Do you want to know how to replicate any emotion you have recently experienced? And what if you could freely relive it again and again? Well, now anyone can do just that, by using advanced and innovative mental techniques.
Rules for setting secures with NLP
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of experiencing some sunlight on the south coast of Britain. I went for a walk along the seafront with my partner, Sara, on Saturday morning, and it was a beautiful experience. The sensation of sunlight on my face, the smell of the fresh air, and the sight of others enjoying themselves created a delightful atmosphere. The local land train was transporting excited children and their families from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Dock. My senses were overwhelmed, and it was a significant event for my neurophysiology.
Interestingly, later that night, my friends teased me about my pink-colored forehead, and I told them that I was really looking forward to the summer. As I spoke, I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin, and I remembered the sights and smells of the seafront. The amazing sensation of happiness that I got from being there was already present in my mind.
In the field of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), an anchor is any representation in the human sensory system that triggers another representation. For example, the word “sex” may immediately trigger images, sounds, and other associations related to that word. The word “chocolate” may trigger different associations. Anchors don’t have to be words; they can be virtually anything.
With NLP, we recognize that anchors can work in any sensory system, such as sight, sound, feeling, smell, or taste. For instance, the way someone says your name, a particular type of handshake, a comforting hug, or the response to certain articles of clothing can become anchors.
While the anchor I created for the seafront was accidental, it is possible to use NLP techniques to intentionally anchor yourself. To experience this NLP technique for yourself, try the following:
Firstly, think of a time when you had an extremely pleasurable, positive, or enjoyable experience. See what you saw then, hear what you heard, and feel what you felt. As you feel the sensations increase in intensity, gently squeeze the thumb and index finger of your left hand together for a few seconds, then release them.
Now “break your state” (for example, by remembering what you had for lunch yesterday). Squeeze your thumb and index finger together again, gently tapping them. The state will return.
To make the most of anchoring with NLP, it is important to fully engage in the experience, make it vivid, and spend time recalling it when you first activate your NLP anchor a few times.
Imagine how powerful this technique can be when you want to feel good, energized, or motivated. Instead of reaching for chocolate, you can start to activate your “feel good” anchor.
This is a simple yet powerful NLP technique that can help you access the states and resources you need when you need them. Remember, the use of the thumb and index finger is an example of a material anchor, but you can use any representation to anchor something for yourself or someone else.
To get ‘areas of strength for a’ for an encounter, it is vital to
- a) Guarantee that you have a strong illustration of the experience to work with.
- b) Anchor in whatever number of authentic frameworks as could be expected under the circumstances (visual, hear-able, kinaesthetic, and so on).
- c) Set the anchor not long before the experience tops.
- d) When you initiate the anchor, do it precisely. Be exact!
- e) With material (kinaesthetic) secured, beating the anchor can assist with keeping up with the experience
During one of my NLP training sessions, a participant became fascinated with the concept of anchoring. Not long after the NLP training, one morning, his significant other offered to make him some tea, and as she did, he gently tapped the side of his cup with his ring. He repeated this action the next few times she made him some tea.
Eventually, all he had to do was tap the side of his cup discreetly with his ring, and she would spontaneously offer to make him some tea! A very mischievous use of NLP, isn’t it?!
By creating a sensory representation (tapping the cup) that coincided with his wife making tea, he was soon able to associate that representation as a trigger for what he wanted. He did eventually share his NLP anchoring experience with his wife, and now he makes much more tea than she does!
Now, I understand that some of you may be thinking, “But isn’t that manipulative?” One response is, “Yes, so use it for doing good things!”
Another response is “no.” It is not any more manipulative than trying to impress others by dressing nicely, grooming well, and smelling good. In those situations, you are trying to get people to think the best of you and have a positive response to you, a response that you are trying to secure through your choice of clothing, grooming, and fragrance.
Here are some things that I make a conscious effort to anchor using NLP whenever I see or experience them
- – Grins.
- – Chuckling.
- – Energy
- – Certainty
- – Nice sentiments
- – Great execution (particularly by servers and servers!)
- – Anything that looks great, valuable, or tomfoolery;
Accomplishment and achievement are particularly helpful for halting smoking, lessening weight, or filling in certainty.
In the beginning, I mentioned that anchoring with NLP is a common phenomenon that happens to us all the time, often without us realizing it.
My suggestion is for you to become aware of the anchors that you and others are setting, possibly using NLP, and to use them intentionally to achieve positive outcomes, rather than randomly getting anything you can. Remember to use NLP with care.
Going further, I recently worked with a group of staff members on NLP techniques. During the session, I asked them how they would know if the two days were a great success. One of them replied that it would have a “feel-good factor” and made a gesture towards his belly. When I repeated his words, he nodded in agreement.
Later, I referred to the “feel-good factor” and used his gesture at the same time. This produced a significant physiological response, including changes in skin variation, posture, and energy levels. His words were a good anchor, but the words and gestures together were much more effective. When I used both, I received a full response.
Throughout the session, I continued to use the anchor without him realizing that I was using NLP and his anchors. He simply felt well understood.
You can use NLP anchors to capture and reuse positive experiences for yourself and others. Now, try this NLP exercise:
1. Think of a time when you had a very pleasant, positive, or enjoyable experience. Recall what you saw, heard, and felt.
2. As you feel the sensations increasing in intensity, gently press the thumb and index finger of your left hand together for a few seconds, and then release them.
3. Now, “break your state” by thinking of something else (e.g. recall what shoe you put on first today). Press your thumb and index finger together again, gently tapping them. The state will return.
4. Observe something that someone you know already does and subtly anchor it. Set the anchor while they are doing the activity. Later, fire your NLP anchor, and see what happens. If they do what you anchored, it worked!
