"Will beats skill - the tougher you are mentally, the better the chance you have to win." - David Martin
Let’s begin at the beginning, in regard to outcomes and goals. The more precisely and positively you can define what you want, and the more you program your brain to seek out and notice possibilities, the more likely you are to get what you want.
Opportunities exist when they are recognized as opportunities.
To live the life you want, you need to know what you want. Being effective in the world means producing the results you choose. The first step is to choose. If you don’t, there are plenty of people willing to choose for you.
How do you know what you want? You make it up. Now there are some rules for doing this, so that you have the best chance of success. In NLP, using the appropriate language, you’ll choose a well formed outcome. That is, an outcome that is well formed in terms of the following criteria.
First, it must be stated in the positive. It’s easier to move toward what you want and away from what you don’t want. However, you can’t move toward something if you don’t know what it is.
Here’s an example, just for a moment think of a rabbit.
Are you thinking of a rabbit? Good.
Now, stop thinking of the rabbit while you finish reading this paragraph. Don’t let the idea of a rabbit come into your mind for the next 60 seconds or so. Are you not thinking of that pesky rabbit? (ode to Bugs!)
Now think of what you’ll be doing tomorrow…
To get rid of that persistent rabbit, you have to think of something else that is positive.
The point that I’m trying to make here is that the brain can only understand a negative by turning it into a positive. In order to avoid something, you must first know what it is you are avoiding, and then keep your attention on it. You have to think of it to know what not to think of, just as you have to keep an object in view in your attempt to avoid bumping into it. Whatever you resist, persists.
This is one reason why giving up smoking is so difficult – you continually have to think about smoking in order to give it up.
Secondly, you must play an active part; the outcome must be reasonably within your control. Outcomes that rely primarily on other people taking action are not well formed. If people do not respond the way you want, your stuck.
Concentrate instead on what you need to do to elicit those responses. So for example, instead of waiting for someone to make friends, think of what you could do to become friendly with them.
Think of your outcome as specifically as possible, what will you see, hear and feel? Imagine it through and describe it to yourself or write it down in terms of who, what, where, when, and how. The fuller the idea of what you want, the more your brain can rehearse it and notice opportunities to achieve it. In what context do you want it? Are there contexts where you don’t want it?
How will you know that you have achieved your outcome? What is the sensory-based evidence that will let you know that you have what you want? What will you see, hear and feel when you have achieved it? Some outcomes are so open ended that they could take several lifetimes to achieve. You might also like to set a time limit on when you want to have it.
Do you have the resources to initiate and maintain the outcome? What do you need? Do you already have it? If not, how are you going to get it? This is an issue that needs to be thoroughly explored.
These resources may be internal (specific skills, or positive state of mind), or external. If you feel you need external resources, you may need to set a subsidiary outcome to get them.
The outcome needs to be an appropriate size. It could be too big, in which case it needs to be split into several smaller, more easily achievable objectives. For example, you might set outcome to be a top tennis player. This is obviously not going to happen by next week, it’s too vague and long-term.
It needs breaking down into smaller chunks, so ask yourself, “What stops me from achieving this?” This question will highlight some obvious problems. For example you don’t have a good tennis racket, and you require coaching from a professional player.
Now convert these problems into outcomes by asking yourself, “What do I want instead?” I need to buy a good racket and find a coach. The problem is simply an outcome in reverse.
You may have to go through this process several times with a very big outcome before arriving at a reasonably sized and achievable first step. Even the longest journey starts with the first step (in the right direction of course).
On the other hand, the outcome may seem too small and trivial to motivate you. For example, I might set out to tidy up the office a small and not very exciting task. To bring some energy to this, I need to forge a link with a larger, more important, more motivating outcome.
So I ask myself, “If I got this outcome, what would it do for me?” In this example, it might be a necessary step in order to create a working space for doing something else that is much more interesting. Having made that connection, I can tackle the small outcome of energy drawing from the larger purpose.
The final frame around choosing outcomes is ecology. No one exists in isolation; we are all part of larger systems, family, work, friendship networks, and society in general. You need to consider the consequences of achieving your outcome in the context of these wider relationships. Would there be any undesirable by-products? What would you have to give up, or take on, to achieve it?
For example you might want more freelance work. This would take up more time, so you’ll spend less time with your family. Achieving a big contract might increase your workflow to such an extent that you could not do the job adequately. Make sure your outcome is in harmony with you as a whole person.
Outcomes are not about getting what you want at the expense of others. The most valuable and satisfying results are achieved by negotiating and cooperating to establish shared outcomes where everyone wins. This automatically takes care of the ecology issue.
