As a youngster and until my late teens, I suffered with terrible social anxiety. My social anxiety had me hiding in the school "forest" at primary school lunch times and hiding in bedrooms at large family gatherings.
In my late teens I realised that I had to do something about my anxiety or risk it impactin g the rest of my life. So, I moved to the UK.
It was there that I attended a Brain Friendly Learning workshop that changed my life.
This workshop based on neuroscience and neuro-linguistic programming is something I still use almost 20 years later and of all the fantastic learnings, the understanding that confidence is an emotion and therefore something we can all access is something that single-handedly changed the trajectory of my life.
Using NLP techniques, I learnt how to "turn on" my confidence when I need it and I haven't looked back since.
What's NLP, and how can it help you lead a more fulfilling life
The core idea of NLP is based on the belief that the quality of your life is largely related to the quality of your thoughts. If you have negative thoughts, you’re more likely to follow behaviours that are not moving you towards your goals.
NLP helps you to reach your desired goals by building greater awareness, understanding and responsibility for your thoughts and actions. It’s a form of personal development that involves understanding your specific thoughts, beliefs and language patterns and uses tools to such as reframing, language and learning styles and anchoring to change those that are challenging us.
NLP tools allow you to make conscious changes to what you believe about yourself and the world around you.
What results are you getting from your current thinking, beliefs and behaviours?
And do they align with your desired outcomes?
The first step when using NLP is an assessment of your thinking and your beliefs. NLP helps break down the "evidence" you use to reinforce your beliefs. It helps you to reframe thinking patterns through the NLP techniques allowing you to gain insight into your habitual behaviours or reactions that may be preventing you from achieving your goals. Ultimately, this changes allows you to find new ways of responding to obstacles that come your way.
Develop new habits for improved mental health and wellbeing
Using NLP tools can modify your thinking to support your desired results. For example, you might experience guilt when taking time out for your own needs. With the help of NLP, you can develop and reframe self-care habits to honour yourself better.
By uncovering those unhelpful obstacles of thinking and replacing them with more empowering beliefs and behaviours, NLP helps you create an environment that supports growth and wellbeing.
Improve your communication and interpersonal skills
This could mean increasing self-confidence when speaking up for yourself in social situations or learning how to manage difficult conversations at work more effectively. You may even do something crazy like me facilitate large workshops (and speak in public) for a living!
NLP also helps you to become aware of how your unspoken language, such as body posture and facial expressions impact those around you, NLP can provide the skills to improve how you interact with others.
Getting started with NLP
I recommend finding an experienced coach or therapist specialising in Neuro-linguistic Programming techniques such as hypnotherapy – coaches like myself are trained professionals who understand the nuances involved in this type of transformational work.
It's often helpful to set clear short-term and long-term goals before starting any new venture. This will provide greater focus and direction throughout the process, making success more attainable.
Regardless of where you’re currently at in terms of making positive changes in your life— whether related to communication & relationships or career & finances— there are tangible benefits associated with pursuing Neuro-Linguistic Programming coaching including:-
- Improved communication & interpersonal skills
- Gaining insight into habitual behaviours and reactions
- Developing new habits that stick
- Increased self-awareness
- Improved mental health & wellbeing
All leading towards achieving those desired outcomes.
If you'd like to know more about NLP and how it can help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals then please let me know.
Have a winning day!
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