Importance of neurolinguistic programming

NLP is the acronym for Neuro-Linguistic Programming and consists of the use of understanding the functioning of the human mind to reach the maximum possible potential, whether in the area of emotions, business, relationships, sports, etc. In fact, NLP is also defined as the science that studies human excellence.

In simple terms, NLP is a technology, that is, a tool that allows us to reprogram our own mind and that of others, so that we can install mental programs that allow us to obtain the results we want in life.

To understand the concept of NLP well, it is necessary to review each acronym separately:

P = Programming: People have mental programs that control our emotions, thoughts and actions.

N = Neuro: It is related to the mind, neurons, the connections between neurons called synapses and the ability to create new neural connections or neuronal neuroplasticity.

L = Linguistics: The way in which people express themselves, think and therefore experience reality. "We think through language."

Origin of Neurolinguistic Programming

Neurolinguistic Programming, NLP, was born in the 70s, as a result of a study on human excellence, by two professors from the University of Santa Cruz (California), Richard Bandler and John Grinder, in search of a model that could really help people in a simple and effective way, since they did not find anything useful and realistic in the therapeutic approaches of the moment (psychoanalysis, psychiatry, psychology, etc.).

Questioning how exceptional beings do to be exceptional, they investigated the functioning of the brain at practical levels for the person, studying with the teachers who then stood out in their profession for some individual mark that distinguished them from others, that is, how they had generated their own success processes.

To do this, they studied and analyzed Virginia Satir, Milton H. Erickson, Fritz Perls, among others, investigating "how they do to" achieve success where others failed miserably. Thus began the "modeling of excellence", constituting a model or pattern of study and work that focuses directly on the unconscious neurological processes -programming- of the person, training them to change their behaviors for others more useful and effective and giving them the tools to develop their full innate potential. (NLP Institute, nd)

Based on the data obtained through all their investigations, Bandler and Grinder concluded that the procedure they used with excellent results was the use of a very particular communication pattern. From this they elaborated the system that today is used as a generic learning system or as a therapy: NLP, where the mind and language can be programmed in such a way that they act on the body and behavior of the individual.

Bandler and Grinder state that a well-trained therapist can achieve effective results in his patients with only one or two exercises, unlike other psychotherapeutic systems in which results are obtained after several years of treatment (psychoanalysis).

Once these studies were carried out, John Grinder and Richard Bandler developed their own techniques for the identification of such a model and formally gave their contribution the name of "Neuro-linguistic Programming", which symbolizes the relationship between the mind, the language and the organism. (NLP, nd)

In subsequent years, NLP has developed various and very valuable tools and skills, aimed at optimizing communication and favoring change, all within very broad professional fields that include consulting, psychotherapy, education, health, creativity and leadership.

NLP is a science devoid of theory, since it is based on the observation of human behavior in all its aspects and on the conscious learning of what the individual already knows how to do. It is therefore totally practical. "It is worn."

NLP is based on these two fundamental presuppositions:

Map is not equal to territory. As human beings, we can never learn reality. We are only capable of knowing our perceptions of our own reality. Thus, we experience and react to the world around us, mainly through our sensory representation systems. In fact, it is not reality, but our maps (interpretations) of reality that determine behavior and that give meaning to behavior. Therefore, it is not reality itself that limits or empowers us, but rather our map of reality. Mind and life are systemic processes. All processes that occur within a human being and between human beings and their environment are systemic in nature. Both our bodies, our societies,as well as our visions of the world and of reality make up an ecology of complex systems

and subsystems that are in continuous interaction and that influence each other. It is never possible to totally isolate a part of the whole.

In diagram 1 he details the origin of the research, contributions, collaborations and studies that have given rise to NLP and its areas of use in society:

Neurolinguistic Programming Diagram

Principles of NLP

Neurolinguistic programming has ten principles, which are mentioned and explained below: (García-Allen, nd)

1. The inside map is unique

One of the principles of NLP refers to the orientation that people have in the world around them. The way a person orients herself has to do with her inner map. In the early stages of life the inner map is simple. However, as we grow, the map becomes more complex and new paths open. The more complete the map, the more successful alternatives the person will have. The world map is individual, it is built through our own experiences, so each person has their own map and no two maps are the same.

2. The best map is the one that offers more than one path

As discussed in the previous point, the more complete map is also more accurate and will offer more opportunities to reach an objective or solve the problem. This has to do with flexibility and the ability to react in various ways to a life event. The map is not the territory it represents, but if it is correct it will have a structure similar to the territory and will be more useful.

3. Every behavior has a positive intention

This may be one of the most discussed NLP principles. This point refers to the fact that each person and each behavior has an intrinsic positive intention. It may be, for example, that someone doubts that a smoker has a positive intention to smoke. But according to this principle, the smoker could smoke to relax or to be socially accepted. NLP tries to redirect that

positive intention towards a more adaptive and appropriate behavior pattern for the person.