These sorts of issues may make you revise your outcome, or change to another outcome that serves the same intention without having the undesirable byproducts. The classic example of choosing an un-ecological outcome was King Midas. He wanted everything he touched to turn to gold. He soon found out that instead of an asset, this ability was a distinct liability.
Be all or be part of what you were designed to be. The choice is uniquely yours.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Friday, June 29, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The Basics of Communications
"To sit back and let fate play its hand out and never influence it is not the way man was meant to operate." - John Glenn
Communication is a multifaceted word that covers just about any interaction with others: casual conversation, persuading, teaching, and negotiating.
What does communication mean? The word is a static noun, but really, communication is a cycle or loop that involves at least two people. You cannot communicate with the waxwork dummy, what you do is meaningless, it gets no response. When you communicate with another person, you perceive their response, and react with your own thoughts and feelings.
Your ongoing behavior is generated by your internal responses to what you see and hear. It is only by paying attention to the other person that you have any idea at all about what to say or do next. Your partner is responding to your behavior in the same way.
You communicate with your words, with your voice quality, and with your body: postures, gestures, expressions. You cannot, not communicate. Some messages conveyed even if you say nothing and keep still. So communication involves a message that passes from one person to another.
How do you know that the message you give is the message they received? You have probably had the experience of making a neutral remark to someone, and being amazed at the meaning they read into it. How can you be sure the meaning they get is the meaning you intend?
There is an interesting exercise used in NLP training courses. You choose a simple sentence for example, "it's a nice day today" and three basic emotional messages you want to convey with it. You might choose to say it in a happy way, a menacing way and a sarcastic way.
You say your sentence in the three ways to another person without telling her. The three messages you wish to convey. She then tells you the emotional messages she actually got from your sentence. Sometimes what you intended matches what she perceived. Often it does not.
You can then explore what you would have to do differently with your voice and body language to ensure the message she gets is the same as the message you sent.
Remember, communication is so much more than the words we say. These form only a small part of our expressiveness as human beings. Research shows that in a presentation before a group of people 55% of the impact is determined by your body language -- posture, gestures and eye contact -- 38% by your tone of voice, and only 7% by your words or the content of your presentation.
Of course the exact figures will differ in different situations and clearly body line which and tonality make an enormous difference to the impact and meaning of what we say. To emphasize its now, what we say, but how we say it that makes a difference.
Margaret Thatcher spent a great deal of time and effort altering her voice quality. Tonality and body language determine whether the word "Hello" is a simple recognition, a threat, a putdown, or a delightful greeting.
Actors do not really work with words, they are trained in tonality and body language. Any actor needs to be able to convey at least a dozen different shades of meeting with the word "no". All of us expressed many shades of meaning in everyday conversation, and probably also have a dozen different ways to say "no", only we do not consciously think about them.
If the words are the content of the message, then the postures, gestures and expression and voice tonality are the context in which the message is embedded, and together they make the meaning of the communication.
So there is no guarantee that the other person understands the meaning you are trying to communicate. The answer goes back to the outcome, acuity and flexibility. You have an outcome for the communication. You notice what responses you're getting, and you keep changing what you do or say until you get the response you want.
To be an effective communicator, act on the principle that: The meaning of the communication is the response that you get.
Master your communications and you will master your world.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Communication is a multifaceted word that covers just about any interaction with others: casual conversation, persuading, teaching, and negotiating.
What does communication mean? The word is a static noun, but really, communication is a cycle or loop that involves at least two people. You cannot communicate with the waxwork dummy, what you do is meaningless, it gets no response. When you communicate with another person, you perceive their response, and react with your own thoughts and feelings.
Your ongoing behavior is generated by your internal responses to what you see and hear. It is only by paying attention to the other person that you have any idea at all about what to say or do next. Your partner is responding to your behavior in the same way.
You communicate with your words, with your voice quality, and with your body: postures, gestures, expressions. You cannot, not communicate. Some messages conveyed even if you say nothing and keep still. So communication involves a message that passes from one person to another.
How do you know that the message you give is the message they received? You have probably had the experience of making a neutral remark to someone, and being amazed at the meaning they read into it. How can you be sure the meaning they get is the meaning you intend?
There is an interesting exercise used in NLP training courses. You choose a simple sentence for example, "it's a nice day today" and three basic emotional messages you want to convey with it. You might choose to say it in a happy way, a menacing way and a sarcastic way.
You say your sentence in the three ways to another person without telling her. The three messages you wish to convey. She then tells you the emotional messages she actually got from your sentence. Sometimes what you intended matches what she perceived. Often it does not.
You can then explore what you would have to do differently with your voice and body language to ensure the message she gets is the same as the message you sent.
