Here’s a great article: Teaching Cops to See, from the Smithsonian Institute. The article describes how Amy Herman uses Art History is used to teach policemen better observation skills!

No, really!

It demonstrates how difficult it is to make sense of a scene because our model of the world tells us what it means.

She says:

The officers, all captains or higher in rank, were attending “The Art of Perception,” a course designed to fine-tune their attention to visual details, some of which might prove critical in solving or preventing a crime. Herman laid out the ground rules. “First, there are two words that are not allowed—’obviously’ and ‘clearly’—since what’s obvious to you may not be obvious to someone else.

Amen to that.

The officers offer their interpretations of what they are seeing in each picture.

A Caravaggio appeared on the screen. In it, five men in 17th-century dress are seated around a table. Two others stand nearby, and one of them, barely discernible in shadow, points a finger—accusingly?—at a young man at the table with some coins.

Among the officers a discussion arose about who robbed whom, but they soon learned there could be no verdict. No one was being accused or arrested, Herman said. The painting was The Calling of St. Matthew, and the man in the shadow was Jesus Christ. The cops fell silent.

Later, Deputy Inspector Donna Allen said, “I can see where this would be useful in sizing up the big picture.”

We spend lots of time in our NLP Practitioner trainings emphasising observation over interpretation, even so our own models of the world are so persuasive it’s easy to fall for what we think rather than what we see (hear, feel, taste and smell).

Tip of the hat to Mike DeBusk and the nlphilia blog for discovering the article.

Questioning Skills is one of the most useful competencies and skill sets for therapists, coaches, really anyone who is working with others to achieve outcomes and get stuff done.

But it is much more that this. It is about making things happen, quantifying the unknowns and building honest and real motivation that generates ACTION. 18 November 2008.

Nigel Hetherington will be demonstrating how NLP’s Meta Model can be used extremely effectively to gather, create and flesh out action plans to really make things happen. From personal outcomes and goals to large scale business planning the non-therapeutic application of the process is the same.

Come and join this inclusive and structured North East NLP practice group on Tuesday 18th to explore the use of NLP’s meta model to form action plans that actually work.

So if you have some personal outcomes and goals you want to explore and actualise or if you have a business project that you want to turn into a realistic and workable plan come along and learn the process for yourself.

If you are quite serious about developing your skills and coming away with process you can use in the real world then get yourself along and join our friendly, inclusive and growing community.

7-9 pm with all refreshments provided for just £10.00

St. Oswald’s Teaching Centre
Regent Avenue, Gosforth,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1EE

Click here for map

Its good, useful and certainly important to know what you really want. To know what you do want, when and where you want it and how you will know you have it are particularly valuable. Its easy to go and create a list things you want. Things you want can include material possessions, like cars, books and clothes or internal states like, increased motivation to achieve ‘X’, or to feel centered, now, it may be something like ‘more aptitude with physical coordination when I am doing ‘Z”. Its really necessary to be as specific as you are able to be specific about what exactly it is you want, that’s so cool! Its obvious that this specification about what you want, perhaps its something really easy and extremely useful like improving ones meta-modelling skills, begins a processes, both internal and external, that can bring about a realisation of what you want and how to get it, now, that’s really interesting ain’t it! And that is what the meta-model is about, being specific, exploring the assumptions and engendering response-ability. Socrates thought this was a good idea, if the ‘Socratic questioning’ model is to be believed’.

the Meta Model essentially does two things when used ‘as intended’

1. It assist stuck clients to change – Therapeutic
2. It gets high quality information – Business / Pleasure / Therapeutic

Additionally the NLP Cafe, a structured, Newcastle NLP Practice group will be open for its first event on Wednesday 9th January 7-9pm. How to resourcefully respond to criticism

Its a snip at £10.00 or just £9.00 if you book online.

