Consider this: every successful person has a set of strategies they live by. But what if the real secret weren't in the strategies themselves, but in how they installed them?

In the world of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), we often talk about strategies and how to apply them, but seldom do we dive into the art of installing them. It's not just about identifying a great strategy and eliciting it, but how you engrain it into your being, making it a natural extension of yourself.

Take, for example, a strategy of positivity. You could read a thousand books on positive thinking, but until you install this strategy into your daily thought process, it remains just that – a strategy, not a transformation. The real magic happens in the installation – it's like planting a seed in fertile soil, nurturing it, and watching it grow into a towering tree.

The key to effective installation is alignment with your core values and beliefs. It's about creating a harmony between what you want to achieve and what you inherently believe. When these align, the strategy becomes second nature, like breathing or walking.

Keep in mind that strategies are tools, but installation is the craft. It's the difference between owning a paintbrush and creating a masterpiece.

The next time you come across a strategy, ask yourself, "How can I install this into my life?" Be sure to come up with a useful answer.

Have you ever wondered how your brain represents and processes different types of information? I never tire of exploring this area, and it only gets more and more fascinating as studies in neurology and artificial intelligence progress.

When we think about how we experience the world, it's not just about what we see or hear; it's about how our brain interprets these experiences. In NLP, we talk about representational systems — the ways in which our mind codes, organizes and weaves sensory experiences into an integrated map of reality uniquely designed for each individual.

Each person's map is slightly different. That's the reality of our neurological diversity. Our brains don't just passively receive information; they actively construct our perception of reality. This is where the magic of understanding NLP's operational epistemology comes in (I know, complicated words... it's an invitation for you to explore and dive deeper). By understanding the neurological basis of these representational systems, we can begin to understand and even change how we interact with the world.

Think of your brain as a master storyteller. It takes in raw sensations — sights, sounds, smells —assembles them into perceptions — sensation "packages," if you will — and then weaves them into a coherent narrative — what I call conceptions.

This narrative forms the basis of our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. But what if it's based on outdated or inaccurate information? This is where understanding the fundamentals of NLP can be a game-changer.

By understanding the underlying "code" and how to program neurology, you can edit the narrative. It's about fine-tuning the brain's map so that it helps us navigate more effectively towards our goal and aspirations.

It's not a silver bullet — and definitely run away as fast as you can from anyone who promises you it is — but it certainly makes life a heck of a lot more interesting, because it offers a structured way to explore and discover.

Imagine you’re in a conversation with one of your friends, and she says, “I can’t do this task; it’s too hard.”

Simple, direct, but oh, so misleading. In NLP, we call this surface language.

Beneath this seemingly straightforward statement lies a labyrinth of beliefs, experiences, and hidden meanings.

But why should you care? Because understanding this deeper structure is akin to having a key to human behavior. It allows you to connect and communicate more effectively. As your mentor, I encourage you to not just listen to what's said in surface, but to pay attention to the echoes of the story concealed underneath. It's in these depths that true understanding and change can occur.

This is where NLP’s Meta Model becomes your torchlight in the dark.

The Meta Model, one of the core components of NLP, is like a linguistic detective tool. It helps you uncover the unsaid, the implied, and the omitted. It's not just about what is said, but about peeling back layers to reveal what is meant. Think of it as a bridge connecting the spoken word to the unspoken thought.

One of the core precepts of NLP is that the map is not the territory. The map is the surface language, while the territory is the deep meaning that remains unspoken. The Meta Model helps us build a bridge between the map and the territory.

As your guide on this journey, I assure you, learning to discern between surface language and deeper communication is not just an academic exercise. It's absolutely fundamental to richer interactions.

It allows you to be not just a participant in conversations but a sculptor of realities.

Unless you're an NLP nerd as I am, it's unlikely you've heard of Alfred Korzybski's work. And yet, his insights are at the core of NLP. Can you guess which of his ideas are most prevalent in NLP today?

His fundamental idea, "the map is not the territory," is a cornerstone in understanding the human psyche. This concept teaches us that our perception of reality is not reality itself, but merely our interpretation of it. In NLP, this translates into a focus on how individuals construct their own subjective experiences of the world.