Remember, communication is so much more than the words we say. These form only a small part of our expressiveness as human beings. Research shows that in a presentation before a group of people 55% of the impact is determined by your body language -- posture, gestures and eye contact -- 38% by your tone of voice, and only 7% by your words or the content of your presentation.
Of course the exact figures will differ in different situations and clearly body line which and tonality make an enormous difference to the impact and meaning of what we say. To emphasize its now, what we say, but how we say it that makes a difference.
Margaret Thatcher spent a great deal of time and effort altering her voice quality. Tonality and body language determine whether the word "Hello" is a simple recognition, a threat, a putdown, or a delightful greeting.
Actors do not really work with words, they are trained in tonality and body language. Any actor needs to be able to convey at least a dozen different shades of meeting with the word "no". All of us expressed many shades of meaning in everyday conversation, and probably also have a dozen different ways to say "no", only we do not consciously think about them.
If the words are the content of the message, then the postures, gestures and expression and voice tonality are the context in which the message is embedded, and together they make the meaning of the communication.
So there is no guarantee that the other person understands the meaning you are trying to communicate. The answer goes back to the outcome, acuity and flexibility. You have an outcome for the communication. You notice what responses you're getting, and you keep changing what you do or say until you get the response you want.
To be an effective communicator, act on the principle that: The meaning of the communication is the response that you get.
Master your communications and you will master your world.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Friday, June 22, 2007
Your Unconscious Mind
"Though much is taken, much abides. And though We are not now that strength which in the old days Moved Earth and Heaven, that which we are, we are." - Alfred Lord Tennyson
Although we can consciously take in only a very small amount of information the world offers us, we notice and respond to much more without being aware. Our conscious mind is very limited and seems able to keep track of a maximum of seven variables or pieces of information at one time.
This idea was originally outlined in 1956 by the American psychologist George Miller and a classic paper called "The Magic Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two." These pieces of information do not have a fixed size, they can be anything from driving a car to looking in the rearview mirror.
One way we learn is by consciously mastering small pieces of behavior, and combining them into larger and larger chunks, so they become habitual and unconscious. We formed habit, so we are free to notice other things.
So our conscious is limited to seven plus or minus two pieces of information, either from the internal world of our thoughts, or from the external world. Our unconscious, by contrast, is all the life-giving processes of our body, although we have learned, our past experiences, and all that we might notice, but do not, in the present moment.
The unconscious is much wiser than the conscious mind. The idea of being able to understand an infinitely complex world with a conscious mind that can only hold about seven pieces of information at once, is obviously ludicrous.
The notion of conscious and unconscious is central to this model of how we learn. In NLP, something is conscious when it is in present moment, awareness, as this sentence is right now. Something is unconscious when it is not in present moment awareness.
The background noises that you can hear were probably unconscious until you read the sentence. The memory of your first sight of snow is almost certainly out of conscious awareness. If you have ever helped a young child to learn to ride a bike, you'll be aware of just how unconscious that skill has become in yourself. And the process of turning your last meal into hair and toenails is likely to remain forever unconscious.
We live in a culture which believes that we do most of what we do consciously. Yet most of what we do, and what we do best, we do unconsciously.
By learning to become a master of your unconscious mind, you’ll be come a master of your life.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Although we can consciously take in only a very small amount of information the world offers us, we notice and respond to much more without being aware. Our conscious mind is very limited and seems able to keep track of a maximum of seven variables or pieces of information at one time.
This idea was originally outlined in 1956 by the American psychologist George Miller and a classic paper called "The Magic Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two." These pieces of information do not have a fixed size, they can be anything from driving a car to looking in the rearview mirror.
One way we learn is by consciously mastering small pieces of behavior, and combining them into larger and larger chunks, so they become habitual and unconscious. We formed habit, so we are free to notice other things.
So our conscious is limited to seven plus or minus two pieces of information, either from the internal world of our thoughts, or from the external world. Our unconscious, by contrast, is all the life-giving processes of our body, although we have learned, our past experiences, and all that we might notice, but do not, in the present moment.
The unconscious is much wiser than the conscious mind. The idea of being able to understand an infinitely complex world with a conscious mind that can only hold about seven pieces of information at once, is obviously ludicrous.
The notion of conscious and unconscious is central to this model of how we learn. In NLP, something is conscious when it is in present moment, awareness, as this sentence is right now. Something is unconscious when it is not in present moment awareness.
The background noises that you can hear were probably unconscious until you read the sentence. The memory of your first sight of snow is almost certainly out of conscious awareness. If you have ever helped a young child to learn to ride a bike, you'll be aware of just how unconscious that skill has become in yourself. And the process of turning your last meal into hair and toenails is likely to remain forever unconscious.
