NLP neuro linguistic programming procrastination overcoming self improvement personal development hypnosis
Procrastination is often discussed as one of the major barriers to self improvement. By self improvement we mean any actions that we take, including changing our behaviors, or beliefs, or developing new skills or resources, which could be called personal development.
Neuro linguistic programming or NLP offers powerful tools to help us make the changes we want in our lives. Because procrastination is an internal, almost unconscious process, it responds very well to the tools of nlp which are based on psychological principles.
Lets spend a moment examining the structure of procrastination using nlp tools. NLP states that we all have an individual experience of reality based upon our own unique map of the world. We each have unique beliefs, values, memories, experiences, skills, and sensory preferences, ie that some people prefer to see things, some to hear things, some to feel, some to taste or smell.
If this is true then how can we yalk of something like procrastination? Doesnt it have to be different for everyone? The answer in neuro linguistic programming terms is yes, it is different as to details. However, the behaviors arising as a result are similar (ie a failure to get things done that we want to do). Also the internal "structure" of procrastination is often similar from person to person. What do we mean by that? We mean that if we apply NLP Modeling to procrastination we will see a similar "strategy" being used to avoid doing things. The details of the strategy might vary but the pattern is the same. It goes something like this:
Think of something you have to do (but dont really want to do). Say its paying your bills. Maybe you see a picture or a movie of an untidy pile of bills, or maybe its an internal dialogue or voice that says "sigh, have to do the bills"
Notice how you feel about the thought of doing it. It maybe something like "pay the bills, ugh"!
Now think of a lots of things you could be doing right now. These may vary from the irrelevant, to the mildly pleasant, to the downright fun. Again maybe you see pictures or movies of these things spread out in front of you, or hear a seductive internal voice saying "oh I should balance my checkbook first, hmmm why dont I just watch a little TV first, ahhh, the weather is so nice shame to waste it, lets go for a walk".
Pick one of the things, say the walk in the park (after all it is a beautiful day). Make that picture big and bright and close. Make it really attractive.
Go for a walk in the park (dont pay the bills).
Sound familiar? There are likely several elements that make the "have to" task undesirable. These may include some or all of the following:
An unattractive picture of the task. It may be untidy. It may be incomplete, with no "end in sight"
An unpleasant feeling associated with the thought of the task.
An unpleasant inner voice complaining about the task
No sense of accomplishment that will come when the task is complete.
Try this NLP thought experiment for overcoming procrastination:
Imagine the task you want to do. Say paying the bills. What picture comes to mind? Make the picture more attractive by changing it. Examples of ways it could be changed are to move it directly in front of you, rather than seeing an untidy pile or bills scattered throughout your house, separate the bills in your minds eye until you can see each one separately and neatly organized. Experiment to find out what looks good.
Notice any feelings you have now. Maybe they are not as bad as they were. If there are still negative feelings notice where they are. Your stomach? Your chest? Change them, turn them into a tingle in your fingers and toes for example.
Notice what your internal dialogue is saying. If it is negative "pay the bills, ugh", change the voice to a seductive "it will be just marvelous when this is done, I will have the rest of the day free".
Step into the experience of the task but at the end, see yourself mailing the bills and step into that experience feel yourself dropping the bills into the mailbox. Hear the mail-box close. Feel how great that feels! Say "fantastic another job done!".
NLP helps people overcome procrastination and other issues. The exercises are most effective when they are tailored to how the individual experiences reality, and when you have someone to guide you through the exercises.
About the author: Shawn Carson is director of International Center for Positive Change and Hypnosis in New York City, offering training in neuro linguistic programming and hypnosis, coaching, one on one change work for personal change, self improvement, weight loss, smoking, goal setting and achievement
Affirmations get a bad rap by various people in the personal development and self improvement community, while many others are saying they are key to making changes and developing the life you want. So how can it be both?
“Life is a journey, not a destination” – this old saying goes deeper than it may seem in the first glance.Ifyouare someone who understands that life is consistently changing and new goals keep on taking place of the older (read entire
article) View : 403 Times
Self esteem is your opinion of your self. A high self esteem is a good opinion; a low self esteem is a bad opinion. You self esteem can be affected by several aspects of your life.
Techniques on how to persuade people have been around for many years now. Sometimes, we’re aware of what exactly it is we’re doing. Other times, we apply these methods of persuasion subconsciously. Here’s a true story with a great per(read entire
article) View : 36 Times
If you are between the ages of 16-25 and looking for a way to gain work experience you might want to think about signing up to be a volunteer. Many businesses allow volunteers to help out to give them the opportunity to see if they might be interested (read entire
article) View : 36 Times
Happiness is an emotion that is characterized by a feeling of absolute contentment. It is the feeling of being where you should be, getting what you want and needing little else.
I’ve been involved in the human potential movement or on a personal growth path for 30 years. When I started on my path I didn’t know I was on a path; I just knew I was in so much angst about my life and my body that I had to do something.<(read entire
article) View : 34 Times
Happiness is an important part of a successful persona. Happy people are triumphant and contented. More importantly, they are themselves agents of happiness.
What do you want to find in your life? Love? Success? Health? What are your circumstances suggesting is your reality? Suggestions are nothing more than unconscious projections from your mind making you believe that everything is happening to you. Guess(read entire
article) View : 66 Times
Conversational hypnosis techniques can come in handy in everyday situations. Here’s how my cousin unwittingly used conversational hypnosis in school to win a friend.