Our NLP Practitioner course beginning in January 2008 and the current Integrity NLP Practitioner in Newcastle will uncover the Meta Model and those who are on our next Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy training will leave with a well grounded and practical knowledge of applying this process therapeutically.

How good would it feel to be relating even more fully with your clients whilst still operating as an effective therapist. If you are in any therapeutic field like the many complementary therapies or thinking of expanding your skills, you could take our Newcastle clinical hypnotherapy course – it will help your communications during therapy be better, easier and faster as your incorporating new skills.

Hold on, the more you feel your getting to grips with these Meta Model interventions are a set of specific verbal responses to a set of very specific words and phrases. Its really easy, so, not so surprisingly ‘clients’ and people are using them all the time, take note, its easy to say and do, just like your full and complete learning, your getting language in a new way…

the Art of Applied NLP is when and in what contexts to apply these specific verbal responses so as not to lose friends and alienate yourself.

The Meta Model – Therapeutic Process (14)

Please note that when you use this ( or any ) process with clients you are at best creating a context where they can change their own situation.

“In psychotherapy you change no one. People change themselves. You create circumstances under which an individual can respond spontaneously and change. That’s all you do. The rest is up to them” – Milton Erickson

Now lets get down to doing with just a few examples. The example will take the form of a ‘clients’ verbalisation of a problem and the specific ‘form’ of the Meta Model response for this particular problem – got the picture already?

Notice there is no requirement to know the labels for these ‘responses’.

One thing that really is worth keeping in mind if you choose to practice recognising from and responding to in this way to others ( or your self ) –
do do it respectfully and with rapport!

The ‘problems’ or stuck states statements are presented in RED and the verbal responses in GREEN

Your smiling at me that way makes me feel nervous!

What times have you felt nervous before and I haven’t smiled?
Its your interpretation of what my smile means that you say is making you nervous!
Are you saying that EVERY time I smile you get nervous – what if I wasn’t here?
How does that happen?

IF she gets that job THEN we can be sure of improved performance

Are you suggesting that the only way we can have improved performance IS her getting the job?
So you are suggesting that improved performance will only be credited to and caused by her?
How will her not getting the job necessitate an impossible performance improvement?
THEN IF she doesn’t get the job were finished? There is absolutely no other way in the universe to improve performance – IS this what you actually mean?


My lack of concentration made me miss the deadline

What caused your lack of concentration?
You need to change your strategy!
So if you could concentrate you could make the deadline. Think about it!
Since you concentrating now, The deadline is extended one hour away – get on it!

My boss is making me feel unhappy and stressed

What specifically has been stressing for you?
How are you choosing to respond such that you have felt unhappy?
Thats awful! You must be feeling so very unhappy and incredibly stressed out, aww thats sooooo terrible. Sometimes I think there is really no point to life. Ha just kidding, so what’s the first things are you gona do about it first?
When did you give your boss permission to do that to you? ( thanks Ian )

All this dark weather it makes you sad doesn’t it.

It might make you sad, me, I feel great, you know.
Shut up and tell me, You can recall what light weather is like, can’t you!
What did you think about it before you make that particular assessment?
No. Im looking forward to spring mornings and summer evenings BUT you probably cant even understand what I mean BECAUSE your way too sad to…


All of the above ‘interventions‘ take the form of a response to recognising a description of some unspecified ownership of of a belief or value, where the performer or person issuing the statement is to all intents and purposes unidentified.

Lets take two hot topics ( content ) and apply the appropriate response ( process ) to the statement.

example

Its important to respect scientific beliefs and values

Says who?
Important compared to what?
Important to who?

Or more provocatively

Or what will happen?
Why?

example

Its important to respect religious beliefs and values

Says who?

Important compared to what?
Important to who?

Or more provocatively

Or what will happen?