We live in a culture which believes that we do most of what we do consciously. Yet most of what we do, and what we do best, we do unconsciously.
By learning to become a master of your unconscious mind, you’ll be come a master of your life.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Creating Rapport - Understanding Predicates
"A man's health can be judged by which he takes two at a time - pills or stairs." - Joan Welsh
We use words to describe our thoughts, so our choice of words will indicate which representational system we're using. Consider three people who have just read the same book.
The first might point out that he saw a lot in it, the examples were well chosen to illustrate the subject and it was written in a sparkling style.
The second might object to the tone of the book; it had a shrill prose style. In fact, he cannot tune into the author's ideas at all, and he would like to tell him so.
The third feels the book dealt with a delicate subject in a balanced way. He liked the way the author touched on all the key top picks, and he grasped the new ideas easily. He felt in sympathy with the author.
They all read the same book. You will notice that each person expressed themselves about the same book in a different way. Regardless of what they thought about it, how they thought about it was different.
One was thinking in pictures, the second in sounds, and the third in feelings. These sensory-based words, adjectives, adverbs and verbs, are called ‘Predicates’ in NLP literature. Habitual use of what kind of predicate will indicate a person's preferred representational system.
It is possible to find out the preferred system, the writer of any book by paying attention to the language that he or she uses. (except for NLP books where the writers may take a more calculated approach to the words they use). Great literature always has a rich and varied mix of predicates, using all the representational systems equally, hence its universal appeal.
Words such as "comprehend", "understand", "think" and "process" are not sensory-based, and so are neutral in terms of representational systems. Academic treatises tend to use them in preference to sensory-based words, perhaps as an unconscious recognition that sensory-based words are more personal to the writer and reader and so less objective.
However, neutral words will be translated differently by the kinesthetic, auditory or visual readers, and give rise to many academic arguments, often over the meaning of the words.
Why? Because everyone thinks they are right.
You may become aware of what sort of words you favor in normal conversation. It is also fascinating to listen to others and discover what sort of sensory-based language they prefer.
Those of you who prefer to think in pictures may like to see if you can identify the colorful language patterns of the people around you. If you think an aesthetically, you could get in touch with the way people put themselves over, and if you think in sounds, we would ask you to listen carefully and tune in to how different people talk.
There are important implications for gaining rapport. The secret of good communication is not so much what you say, but how you say it. To create rapport, match predicates with the other person. You will be speaking their language, and presenting ideas in just the way they think about.
Your ability to do this will depend on two things. Firstly your sensory acuity and noticing, hearing or picking up other people's language patterns. And secondly, having an adequate vocabulary of words in that representational system to respond.
Conversations will not all be in one system, of course, but matching language does wonders for rapport.
You are more likely to gain rapport with the person who thinks in the same way as you, and you discover this by listening to the words he or she uses, regardless of whether you agree with them or not. You might be on the same wavelength, or you might see eye to eye. Then again, you might get a solid understanding. It is a good idea to use and makes of predicates when you address a group of people.
Let the visualizers see what you are saying. Let the auditory thinkers hear you loud and clear, and put yourself over so that the kinesthetic thinkers in the audience can grasp your meaning. Otherwise, why should they listen to you?
You risk two thirds of your audience not following your talk if you confine yourself to explaining it one representational system.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
We use words to describe our thoughts, so our choice of words will indicate which representational system we're using. Consider three people who have just read the same book.
The first might point out that he saw a lot in it, the examples were well chosen to illustrate the subject and it was written in a sparkling style.
The second might object to the tone of the book; it had a shrill prose style. In fact, he cannot tune into the author's ideas at all, and he would like to tell him so.
The third feels the book dealt with a delicate subject in a balanced way. He liked the way the author touched on all the key top picks, and he grasped the new ideas easily. He felt in sympathy with the author.
They all read the same book. You will notice that each person expressed themselves about the same book in a different way. Regardless of what they thought about it, how they thought about it was different.
One was thinking in pictures, the second in sounds, and the third in feelings. These sensory-based words, adjectives, adverbs and verbs, are called ‘Predicates’ in NLP literature. Habitual use of what kind of predicate will indicate a person's preferred representational system.
It is possible to find out the preferred system, the writer of any book by paying attention to the language that he or she uses. (except for NLP books where the writers may take a more calculated approach to the words they use). Great literature always has a rich and varied mix of predicates, using all the representational systems equally, hence its universal appeal.
Words such as "comprehend", "understand", "think" and "process" are not sensory-based, and so are neutral in terms of representational systems. Academic treatises tend to use them in preference to sensory-based words, perhaps as an unconscious recognition that sensory-based words are more personal to the writer and reader and so less objective.