Think about how often we confuse our perceptions with reality. We might say, "He is irritating," instead of "I feel irritated by his behavior." This subtle shift in language, inspired by Korzybski, is at the core of NLP's approach to transforming thought patterns. By changing how we describe our experiences, we can alter our emotional responses and behaviors.

Korzybski also emphasized the importance of non-identity, the idea that no two things are ever truly identical. In NLP, this is reflected in the principle of individuality – each person's experience is unique and cannot be fully understood by anyone else. This perspective fosters empathy and respect for diversity in our interactions.

Another key aspect of NLP influenced by Korzybski is the use of language to shape reality. He argued that the structure of language affects our thought processes, a concept NLP practitioners leverage routinely to facilitate positive change in clients. By carefully choosing words and phrases, NLP aims to reprogram negative thought patterns and beliefs.

So, next time you delve into the practices of NLP, pay tribute to the invisible hand of Alfred Korzybski guiding your path. His insights into the human experience contributed to birth the field of NLP, and we are all indebted to him.

Merry Christmas, dear readers! As we deck the halls with boughs of holly, let's use a sprinkle of NLP magic to enhance our festive cheer!

First off, let's anchor ourselves in the holiday spirit. Think of your favorite Christmas memory - maybe it’s the aroma of gingerbread cookies baking, or the twinkling of lights on the tree. Feel that joy bubbling up? That's your sensory acuity tuning into Christmas vibes!

Now, let's describe our perfect Christmas. For the visual folks, imagine the vibrant red and green decorations, the flicker of candlelight, and the pristine snow outside. Auditory friends, tune into the sound of carolers, the crackling fireplace, and the laughter of loved ones. And for our kinesthetic pals, remember the warmth of a cozy blanket, the hug of a dear one, or the chill of snowflakes on your nose.

Let's not forget about rapport! Christmas is the perfect time to harmonize with family and friends, mirroring their holiday excitement and matching their Yuletide tempo. And if Aunt Edna starts on her annual rant about fruitcake, remember to pace and then lead the conversation gently back to more joyful topics.

If someone says, “This is the worst Christmas ever,” ask: "The worst?! Of all time? Hasn't there ever been a Christmas worse than this one?"

And for those moments when things don't go as planned (like when the cat topples the Christmas tree), let's reframe the situation. It's not a disaster; it's an impromptu decoration redesign!

May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be as joyful and fulfilling as a well-executed NLP distinction! Merry Christmas! 🎄✨🎉

Some NLP students think mastering 'Sleight of Mouth' is about winning arguments. But the real challenge isn’t just countering objections; it’s about being stuck in a narrow mindset. After two decades of practicing NLP, I've learned it's about understanding, transforming, and guiding conversations to create meaningful change.

Now, let me share something with you, something that might reshape how you perceive conversations. Sleight of Mouth is not a battlefield tactic; it's a tool for connection, a bridge for understanding.

You see, it's easy to get lost in the idea that communication is about proving a point, winning a debate, or getting the upper hand. But, if we shift our lens, if we tilt our perspective just a bit, we see something different. We see potential.

In my years of working with NLP, I've mentored numerous students, each locked in their own battle of words. But their moment of transformation, the real 'aha!' moment, comes when they realize that Sleight of Mouth is about opening doors, not closing them.

Think of a conversation as a dance. In a dance, you don't win against your partner; you move with them, you understand their rhythm, and together, you create something new. That's what Sleight of Mouth is about. It's about moving with the rhythm of the conversation, understanding the other person's perspective, and gently guiding the dance towards a place of mutual understanding.

So, next time you find yourself in a conversation, remember: it's not about winning. It's about understanding, transforming, and guiding. It's about using the power of language not to dominate, but to connect.

That's the true art of Sleight of Mouth. It's an art that turns everyday conversations into opportunities for meaningful change.

I remember a client who was utterly baffled by Salesforce. To him, it was as elusive as a foreign language. It was only when I switched gears, interweaving sports metaphors into our conversations, that he began to grasp it.