Why?

enjoy

nigel hetherington

Communicating Excellence
Excellence in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Clinical Hypnotherapy

One of the things that makes Christmas particularly nice is meeting up with friends and family. The time before the holidays running up to that last day at work before new year – lush! And there is always that feeling of excitement and anticipation just before the holidays start too. It makes you think doesn’t it, about the whole concept of Christmas maybe even good old Yarwe, ( oops HaShem – dear GOD, wouldn’t want to make anyone or their religion take offense, after all this is the UK – Home to free speech and liberal attitudes PROVIDING that speech is politically correct. I don’t know why I hear anarchy in the uk by sexpistols? ), before that and now the semi -global adoption of ‘christian’ values and beliefs especially by shop keepers and those not so friendly little elves from the Iceland consortium making as much money as they can, forcing suppliers to accept less than they had previously agreed – Ahh the joys of human kindness. The causes of all these conflicting undercurrents of humanity may never be known but if you will put all that stuff aside then - what you make Crimbo and new year to be really is up to you – and I do hope ( and even offer a prayer to all receptive Deity’s, God’s and Goddesses ) that for you it turns out exactly the way you wish it to be while you want it to.

the Meta Model essentially does two things when used ‘as intended’

1. It assist stuck clients to change – Therapeutic
2. It gets high quality information – Business / Pleasure / Therapeutic

Additionally the NLP Cafe, a structured, Newcastle NLP Practice group will be open for its first event on Wednesday 9th January 7-9pm. How to resourcefully respond to criticism

Its a snip at £10.00 or just £9.00 if you book online.

Our NLP Practitioner course beginning in January 2008 and the current Integrity NLP Practitioner in Newcastle will uncover the Meta Model and those who are on our next Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy training will leave with a well grounded and practical knowledge of applying this process therapeutically.

How good would it feel to be relating even more fully with your clients whilst still operating as an effective therapist. If you are in any therapeutic field like the many complementary therapies or thinking of expanding your skills, you could take our Newcastle clinical hypnotherapy course – it will help your communications during therapy be better, easier and faster as your incorporating new skills.

Hold on, the more you feel your getting to grips with these Meta Model interventions are a set of specific verbal responses to a set of very specific words and phrases. Its really easy, so, not so surprisingly ‘clients’ and people are using them all the time, take note, its easy to say and do, just like your full and complete learning, your getting language in a new way…

the Art of Applied NLP is when and in what contexts to apply these specific verbal responses so as not to lose friends and alienate yourself.

The Meta Model – Therapeutic Process (13)

Please note that when you use this ( or any ) process with clients you are at best creating a context where they can change their own situation.

“In psychotherapy you change no one. People change themselves. You create circumstances under which an individual can respond spontaneously and change. That’s all you do. The rest is up to them” – Milton Erickson

Now lets get down to doing with just a few examples. The example will take the form of a ‘clients’ verbalisation of a problem and the specific ‘form’ of the Meta Model response for this particular problem – got the picture already?

Notice there is no requirement to know the labels for these ‘responses’.

One thing that really is worth keeping in mind if you choose to practice recognising from and responding to in this way to others ( or your self ) –
do do it respectfully and with rapport!

The ‘problems’ or stuck states statements are presented in RED and the verbal responses in GREEN

Your smiling at me that way makes me feel nervous!

What times have you felt nervous before and I haven’t smiled?
Its your interpretation of what my smile means that you say is making you nervous!
Are you saying that EVERY time I smile you get nervous – what if I wasn’t here?
How does that happen?

IF she gets that job THEN we can be sure of improved performance

Are you suggesting that the only way we can have improved performance IS her getting the job?
So you are suggesting that improved performance will only be credited to and caused by her?
How will her not getting the job necessitate an impossible performance improvement?
THEN IF she doesn’t get the job were finished? There is absolutely no other way in the universe to improve performance – IS this what you actually mean?


My lack of concentration made me miss the deadline

What caused your lack of concentration?
You need to change your strategy!
So if you could concentrate you could make the deadline. Think about it!
Since you concentrating now, The deadline is extended one hour away – get on it!