However, neutral words will be translated differently by the kinesthetic, auditory or visual readers, and give rise to many academic arguments, often over the meaning of the words.
Why? Because everyone thinks they are right.
You may become aware of what sort of words you favor in normal conversation. It is also fascinating to listen to others and discover what sort of sensory-based language they prefer.
Those of you who prefer to think in pictures may like to see if you can identify the colorful language patterns of the people around you. If you think an aesthetically, you could get in touch with the way people put themselves over, and if you think in sounds, we would ask you to listen carefully and tune in to how different people talk.
There are important implications for gaining rapport. The secret of good communication is not so much what you say, but how you say it. To create rapport, match predicates with the other person. You will be speaking their language, and presenting ideas in just the way they think about.
Your ability to do this will depend on two things. Firstly your sensory acuity and noticing, hearing or picking up other people's language patterns. And secondly, having an adequate vocabulary of words in that representational system to respond.
Conversations will not all be in one system, of course, but matching language does wonders for rapport.
You are more likely to gain rapport with the person who thinks in the same way as you, and you discover this by listening to the words he or she uses, regardless of whether you agree with them or not. You might be on the same wavelength, or you might see eye to eye. Then again, you might get a solid understanding. It is a good idea to use and makes of predicates when you address a group of people.
Let the visualizers see what you are saying. Let the auditory thinkers hear you loud and clear, and put yourself over so that the kinesthetic thinkers in the audience can grasp your meaning. Otherwise, why should they listen to you?
You risk two thirds of your audience not following your talk if you confine yourself to explaining it one representational system.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Let's Talk About Modeling
"Practice is the best master." - Latin Proverb
Modeling is at the heart of NLP. NLP is the study of excellence, and modeling is the process that makes explicit the behavioral patterns of excellence.
What are the behavioral patterns of successful people? How do they achieve their results? What do they do that is different from people who are not successful? What is the difference that makes the difference?
The answers to these questions have generated all the skills, techniques and presuppositions associated with NLP. Modeling can be simply defined as the process of replicating human excellence.
Explanations of why some people excel more than others usually cite inborn talent. NLP bypasses this explanation by exploring how we can excel as quickly as possible. By using our mind and body in the same way as a peak performer, we can immediately increase the quality of our actions and our results. NLP models what is possible, because real human beings have actually done it.
There are three phases in the full modeling process.
The first phase involves being with your model while he is doing the behavior that you are interested. During this first phase, you imagine yourself in his reality, using second position skills, and do what he does until you can create roughly the same results.
You focus on what he does (behavior and physiology), how he does it (internal thinking strategies) and why he does it (the supporting beliefs and assumptions). The what you can get from direct observation. The how and why you explore by asking questions.
In the second phase you systematically take out elements of the models behavior to see what makes a difference. If you leave something out, and it makes little difference, then it is not necessary. If you leave something out and it does make a difference to the results you get, then it is an essential part of the model. You refine the model and begin to understand it consciously during this phase.
This is the exact opposite of traditional learning patterns. Traditional learning says add pieces a bit at a time, until you have them all. However, this way, you cannot easily know what is essential. Modeling, which is the basis of accelerated learning, it's all the elements, and then subtracts to find what is needed.
The third and final phase is designing a way to teach the skill to others. A good teacher will be able to create an environment so her students learn for themselves how to get the results.
Models are designed to be simple and testable. You do not need to know why they work, just as you do not need to understand why or how cars work to drive one. If you're lost in the maze of human behavior, you need a map to find your way around, not a psychological analysis of why you want to find your way out of the labyrinth in the first place.
Modeling in any field gives results and techniques, and also further tools for modeling. NLP is generative because its results can be applied to make it even more effective. NLP is the "bootstrap program" for personal development. You can model your own creative and resourceful states, and so be able to enter them at will. And with more resources and creativity at your disposal, you can become get more resourceful and creative...
If you model successfully, you will get the same results as your model, and you do not have to model excellence. To find out how a person is creative, or how he manages to become depressed, you ask the same key questions. "If I had to stand in for you for a day, what would I have to do to think and behave like you?"
Each person brings his own unique resources and personality to what he does. You cannot become another Einstein, Beethoven, or Edison. To achieve and think exactly like them you would need their unique physiology and personal history.
NLP does not claim anyone can be an Einstein, however it does say that anyone can think like an Einstein, and apply those ways of thinking, should he choose, in his life; in doing this, he will become closer to the full flower of his own personal genius, and his own unique expression of excellence.
In summary, you can model any human behavior, if you can master the beliefs, the physiology and the specific thought processes, that is, the strategies that lie behind it.
