Change and growth potential through NLP (neurolinguistic programming) and psychological methods

Introduction: Meet NLP

In our daily lives, we form ourselves through various experiences and live our lives interacting with the outside world. In this situation, while sometimes you experience joy and a sense of accomplishment, you may also face worries and difficulties. In these circumstances, it is important to deepen our self-understanding and develop more effective behavior and thought patterns in order to lead a more fulfilling life. This is where the psychological technique, "NLP (neurolinguistic programming)," is attracting attention.

NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) is a psychological approach developed in the early 1970s by two outstanding figures, Richard Bandler and John Grinder. They analyzed in detail the process of how great therapists were making a difference in their clients back then. As a result, we conclude that there is a certain structure in human thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns, and that by consciously understanding and reconstructing them, we can achieve more desirable results.

NLP is widely recognized worldwide as a versatile tool that can be applied in a variety of fields, including self-transformation, communication, and goal achievement. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the basic concepts of NLP, as well as specific techniques, applied fields, and their challenges and future possibilities.

Three elements that form the core of NLP: neural, language, programming

As the name suggests, NLP is made up of three elements: "Neuro," "Linguistic," and "Programming." These elements are not independent, but rather influence each other to form our experiences.

Neuros - The process of senses and perception

"Neuro" refers to the process of recognizing the outside world through our neural systems, especially our five senses (vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste) and processing it in our brain. We always collect information from the outside through our senses and interpret it in our brains. This way of interpretation has a major impact on our feelings and behavior. For example, even if you look at the same scenery, one person may feel beautiful, while another may not feel anything. This is because each person perceives the world through a different neural filter. NLP aims to promote more desirable perception by understanding and consciously adjusting the function of this neural filter.

Linguistic - The power of words that shape thoughts

"Linguistic" refers to the process in which we express our thoughts, feelings, and information about the outside world and the self using words and symbols. Words are not just communication tools, they are also important elements that shape our thinking. What words we use can have a major impact on our way of thinking, feelings, and patterns of behavior. For example, people who frequently use self-negative words tend to have a low self-esteem and fall into negative thinking patterns. At NLP, we aim to guide our thoughts and emotions in a more constructive direction by understanding the power of these words and being aware of more positive language.

Programming - Habitual behavior patterns

"Programming" refers to the process of viewing patterns of behavior and thought that we habitually carry out as a "program" and modifying and reconstructing them as necessary. Through past experiences, we have acquired a variety of behavioral and thought patterns. Some of these patterns help us achieve our goals, while others hinder us. NLP aims to change your actions and thoughts in the desired direction by consciously recognizing these patterns and acquiring more effective patterns.

Basic Principles of NLP - Experience is a Program

The NLP assumes that "human behavior is built on patterns derived from experience." In other words, the idea that events we have experienced in the past and interpretations of them shape our current thoughts, feelings, and actions. We often unconsciously act according to patterns we have learned from past experiences, and these patterns are not always the best for us.

Based on this idea that experience is a program, NLP learns how to understand the chains of reactions and thoughts formed from past experiences and reprogram them in a direction that makes them better. In other words, rather than being bound by past experiences, we aim to use it as a resource to promote self-transformation.

Key techniques for NLP - an approach to concrete changes

There are many different techniques in NLP, but here are some of the most important ones. These techniques have been applied in a wide range of fields, including not only self-improvement for individuals but also improving performance across the organization.

Modeling: Learning the thoughts and behavioral patterns of successful people

Modeling is a technique that analyzes the thought and behavior patterns of people (role models) who have achieved outstanding results in a particular field and adapts them to their own situation. This means not simply imitating superficial behavior, but understanding the inner beliefs, values, and even thought processes of successful people and incorporating them as their own. For example, you can improve your sales performance by modeling communication skills and ways to maintain motivation for people with excellent sales performance. It is also possible to improve your own leadership skills by modeling the thoughts and behavioral patterns of people who demonstrate excellent leadership. Modeling is used not only to self-improvement, but also to support others.

Reframing - Change your perspective to encourage problem solving

Reframing is a technique that changes the meaning and interpretation of one event or situation by reconsidering it from another perspective. Even if we are an event, the meaning and feelings of the same thing will change dramatically depending on the frame (interpretation framework) we view it. For example, by re-viewing failure as an opportunity for growth rather than simply as a setback, you can transform negative emotions into positive emotions and lead them to the next step. Reframing can help you free yourself from personal stereotypes and unearth new possibilities.