My boss is making me feel unhappy and stressed

What specifically has been stressing for you?
How are you choosing to respond such that you have felt unhappy?
Thats awful! You must be feeling so very unhappy and incredibly stressed out, aww thats sooooo terrible. Sometimes I think there is really no point to life. Ha just kidding, so what’s the first things are you gona do about it first?
When did you give your boss permission to do that to you? ( thanks Ian )

All this dark weather it makes you sad doesn’t it.

It might make you sad, me, I feel great, you know.
Shut up and tell me, You can recall what light weather is like, can’t you!
What did you think about it before you make that particular assessment?
No. Im looking forward to spring mornings and summer evenings BUT you probably cant even understand what I mean BECAUSE your way too sad to…


All of the above ‘interventions‘ take the form of a response to recognising a description of some implied or stated cause and effect. This cause effect model works well with Newtonian physics but kind of crumbles and dissipates with people and living things.

There are several ways to respond. One way is to offer counter examples to either the whole statement or to the cause part or to the effect part. Other ways are to request the specifics, the what, OR the structure, the how of the particular cause and or effect.

The purpose of the response is to create choice and to create choice that is initiated and maintained by self.

example

You make me feel good.

You have felt good without me.
what exactly is it that you choose to feel good about?
Nip skin playfully and “you feel good to me too”

example

His boasting boars me

Come on lets go somewhere else
Its not his ‘boasting’ its your attitude
Then stop letting him control you – choose to feel something else!

enjoy

nigel hetherington

Communicating Excellence
Excellence in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Clinical Hypnotherapy

We’ve just been covering the Meta Model in our NLP Practitioner training . The Meta Model is one of the foundations of NLP giving us a way of detecting the hidden patterns of meaning in another person’s model of the world.

Some people really like the Meta Model. It fits into their way of working and seems to be just an extension of common sense. For others (myself included) it can be a bit of a stretch to learn.

Fortunately there is a nice way of practising the meta model online courtesy of John David Hoag . He has created a collection of ‘flash cards’ on his website that you can use to practice your language detective skills.

On the delayed 10.30 train from Kings Cross, I am traveling back to Newcastle, NLP training at the fore front of my mind. I have been to the NLP conference, an experience of great interest, that I will write up and share my views on in the future. The even was superbly organised and well worth a visit next year. I have met some wonderful energetic people with real passion I am of course talking of both the delegates and some of the presenters. Several of the big name presenters quite categorically stated that the NLP scene here in the UK is bigger than in the US. They demonstrated a great deal of enthusiasm about this, what I would call ‘giving it a bit of the old flannel‘ and I cant help but wonder if the current US recession adds more fuel to their desires. There was, for me a curiosity regarding some of the presenters relationship with the audience and their apparent lack of knowledge, rapport and respect for other’s model of the world. There is to me a almost ubiquitous theme of re-branding and repackaging attempts at product sepperation of the various weaving threads of NLP from one another. More on this subject at another time…

the Meta Model essentially does two things when used ‘as intended’

1. It assist stuck clients to change – Therapeutic
2. It gets high quality information – Business / Pleasure / Therapeutic

Additionally the NLP Cafe, a structured, Newcastle NLP Practice group will be open for its first event on Wednesday 12th December 7-9pm. How to Create a Brilliant Future
Its a Christmas present at £10.00 or just £9.00 if you book online. Get 2008 on track and have a path with a heart.

Our NLP Practitioner course beginning in January 2008 and the current Integrity NLP Practitioner in Newcastle will uncover the Meta Model and those who are on our next Newcastle Clinical Hypnotherapy training will leave with a well grounded and practical knowledge of applying this process therapeutically.

How good would it feel to be relating even more fully with your clients whilst still operating as an effective therapist. If you are in any therapeutic field like the many complementary therapies or thinking of expanding your skills, you could take our Newcastle clinical hypnotherapy course – it will help your communications during therapy be better, easier and faster as your incorporating new skills.