Before going on to explore these in more detail, it is worth remembering that we are only touching the surface of a domain as fast as our own future potential.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Modeling is at the heart of NLP. NLP is the study of excellence, and modeling is the process that makes explicit the behavioral patterns of excellence.
What are the behavioral patterns of successful people? How do they achieve their results? What do they do that is different from people who are not successful? What is the difference that makes the difference?
The answers to these questions have generated all the skills, techniques and presuppositions associated with NLP. Modeling can be simply defined as the process of replicating human excellence.
Explanations of why some people excel more than others usually cite inborn talent. NLP bypasses this explanation by exploring how we can excel as quickly as possible. By using our mind and body in the same way as a peak performer, we can immediately increase the quality of our actions and our results. NLP models what is possible, because real human beings have actually done it.
There are three phases in the full modeling process.
The first phase involves being with your model while he is doing the behavior that you are interested. During this first phase, you imagine yourself in his reality, using second position skills, and do what he does until you can create roughly the same results.
You focus on what he does (behavior and physiology), how he does it (internal thinking strategies) and why he does it (the supporting beliefs and assumptions). The what you can get from direct observation. The how and why you explore by asking questions.
In the second phase you systematically take out elements of the models behavior to see what makes a difference. If you leave something out, and it makes little difference, then it is not necessary. If you leave something out and it does make a difference to the results you get, then it is an essential part of the model. You refine the model and begin to understand it consciously during this phase.
This is the exact opposite of traditional learning patterns. Traditional learning says add pieces a bit at a time, until you have them all. However, this way, you cannot easily know what is essential. Modeling, which is the basis of accelerated learning, it's all the elements, and then subtracts to find what is needed.
The third and final phase is designing a way to teach the skill to others. A good teacher will be able to create an environment so her students learn for themselves how to get the results.
Models are designed to be simple and testable. You do not need to know why they work, just as you do not need to understand why or how cars work to drive one. If you're lost in the maze of human behavior, you need a map to find your way around, not a psychological analysis of why you want to find your way out of the labyrinth in the first place.
Modeling in any field gives results and techniques, and also further tools for modeling. NLP is generative because its results can be applied to make it even more effective. NLP is the "bootstrap program" for personal development. You can model your own creative and resourceful states, and so be able to enter them at will. And with more resources and creativity at your disposal, you can become get more resourceful and creative...
If you model successfully, you will get the same results as your model, and you do not have to model excellence. To find out how a person is creative, or how he manages to become depressed, you ask the same key questions. "If I had to stand in for you for a day, what would I have to do to think and behave like you?"
Each person brings his own unique resources and personality to what he does. You cannot become another Einstein, Beethoven, or Edison. To achieve and think exactly like them you would need their unique physiology and personal history.
NLP does not claim anyone can be an Einstein, however it does say that anyone can think like an Einstein, and apply those ways of thinking, should he choose, in his life; in doing this, he will become closer to the full flower of his own personal genius, and his own unique expression of excellence.
In summary, you can model any human behavior, if you can master the beliefs, the physiology and the specific thought processes, that is, the strategies that lie behind it.
Before going on to explore these in more detail, it is worth remembering that we are only touching the surface of a domain as fast as our own future potential.
The Best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Impact of Our Beliefs - Act As If
"Most success comes from ignoring the obvious." - Trevor Holdsworth
The beliefs that we each have about ourselves, others and the way the world is have a major impact on the quality of our experience. Because of the ‘self-fulfilling prophecy effect’, beliefs influence behavior. They can support particular behavior or inhibit it.
This is why modeling beliefs is so important.
One of the simplest ways to model the beliefs of people with outstanding abilities is to ask them questions about why they do what they do. The answers they give you will be rich with insights into their beliefs and values.
There is a story of a child in Rome who spent hours watching a strange young man work intently. Finally, the boy spoke, ‘Signore, why are you hitting that rock?’ Michelangelo looked up from his work and answered, ‘Because there is an angel inside and it wants to come out.’
Beliefs will generally take one of three main forms. They can be beliefs about what things mean. For example, if you believe that life is basically a competitive struggle and then you die, you are likely to have a very different experience of life than if you believe that it is a kind of spiritual school with many rich and fulfilling lessons to offer.
Beliefs can also be about what causes what (cause and effect). And so will give rise to the rules we choose to live by. Or again, they can be beliefs about what is important and what matters most, so giving rise to our values and criteria.
In modeling out beliefs, you want to focus on those that are most relevant to and supportive of the particular skills and competencies that you are interested in. Some good questions to elicit beliefs and metaphors are:
1.) Why do you do what you do?
2.) What does that mean to you?
3.) What would happen if you didn't do that?
4.) What is that like? What do you compare it to?
5.) What is empowering to you about this?