In NLP, we often talk about visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities. Each person leans towards a sensory preference that shapes their perception and understanding of the world, based on their own experience. That preference can evolve, of course, and isn't a configuration set in stone forever.

What's important about this distinction, though, is that it's not just about learning styles; it's about connecting, about reaching into someone's world through the sensory channels they resonate with most.

Consider for a moment a person who is predominantly kinesthetic. They experience life through movement and touch. Abstract concepts might seem distant to them, like trying to grasp the wind. But one you begin to relate these concepts to physical experiences, to the feel of a basketball spinning on a finger or the rush of a sprint, you've got their attention.

This adaptability isn't just a technique; it's an art. It's about being in tune with the person you're leading, understanding their world, and speaking their language. It's like being a chameleon, subtly shifting your colors to align with theirs.

So next time you're working with someone and you hit a wall, pause. Consider their sensory world. Do they crave vivid imagery and metaphors? Do they lean towards tone and rhythm as their primary guides? Or do they make sense of the world through movement and touch?

In adapting our approach, we don't just teach or guide; we connect. We create a bridge between our understanding and theirs, making the complex simple, the elusive graspable. This is the essence of stepping into another's shoes and walking their path with them.

In the end, as I always mention, it's not about NLP techniques you read about or watch online; it's about human connection. It's about finding people's unique map to navigate it. When we do, we unlock potentials and possibilities, not just for them, but for us as practitioners.

As you know, sensory acuity is the #1 quality you need to develop and constantly hone as an NLP Practitioner. In this age of digital and social media, we find ourselves engulfed in a deluge of stimuli. This has led many to believe that our sensory acuity is on the brink of being numbed.

Yet, I still wonder...

I see it as my job to ask questions and explore angles, and participate in figuring out whether it's possible to navigate the digital landscape with enhanced sensory acuity.

What if social media weren't a sensory overload machine, but rather an unfiltered stream of stimuli? It's in this ceaseless flow our challenge lies - not in the abundance, but in the discriminating these stimuli. By strategically curating our digital experiences and practicing mindful consumption, we might just be able to transform social media from a cacophony of distractions into a constructive path to sensory enhancement.

Our senses are gateways to our internal representations of the world. If we mindfully engage with digital media, we're not just passively consuming; we're actively shaping our perceptions, honing our ability to discern subtleties in our environment. This is akin to a musician fine-tuning their instrument, where each adjustment brings a clearer, more resonant sound.

However, just as an artist must choose their colors with intention, we must select our digital interactions with purpose. It involves recognizing the impact of each tweet, post, or video on our sensory processing. Are they dulling our senses, or are they sharpening our ability to perceive the world more vividly?

Here are a few examples so you can get an idea of the difference between the two.

Overwhelming negative news: If we constantly expose ourselves to negative or distressing news, it can lead to sensory numbness or, worse, emotional desensitization.

Mindless scrolling and clickbait: If we constantly engage with content that encourages passive consumption, like endless scrolling through superficial or sensationalist posts, it will probably dull our sensory acuity. 

Monotonous, repetitive content: If we repeatedly expose ourselves to content that lacks variety or depth, like similar-looking images, memes, or videos, we'll suffer sensory stagnation.

Educational and insightful content: By engaging with posts, videos, or articles that offer new knowledge, insights, or perspectives, we stimulate our cognitive processes and enhance our sensory awareness. This could include content related to psychology, science, culture, or personal development.

Interactive and engaging posts: If we engage with content that encourages active participation, such as polls, quizzes, or thought-provoking questions, we'll enhance our sensory acuity.

Mindfulness and content focused on well-being: Social media accounts or posts focusing on mindfulness, meditation, and emotional well-being can help us hone our sensory acuity. These often include exercises or insights that encourage us to be more attuned to our internal states and external environments.

Artistic and creative content: By engaging with artistic content such as music, visual arts, or literature, we can enhance our sensory perception. This type of content encourages our appreciation of nuances in color, sound, texture, and emotional expression.

Social media can be a tool for refining our senses or a force that blunts our sharpness. In a world saturated with stimuli, discriminating, choosing, and refining our sensory acuity is up to us. Let's continue to cultivate our wisdom so we can make the choices best for us, our loved ones, and the world as a whole.

