Why you should do a Neuro Linguistic Programming Course (NLP)
At one time or another, most of us will think back to a time in the past, and wonder if we had responded differently to a particular situation, or communicated in another way with someone – would things still have turned out the same?
The way we communicate can significantly impact a lot of areas in our lives. Although the spoken word is vital, a huge part of the way we communicate are often revealed in body language and facial expressions. Perhaps think about those who we idolise. How do they communicate? What is their body language like?
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a factual and scientific approach to communication, psychotherapy, and personal development. NLP also focusses on how you perceive information, and how to improve your communication skills, so that information can be used to benefit you and those you deal with. How can this help you? We’re surrounded by mega amounts of external stimuli. The experience and knowledge you have gained in life will affect the manner in which you receive such external stimuli. NLP will make you aware of how you absorb information. Using NLP provides an insight into how you absorb information, as well as help you to use this knowledge to become a better communicator.
So, why should you learn NLP?
- Keeping an open eye for hidden signals.
Unspoken signals like body language compose the majority of how we communicate with others. For example, you may be having a discussion with someone who has arms constantly folded. What does that mean? Well, it’s simple. They don’t want to receive any more of your information. With NLP training, it helps you to recognise body language which may contain hidden signals. You will learn how to process and overcome these signals.
- Listen!
You need to be a good listener before you even try to be an effective communicator. Listening is crucial and not many people do this. Do you ever feel misunderstood or completely ignored? People who have had much success in life and business, know just how important it is to listen attentively to what others are saying. Doing just that can be a great help in the way you communicate with others.
- Be open minded.
This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone or everything. If you listen with an open mind to someone who has different ideas to yours, arguments can be avoided by simply being open to what they are saying. This may happen in a work situation, especially if a serious debate is on the go. Learning NLP allows you to develop techniques so you can take in a range of different ideas with open mindedness, giving you the ability to empathize with the speaker. Taking in new ideas with an open mind can help to show the way you process information and in turn, improve the way you communicate with others.
- Stop using “cop-out” words.
When confronted with a decision you need to make, putting people off by the use of words like I’ll try, maybe, or perhaps, simply causes confusion. In the long run, it can become an easy way not to follow through with certain commitments. Avoiding a commitment can lead people to believe you are insincere.
Using NLP, can benefit the way you use language, helping you to be clear and direct when communicating.
- Be clear in verbal communication
Using good language can go a long way towards improving communication skills. Communication is best described as passing on information from yourself to someone else, in an effective manner. Successful communication should be as brief and to the point as you can make it. NLP allows you to adjust the phrases and words you use, so that it is easier for the listener to understand what you are saying.
- Building Rapport with NLP
Rapport is a word you may have often heard, especially if you are in sales type of job. However, whatever you job might be, rapport can be defined as a place of mutual harmony between individuals. This is a very important part of the NLP system. Promoting harmony with the people you are dealing with, allows a positive and open platform for effective communication.
- Maintain Eye Contact
This does not mean that you stare fixedly into a person’s eyes. Maintaining eye contact is an excellent way to begin a process of harmonious communication and a feeling of trust between people. When you establish a good level of eye contact it shows that you are serious, open and sincere, in what you are saying.
- Perception Management
Most of our thought patterns are formed by what we learn in our childhood, and usually carry with us as we grow older. This has a definite effect on how we think as adults. NLP coaching essentially guides you to make sense of your past. Human beings can be so stuck in their own past, that they are hindered from moving forward. Learning NLP techniques helps to recall events in the subconscious mind, and view them in a different way, helping to reduce and eliminate ties to the past. It gives us a good insight as to why some people behave in a particular way.
- Adapt your Communication to Your Audience
Know your audience. Who exactly are you speaking to? Imagine if your doctor starts reciting Edgar Allan Poe to you whilst you’re trying to tell them where the pain is. You have to adapt your communication. Adjusting is crucial and it can dictate how your message will be received. There may be times when you are actually at a loss for words, and when you do speak, the words may come out all garbled. Unfortunately, this can cause a misunderstanding, and lead to even more confusion. NLP Training has the technique and expertise to help you eliminate this problem, and stop it from recurring. Your communication skills can potentially go to the next level of improvement.
- Be Genuine
There may have been occasions when you have had an inkling that the person you are speaking to is not being sincere. When you are communicating with someone, the last thing you want is to transmit an aura of insincerity. When undergoing NLP Training, you will learn how to project sincerity, compassion and genuineness into your messages. When believe in what you’re saying, you’ll notice the difference – and so will your listeners.
The whole world is running on overdrive at a high speed. Face to face communication is taking a back seat to the digital world, but the techniques of NLP are still needed to help individuals build great connections and find success with effective approaches which promote the improvement of your communication efforts.