Once you have elicited the beliefs of your model you can begin to experiment with them for yourself. When you go beyond simple understanding and actually ‘try on a belief’ to ‘see how it fits’, the difference can be profound.
You do this by simply acting for a time as if the beliefs were true and noticing what changes when you do. One of Einstein's core beliefs was that the universe is a friendly place. Imagine how different the world might seem if you were to act as if that were true.
What new actions would you take if you believe that?
What would you do differently?
What else would you be capable of?
If you realize that the only thing between you and what you want is a belief, you can begin to adopt a new one by simply acting as if it were true.
Put everything you have into everything you do, because the best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
The beliefs that we each have about ourselves, others and the way the world is have a major impact on the quality of our experience. Because of the ‘self-fulfilling prophecy effect’, beliefs influence behavior. They can support particular behavior or inhibit it.
This is why modeling beliefs is so important.
One of the simplest ways to model the beliefs of people with outstanding abilities is to ask them questions about why they do what they do. The answers they give you will be rich with insights into their beliefs and values.
There is a story of a child in Rome who spent hours watching a strange young man work intently. Finally, the boy spoke, ‘Signore, why are you hitting that rock?’ Michelangelo looked up from his work and answered, ‘Because there is an angel inside and it wants to come out.’
Beliefs will generally take one of three main forms. They can be beliefs about what things mean. For example, if you believe that life is basically a competitive struggle and then you die, you are likely to have a very different experience of life than if you believe that it is a kind of spiritual school with many rich and fulfilling lessons to offer.
Beliefs can also be about what causes what (cause and effect). And so will give rise to the rules we choose to live by. Or again, they can be beliefs about what is important and what matters most, so giving rise to our values and criteria.
In modeling out beliefs, you want to focus on those that are most relevant to and supportive of the particular skills and competencies that you are interested in. Some good questions to elicit beliefs and metaphors are:
1.) Why do you do what you do?
2.) What does that mean to you?
3.) What would happen if you didn't do that?
4.) What is that like? What do you compare it to?
5.) What is empowering to you about this?
Once you have elicited the beliefs of your model you can begin to experiment with them for yourself. When you go beyond simple understanding and actually ‘try on a belief’ to ‘see how it fits’, the difference can be profound.
You do this by simply acting for a time as if the beliefs were true and noticing what changes when you do. One of Einstein's core beliefs was that the universe is a friendly place. Imagine how different the world might seem if you were to act as if that were true.
What new actions would you take if you believe that?
What would you do differently?
What else would you be capable of?
If you realize that the only thing between you and what you want is a belief, you can begin to adopt a new one by simply acting as if it were true.
Put everything you have into everything you do, because the best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Monday, June 11, 2007
What Are You Worth?
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitudes in any set of given circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” – Dr. Victor Frankl
If you're hanging on to the notion that you can do it all yourself, ask yourself; how much am I worth per hour? If you've never taken the time to do this, it can be kind of fun.
For me this really became apparent when one day, both my brothers and my dad were giving me a hard time about not changing the oil in my own car.
Both of my brothers had worked as automotive mechanics, one of them even owned his own business for quite awhile.
Now, my response to them was, it cost me too much money to change the oil in my car.
What I mean by that is, if I have to change the oil in my car, it'll take me several hours. I have to buy oil, I need the tools, I have to find a location to do it and then I have to find a place to dispose of the oil. That can take me a couple of hours.
Now when I go to one of those automotive places that changes your oil and 30 minutes, I can usually be outta there for less than $30. And I can be doing business, while I'm in there waiting. Cell phone, wireless laptop I'm good to go anywhere.
The difference is this; when I spend $30, $35 even $50 if they put some extras on, I'm ok with that, because in that time, I can generate income.
If I'm out changing the oil in my car it can cost me several thousands of dollars over that period.
Now I ask you, was it worth it for me to pay some one to change the oil in my car? Absolutely!
Ask yourself, what is it worth for you to pay someone to do the things that will enhance your income or your bottom line?
Last note on this. It's imperative that you schedule time, either every day, or at least a couple times a week to go over your agenda, especially if you have a personal assistant.
So, as you progress toward creating life on your terms, remember to surround yourself with like minded people that can assist you, and you them, in achieving your goals for next year.
Put everything you have into everything you do, because the best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
If you're hanging on to the notion that you can do it all yourself, ask yourself; how much am I worth per hour? If you've never taken the time to do this, it can be kind of fun.
For me this really became apparent when one day, both my brothers and my dad were giving me a hard time about not changing the oil in my own car.
Both of my brothers had worked as automotive mechanics, one of them even owned his own business for quite awhile.
Now, my response to them was, it cost me too much money to change the oil in my car.
