What is NLP?
NeuroLinguistic Programming or NLP is the practice of understanding how different individuals organise the way they think, feel, and behave in order to produce certain results. It provides individuals a method through which they can model outstanding performances that have been achieved by leaders in this field. Another use of NLP is for personal development.
Mental Maps- What are they? And how are they used?
Each and every person has different ways of communicating their life’s experiences. There are some that express themselves through pictures, while others like to talk about things, and others prefer to be vocal about how they feel about certain things or certain life situations. The whole perspective of such individuals is based on their feelings.
A Mental Map in NLP is a technique which is used to express various human thought processing patterns, associations, pictures that are pre-existent in an individual’s mind:
Neuro
In NLP, the first and foremost mental map is known as the first access.
Everyone has a different way of filtering and processing all the data that is being absorbed through the five senses in this world. The first access mental map built by taking into consideration various factors such as different sounds, smells, internal sensations and images, tactile awareness, and certain tastes that are formed as a result of the human neurological filtering process.
Linguistic
The second mental map in NLP is known as the Linguistic Map which is also called a Linguistic Representation.
Once the first access is determined, then a personal meaning is given to all the information that has been gathered. The linguistic representation is built by assigning language to all the information received in the first access, thus forming everyday conscious awareness.
Programming
This is the behavioural response that occurs as a result of neurological filtering processes and the subsequent linguistic map.
How does NLP work?
A brand new approach: Neuro Linguistic Programming provides different practical ways by which you can alter the way that you think, or view past events in order to get a new improved approach to a better life.
Modify Limitations: NLP is best used to detect, identify, and modify various human limitations that are in an individual’s mind map of the entire world.
Don’t confuse NLP with hypnotherapy: NLP should never be confused with hypnotherapy as NLP uses a conscious approach by the use of language to bring about changes in someone’s thoughts and behaviour.
NLP uses vocal processing: Many NLP practitioners detect one’s preference through language processing. It is done by the use of certain phrases such as “I see your point” that may signal a visual preference. Or some use “I hear your point” may signal an auditory preference.
As an NLP therapist, you must know how to identify a person’s preference and build a therapeutic framework around it accordingly. The therapeutic framework includes various techniques such as building rapport, information-gathering and setting a goal.