Ever since I started dailyNLP over 15 years ago, I've always emphasized the benefits of knowing how to use the Meta Model, particularly in the business world.

The Meta Model is a powerful communication tool that helps clarify, specify, and understand the underlying issues in any conversation. It involves asking precise, targeted questions to uncover the real meaning behind vague or general statements. This approach is especially beneficial in problem-solving and overcoming obstacles in a business setting.

Recently, I had an enlightening experience during a team meeting at our consulting firm. I'm directly responsible for ensuring the smooth adoption of the Salesforce solutions we design and implement, as well as overcoming resistance to change.

During our meeting, I employed 15 specific questions, each designed to dig deeper into the following challenges we faced with Salesforce adoption:

Identifying Specific Challenges: By asking about the specific features of Salesforce that users found challenging, we could focus our efforts on those areas.

Understanding User Preferences: Questions about what users missed from the old system gave us insight into what they valued and how we could incorporate those elements into our new strategy.

Addressing Concerns Directly: By pinpointing the exact concerns of users, we could directly address them in our training and communication.

Evaluating Impact on Workflow: Understanding how the new system affected users' daily workflow allowed us to make necessary adjustments.

Uncovering Reasons for Resistance: Knowing the precise reasons behind resistance helped us develop targeted strategies to overcome it.

Effectiveness of Communication: We evaluated our methods of communicating the benefits of Salesforce to enhance our approach.

Training Methods Assessment: By identifying which training methods were most and least effective, we could refine our training program.

Boosting User Confidence: Understanding which elements of Salesforce users felt least confident using helped us focus our training on these areas.

Clarifying User Difficulties: By specifically knowing how users described their difficulties, we could tailor our solutions more effectively.

Improving Training Materials: Identifying gaps in our training materials allowed us to make them more comprehensive and user-friendly.

Responsive Feedback Mechanisms: We evaluated how we had addressed user feedback so far to improve our responsiveness.

Support Mechanisms: Understanding the specific support mechanisms in place helped us ensure they were effective and accessible.

Tailored Training Approaches: Knowing how we had tailored training to different learning styles ensured our approach was inclusive and effective.

Evaluating Transition Steps: Assessing the exact steps taken to facilitate a smooth transition helped us identify and fill any gaps.

Measuring Effectiveness: Finally, understanding how we had measured the effectiveness of our strategies helped us refine and improve them.

By using the Meta Model, I was able to transform a complex problem into a series of specific, manageable tasks. This approach not only clarified the issues but also empowered the team to create more effective strategies.

Most outsiders and new NLP students think the Meta Model is a therapeutic tool. It's way more than that! The Meta Model is a communication swiss army knife that helps us turn vagueness into clarity and turn objection into action, leading to more successful outcomes in any business setting.

Invest in learning to use it effectively, and you will reap dividends for the rest of your personal and professional life.

When we're distracted, we may default to abstract language when we're communicating.

For example, we might say, "I think it's a good idea." When we communicate consciously, however, we're able to lean into the sensory power of predicates. Consider the shift when we say, "I see the potential in this idea."

This isn't just a play on words; it's about tapping into the sensory experiences that guide our thoughts and actions.

Predicates — these sensory-based words — are more than linguistic choices. They're directly connected to how we process information. Some of us process more visually, painting our thoughts in vivid imagery. Others process auditorily, resonating with the rhythm and tone of words. And then there are those who process kinesthetically, feeling their way through conversations with tactile or emotional cues.

To this day, it always baffles me when I align my communication with these sensory preferences. It's like tuning an instrument to the right frequency. Suddenly, my message doesn't just convey information; it resonates, creating understanding and connection.

Next time you're in a dialogue, don't just listen to the words, but to the sense they're wired to. Is it a visual masterpiece, an auditory harmony, or a kinesthetic dance? When you align your language with these predicates, you're not just speaking; you're connecting on at an unconscious level.

Keep in mind one of the most important lessons of the NLP canon: as Practitioners, we are just as interested in how something is said as in what is said.