Hold on, the more you feel your getting to grips with these Meta Model interventions are a set of specific verbal responses to a set of very specific words and phrases. Its really easy, so, not so surprisingly ‘clients’ and people are using them all the time, take note, its easy to say and do, just like your full and complete learning, your getting language in a new way…

the Art of Applied NLP is when and in what contexts to apply these specific verbal responses so as not to lose friends and alienate yourself.

The Meta Model – Therapeutic Process (12)

Please note that when you use this ( or any ) process with clients you are at best creating a context where they can change their own situation.

“In psychotherapy you change no one. People change themselves. You create circumstances under which an individual can respond spontaneously and change. That’s all you do. The rest is up to them” – Milton Erickson

Now lets get down to doing with just a few examples. The example will take the form of a ‘clients’ verbalisation of a problem and the specific ‘form’ of the Meta Model response for this particular problem – got the picture already?

Notice there is no requirement to know the labels for these ‘responses’.

One thing that really is worth keeping in mind if you choose to practice recognising from and responding to in this way to others ( or your self ) –
do do it respectfully and with rapport!

The ‘problems’ or stuck states statements are presented in RED and the verbal responses in GREEN

I have a serious situation here!

Tell me more about what your situationing?
What are you


You know, I am being frustrated by her constant questions!

What specifically is happening so your responding in this particular way?
How is her frustrating you?
What is frustrating?


My response is making me feel bad

How are you responding to what?
How are you choosing that particular way of responding?
What are you responding to?

Oh I know, you think its great to be confused.

What was confusing you?
How are you currently experiencing being confusing?
Confusing? How do you know?

I decided that a new organisation is the key!

How are you deciding that organising is a key?
What are you deciding when organising in this particular way?
How are you organising now?
What are you organising when you are deciding in that particular way?
How are you organising when you are deciding in that particular way?


All of the above ‘interventions‘ take the form of a response to recognising a description of some ‘process’ word that has been either turned into an ‘object’ or an ‘event’ in the past present or future. The process has been frozen.

Turning a process word into an event turns it into a kind of linguistic object or substance. Does it sound like you could pick some of this ’substance’ up and put it in your pocket?

example

I have some ‘frustration’
I am in a state of frustration

Testing for frozen process or states

Does the word ‘logically’ fit into a container
Does the sentence an ongoing X, make sense ‘OR’
Does the sentence I am being X

example

take the verb to ‘frustrate’ here are its ‘frozen’ or stuck forms

frustration, frustrated

an ongoing ‘frustration’
an ongoing ‘frustrated’ -> I am being frustrated

• Turn the frozen process word BACK into an ongoing process
• What is FRUSTRATING you?
• How are you FRUSTRATING yourself?

enjoy

nigel hetherington

Communicating Excellence
Excellence in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Clinical Hypnotherapy

Breath in and relax – no seriously, take a relaxing breath or two. Relaxing means your changing your state and changing your state is good. If you are experiencing any run up to Christmas pressures you are no doubt going to deal with them in your own unique ways.

I had a shopping experience recently, I was in Newcastle city center and intended purchasing some electrical item. The electrical dealers on Northumberland street seemed the place to go. The assistants were busy talking to themselves about Christmas parties and the like and not at all assisting customers. Trained Baboons would have certainly been more amusing and equally as helpful, I waited about seven minutes and then left, no wonder shop sales are declining – no apparent customer care. The so called service was shit so I left that shop to purchase elsewhere and after one or two more disappointing shopping experiences and a phone call where I could not make head nor tail of some foreign attempted at English it meant I was much better off purchasing online.

the Meta Model essentially does two things when used ‘as intended’

1. It assist stuck clients to change – Therapeutic
2. It gets high quality information – Business / Pleasure / Therapeutic

Our NLP Practitioner course beginning in January 2008 and the current Integrity NLP Practitioner in Newcastle will uncover the Meta Model and those who are on our next Newcastle Hypnotherapy course will leave with a well grounded and practical knowledge of applying this process therapeutically.