4. The structure of the experience

This principle shows how each experience is composed of a certain structure. Every thought, feeling, memory or experience is made up of a series of elements. This means that if each experience has a structure, thanks to a change in its composition, its effect can be changed.

5. All problems have solutions

This principle refers to the fact that all problems have a solution. Although it may seem utopian, since, sometimes, certain solutions cannot be carried out. At other times, there will be problems that do not have a clear solution. This has to do with the map that the person has, since the fewer roads or alternatives they have, the fewer solutions they can give to the specific situation. Furthermore, the interpretation of the problem has to do with the content of the map. A richer map that offers more resources will perceive certain situations as less problematic.

6. Everyone has the strength they need

This is one of the principles of NLP that has to do with the personal development of the person, since it refers to the fact that each person has the necessary strength to achieve what they propose. The problem arises when self-confidence is affected by the limiting beliefs of the person.

7. The body and mind are part of the same system

This principle refers to the fact that the human being is body and mind. In other words, every feeling and every emotion affects the body. This is also true in reverse. For example, a disease that affects the body will have repercussions on a psychological level. Therefore, for NLP, thought changes that modify bodily problems are important.

8. The meaning of the communication depends on the result

It is necessary to establish clear communication guidelines, which do not give rise to misunderstandings or the option of biased personal interpretations by the recipient of the message.

9. There are no failures but opportunities

When a person is continuously in motion, he has different paths to reach the goal. Failures must be seen as opportunities, that is, as measures that allow one to overcome and move in the desired direction.

10. If something doesn't work, you have to try something else

Sometimes people insist on doing something that doesn't work, and they don't change the way they act. At this point, the famous phrase "don't expect different results if you always do the same thing" makes sense. NLP practitioners aim to help you recognize and modify those behaviors that are not effective and that make you trip, over and over, over the same stone.

A training in neurolinguistic programming focused on the workplace allows to achieve the following objectives:

Accelerate the ability to learn and manage change, initiating it, maintaining it and directing personal and work interests Set clear and precise objectives that encourage and increase the possibility of achieving them Generate trust relationships for the search and subsequent maintenance of work Ask questions and enrich the language to clarify information and increase the level of understanding with others Be more flexible to expand the ability to choose and resolve work situations that arise on a daily basis Address stress and criticism in a constructive way, through different tools Model excellence and develop proven successful strategies Raise the level of awareness of oneself and others, with the aim of enhancing communication.Optimize the ability to lead others Identify which areas, personally and organizationally, are not working well and clearly find appropriate solutions Develop communication and negotiation skills.

NLP and decision making

All the decisions we have made in our life, whether in the workplace, sentimental, family or personal, have brought us to this moment. The decisions

They are a crucial part of our life, from the simplest one like, which direction to take to get home, or a more complicated one like, what career to study, or whether or not I should continue in a job that I don't like. All the development in our passage through this world is full of decisions, but are we really making the decisions ourselves or are we leaving that responsibility to others? It is a question that we should all ask ourselves.

There are people who spend their lives blaming other people for not having done a specific activity (studying, getting married, traveling, etc.), and although at some point they have been determined by the limitations of other people, have they ever tried change that reality? Have you sat down to think and realized that it was time to make your own decisions? Did they change what they didn't like? Or they preferred to continue at the same point, angry with others, for not letting them do one thing or another. The easiest thing without a doubt is not to take responsibility for anything, especially when the decision-making has led to a negative experience.

Decision making in NLP is a very important aspect. According to Neurolinguistic Programming, in each of us there is a "base activity" associated with decision-making, where a series of processes can be located, which are both faster, the more we know ourselves and our particular scale of values. In other words, the more knowledge a person has of herself, the better she will make her decisions. (Learn NLP,

2013)

Making decisions is something that many times becomes problematic for a person: scenarios of confusion are generated, of a certain state of "mental alienation" when going round and round an issue and not reaching any conclusion… by not being able to solve something that it is known that it has to be resolved anyway.

The dangerous thing is that this sometimes generates immobility, the person instead of deciding, "takes refuge" in non-decision, and in non-doing… Or he decides based on the thought or opinion of the people around him… it is like a "leaf in the wind."

Phases in the decision-making process

Identify the problem Analyze the problem Prepare the list of alternatives and collect information on each of them Evaluate the different alternatives Choice of alternative, implementation and evaluation of the results of the decision made.

Barriers to decision making

Employing the aforementioned phases for the decision-making process will always lead to a more satisfactory solution. However, there are some barriers or obstacles that can deviate from such a process.

The first obstacle is not participating in the rational process proposed for decision making. Automatically returns to customs and therefore the decisions made may not be the most appropriate. Another problem may be that some of the phases are not carried out properly: definition of the problem and analysis of the situation, alternatives not precisely identified and choosing an alternative that is not maximized as thought.