What I mean by that is, if I have to change the oil in my car, it'll take me several hours. I have to buy oil, I need the tools, I have to find a location to do it and then I have to find a place to dispose of the oil. That can take me a couple of hours.
Now when I go to one of those automotive places that changes your oil and 30 minutes, I can usually be outta there for less than $30. And I can be doing business, while I'm in there waiting. Cell phone, wireless laptop I'm good to go anywhere.
The difference is this; when I spend $30, $35 even $50 if they put some extras on, I'm ok with that, because in that time, I can generate income.
If I'm out changing the oil in my car it can cost me several thousands of dollars over that period.
Now I ask you, was it worth it for me to pay some one to change the oil in my car? Absolutely!
Ask yourself, what is it worth for you to pay someone to do the things that will enhance your income or your bottom line?
Last note on this. It's imperative that you schedule time, either every day, or at least a couple times a week to go over your agenda, especially if you have a personal assistant.
So, as you progress toward creating life on your terms, remember to surround yourself with like minded people that can assist you, and you them, in achieving your goals for next year.
Put everything you have into everything you do, because the best is yet to come!
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Friday, June 8, 2007
Contract to Expand
"Attachment to certain beliefs can create a false illusion of what we're truly capable of. Detachment from these same beliefs will free you to explore your true capacity." - David Martin
Over the years there have been a number of things that I picked up a long the way that provide excellent examples. One such lesson is that of flexibility, although it may not be what you're thinking.
In my early days as an athlete at the US Olympic Training Center I was introduced to a technique to increase my flexibility called Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) or Isometric Stretching.
The technique allowed me to achieve major increases in my flexibility and also to assist in recovery from injuries as needed. The basic idea is that by contracting your muscles, you can expand their flexibility.
How it works (make sure to consult with your health professional before attempting any exercise. The following is only to illustrate a concept and is not to be construed as advice):
Example: Sitting in a hurdler's stretch (one leg pulled back), you would lean forward trying to touch your head to your knee. After you reach your maximum stretch, back off a bit, then contract your hamstring, almost as if you're pulling it into the ground. Maintain the contraction for 15 - 30 seconds, then relax the muscle.
Now stretch your head toward your knee again. You'll find that you can go much further this time, possibly all the way, depending on what level of flexibility you had already attained.
And, how can it assist you to move toward your goals?
Simple; contract your mind to expand your possibilities.
Get rid of the JUNK!
Too much going on, too many goals, too much "stuff" to focus on, can divert your energies and actually hinder your progress.
One of the concepts I recommend to my members & students is this. After you clearly define your goals, then select THREE to concentrate your energies on for the remainder of the year.
That's it...three.
By doing this, you'll make faster progress on toward your goals AND you'll invoke the principle of Collateral Success. That means you'll still achieve other goals due to the effort you're making to the main goals.
So, "Contract To Expand". You'll find results pour in faster than you can imagine.
Until next time, put everything you have into everything you do.
Best of Success,
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
Over the years there have been a number of things that I picked up a long the way that provide excellent examples. One such lesson is that of flexibility, although it may not be what you're thinking.
In my early days as an athlete at the US Olympic Training Center I was introduced to a technique to increase my flexibility called Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) or Isometric Stretching.
The technique allowed me to achieve major increases in my flexibility and also to assist in recovery from injuries as needed. The basic idea is that by contracting your muscles, you can expand their flexibility.
How it works (make sure to consult with your health professional before attempting any exercise. The following is only to illustrate a concept and is not to be construed as advice):
Example: Sitting in a hurdler's stretch (one leg pulled back), you would lean forward trying to touch your head to your knee. After you reach your maximum stretch, back off a bit, then contract your hamstring, almost as if you're pulling it into the ground. Maintain the contraction for 15 - 30 seconds, then relax the muscle.
Now stretch your head toward your knee again. You'll find that you can go much further this time, possibly all the way, depending on what level of flexibility you had already attained.
And, how can it assist you to move toward your goals?
Simple; contract your mind to expand your possibilities.
Get rid of the JUNK!
Too much going on, too many goals, too much "stuff" to focus on, can divert your energies and actually hinder your progress.
One of the concepts I recommend to my members & students is this. After you clearly define your goals, then select THREE to concentrate your energies on for the remainder of the year.
That's it...three.
By doing this, you'll make faster progress on toward your goals AND you'll invoke the principle of Collateral Success. That means you'll still achieve other goals due to the effort you're making to the main goals.
So, "Contract To Expand". You'll find results pour in faster than you can imagine.
Until next time, put everything you have into everything you do.
Best of Success,
David Martin
Answer Concepts, S.A.
answerconcepts@msn.com
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