Additionally the NLP Cafe, a structured, Newcastle NLP Practice group will be open for its first event on Wednesday 12th December 7-9pm.
Its a Christmas cracker at £10.00 or just £9.00 of you book online.

Just listen to yourself, relating even more fully with your clients whilst still operating effectively at a process level. If you are in any therapeutic field like the many complementary therapies or thinking of taking up your calling, you could take our Newcastle hypnotherapy course – it will help your communications during therapy be better and easier and faster as something evolves between parties. Learn to develop that hypnotic voice.

See, the more you look into this noticing that these Meta Model interventions are a set of specific verbal responses to a set of very specific words and phrases. Its really easy, so, not so surprisingly ‘clients’ and people are using them all the time, Look take note, its easy to say and do, just like bright learning, your seeing language in a new way…

the Art of Applied NLP is when and in what contexts to apply these specific verbal responses so as not to lose friends and alienate yourself.

The Meta Model – Therapeutic Process (10)

Please note that when you use this ( or any ) process with clients you are at best creating a context where they can change their own situation.

“In psychotherapy you change no one. People change themselves. You create circumstances under which an individual can respond spontaneously and change. That’s all you do. The rest is up to them” – Milton Erickson

Now lets get down to doing with just a few examples. The example will take the form of a ‘clients’ verbalisation of a problem and the specific ‘form’ of the Meta Model response for this particular problem – got the picture already?

Notice there is no requirement to know the labels for these ‘responses’.

One thing that really is worth keeping in mind if you choose to practice recognising from and responding to in this way to others ( or your self ) –
do do it respectfully and with rapport!

The ‘problems’ or stuck states statements are presented in RED and the verbal responses in GREEN

Christmas shopping means you will get stressed.

Have you every been stressed and not been Christmas shopping?
Have you ever been Christmas shopping and not been stressed?
Are you saying if you don’t get stressed you can’t go Christmas shopping?

You saying that you will try to behave differently is the same as you saying that you will fail.

Have you ever tried something and succeeded?
So your saying that it is not possible to try something and not fail?
Have you ever failed and not tried?
It sounds like your actually saying failure is equal to trying, is this correct?


Her speaking that way means she is trying it on!

Could she be trying it on and speak any other way?
Can you imagine her speaking that way and not trying it on?
Her speaking that way means she has just been to the dentist you bozo!


Doing lots of courses is the same as learning lots

Could you, do lots of courses and learn very little?
Are you suggesting that learning lots is only possible by doing lots of courses?
Doing lots of courses means you are a course junkie and you just need to practice.

Not smiling at her is not helpful to the relationship

So your saying smiling is the ONLY way to help the relationship?
Have you ever helped the relationship and not smiled?
Your smiling now. How is that helping that relationship?


All of the above ‘interventions‘ take the form of a response to recognising a statement of the form where one ‘thing’ is said or shown to equal of be the same as another thing. Where the two things are intrinsically different.

A is B
A means B
A and B
A equals B

to unplat, unweave and detangle the ‘things’ apart, you use questions, statements or provocative responses to sepperate the ‘things’. This can be done in a variety of ways

• Are you saying that the only way to B is to A
• Has there EVER been a time when A and NOT B
• No, A means C and B means X

enjoy

nigel hetherington

Communicating Excellence
Excellence in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy

In a great many circles NLP has not got the best of reputations. It is currently being repacked and now appealing to mass audiences by many current writers. One exceptionally good one is Paul McKenna. Just look at his series of best selling books – all repackaged NLP yet hight readable with mass appeal. Will this repackaged NLP reach millions upon millions and change their lives or will the books simply be read and shelved somewhere. Will the lessons, at some level be instrumental in some beneficial social revolution or will no one do the exercises and the inherent value remain on the pages in set type.