Anchoring - Instantly awakens emotions

Anchoring is a technique that intentionally links a particular stimulus (e.g. sound, movement, touch) with a particular emotion or state. Once an anchor is set, the stimulus can instantly evoke the corresponding emotions and states. For example, setting a specific breathing technique or pose as an anchor before a presentation will help relieve tension and give you a more confident presentation. Anchoring is used to help athletes improve their focus before a match, and businessmen increase their confidence before a business meeting.

Eye Accessing Cue - Understanding the other person's thought patterns

Eye accessing cues are techniques that read the type of memories and thoughts that a person has access to from the movement of the person's eyes and the direction of their gaze. People are known to have specific eye movements when processing information. For example, when trying to remember past visual memories, your gaze may move diagonally upwards. Understanding this eye accessing cues will help you guess what kind of thinking patterns your partner has and communicate more effectively. For example, if the other person is the type who values ​​visual information, you can deepen your understanding by using a lot of visual materials or explaining them in a specific way.

Application fields and potential for wide range of NLP

Due to its high versatility, NLP has been applied in a variety of fields. Below are some specific examples of applications.

Psychotherapy and therapy - Healing mental wounds

NLP is used to solve a variety of psychological problems, including anxiety, phobia, trauma, and a decline in self-esteem. NLP incorporates the essence of other psychotherapy, such as Ericsson hypnosis and Gestalt therapy, to help remove the psychological constraints that clients face. For example, reframing past trauma can help relieve you from the pressure that the event brings, or you can improve your self-esteem by turning your self-negative patterns into positive ones.

Business and Organization Management - Maximize Performance

In the business world, NLP contributes to improving communication skills, strengthening leadership, improving sales skills, and team building. For example, leaders can improve overall team performance by understanding employee thinking styles and communicating in a way that stimulates their individual motivation. Additionally, sales representatives can accurately grasp customer needs and build trust relationships, which can improve the closing rate.

Educational field - Increase motivation to learn

In educational settings, teachers can use NLP techniques to understand each student's learning style and cognitive characteristics, and provide a learning method that suits them. For example, students with visual learning styles can use more diagrams and graphs, and students with auditory learning styles can use reading aloud and discussion to improve learning efficiency. NLP techniques are also useful in enhancing students' motivation and developing self-esteem.

Sports Psychology: Strengthen your mentality

In the world of sports, NLP is used to help athletes improve their focus, overcome anxiety and pressure, and help them achieve their goals. For example, you can improve your performance by using anchoring techniques that relieve tension before a match, or modeling techniques that imagine successful experiences in the past. NLP is also effective in clarifying your goals and maintaining motivation.

Daily life - Lessons a richer life

NLP can be applied directly to self-improvement and relationship improvement in individuals' daily lives. For example, it can be used as a reframing technique that switches your negative thinking patterns to positive ones, or as a psychological tool for stress management. Learning more effective communication will also help you maintain good relationships with family, friends and colleagues at work.

NLP issues and criticism - Questions about scientific evidence

While the NLP has been recognized by many people for its effectiveness, there is also criticism of the scientific evidence. Some researchers position NLP as "pseudo-science," questioning the ambiguity of its theoretical foundations and the reproducibility of its results. In particular, there is a lack of evidence based on brain science research, and more evidence is required. However, in reality, it is also difficult to ignore the fact that many therapists and coaches are effectively using NLP and making a difference to their clients. Although it cannot be completely denied the effect of NLP, it can be said that further research will be needed in the future on the scientific basis.

NLP and the possibilities for the future - in search of further evolution

In recent years, NLP has gained wider applicability when combined with other psychological techniques and mindfulness. For example, NLP can be combined with other psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy and emotional focus therapy to provide more effective psychotherapy. Additionally, by incorporating the concept of mindfulness, you can increase your self-awareness and increase your resistance to stress.

In the future, NLP is expected to establish itself as an approach that not only promotes personal growth, but also improves physical and mental health in a comprehensive way. It has also been suggested that with the advancement of technology, the application of NLP using AI may also progress.

Summary: Invitation to self-change

NLP is a powerful tool for deepening self-understanding and developing more effective behavior and thought patterns. This technique is by no means something only a few experts can handle, and by each of us, we can create a better future.

We hope you will be able to experience and develop an interest in the world of NLP through this article. Learning NLP is a first step towards a path to deeper understanding of yourself and others and growing together.

The NLP will be a compass to give us the potential for self-change and lead a more fulfilling life.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

Contact

Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.