helping to support all of us in the quest for excellence, in whatever we choose to do.
Confused about the best way to describe NLP? There is NO “one way”
It may be interesting to note that NLP has much more than a straightforward definition. When reducing it to its barest essence, here’s how a few of the top people in NLP describe it:
- “NLP is the study of the structure of subjective experience”
- “NLP is whatever works”
- “NLP is an attitude and a methodology which leave behind a trail of techniques”
- “NLP is an accelerated learning strategy for the detection and utilization of patterns in the
world”
NLP is often used by sports professionals and coaches, but you don’t have to be an athlete to use it. You may want to be more successful, confident, thinner, richer or just happier.
Understanding the limiting beliefs and behaviours that create the present state and replacing them with the resources needed and the state of mind that is empowering and life changing.
RESEARCH AND LINKS: For more information on NLP, including research.