The vast majority of NLP Processes, as far as I can currently
understand, are on the whole very good. The application of these
processes is up to the individual practitioner. One recent example in the Independent of Sunday’s ‘Success at work’ series presents a process. The process in itself is very good ( coming loosely from Gregory Batesons Double Bind Theory ). Yet for me, the ethics of application is highly questionable, especially in the context it is presented. This example is from the ‘feel good or no hassle technique’.

“Of course you could save £75 on our fees by dealing with the form choices yourself OR if you feel uncomfortable about wading through seven pages of time-consuming complex tax forms and material, which has to be spot on, we could do it for you“.

the Meta Model essentially does two things when used ‘as intended’

1. It assist stuck clients to change – Therapeutic
2. It gets high quality information – Business / Pleasure / Therapeutic

Our NLP Practitioner course beginning in January 2008 and the current Integrity NLP Practitioner in Newcastle will uncover the Meta Model and those who are on our next Newcastle Hypnotherapy course will leave with a well grounded and practical knowledge of applying this process therapeutically.

Just listen to yourself, relating even more fully with your clients whilst still operating effectively at a process level. If you are in any therapeutic field like the many complementary therapies or thinking of taking up your calling, you could take our Newcastle hypnotherapy course – it will help your communications during therapy be better and easier and faster as something evolves between parties. Learn to develop that hypnotic voice.

See, the more you look into this noticing that these Meta Model interventions are a set of specific verbal responses to a set of very specific words and phrases. Its really easy, so, not so surprisingly ‘clients’ and people are using them all the time, Look take note, its easy to say and do, just like bright learning, your seeing language in a new way…

the Art of Applied NLP is when and in what contexts to apply these specific verbal responses so as not to lose friends and alienate yourself.

The Meta Model – Therapeutic Process (9)

Please note that when you use this ( or any ) process with clients you are at best creating a context where they can change their own situation.

“In psychotherapy you change no one. People change themselves. You create circumstances under which an individual can respond spontaneously and change. That’s all you do. The rest is up to them” – Milton Erickson

Now lets get down to doing with just a few examples. The example will take the form of a ‘clients’ verbalisation of a problem and the specific ‘form’ of the Meta Model response for this particular problem – got the picture already?

Notice there is no requirement to know the labels for these ‘responses’.

One thing that really is worth keeping in mind if you choose to practice recognising from and responding to in this way to others ( or your self ) –
do do it respectfully and with rapport!

The ‘problems’ or stuck states statements are presented in RED and the verbal responses in GREEN

Of course you could save £75 on our fees by dealing with the form choices yourself OR if you
feel uncomfortable about wading through seven pages of time-consuming
complex tax forms and material, which has to be spot on, we could do it
for you

Are you suggesting that if I don’t pay you £75 for what may in fact be trivial, easy forms to fill in, I have to feel uncomfortable? Get stuffed!

Would you like to learn this pattern easily OR do you want to learn it with minimal effort?

Are you saying I can only learn this in two ways? easily or with minimal effort?

This story is either going to make you cry or you are an unfeeling person!

My not crying does not mean I am unfeeling.
If I cry are you suggesting I am a feeling person?
You might like to think about what you have just said. I may know more about this story than you.

You can either clean this mess up now or later!

I may never clean your mess up, that’s your job!
So you are saying if I clean this mess up now I wont clean it up later? What if I do half now and leave the rest!
Thank you for such varied choices


A person can either learn from mistakes or keep making them

So if I keep making mistakes you seem to suggest I am not learning?
Are you suggesting it is impossible to make different mistakes?
You seem to be saying that continuing making mistakes means no learning is taking place?

All of the above ‘interventions‘ take the form of a response to an implied choice of either THIS or THAT. By detecting the ‘or‘ statement and fully realising that there are many additional choices we can explore to free ourselves from both ‘unethical manipulation’ or ‘imposed choices’ – either internally or externally; And opening up a real world of choices.

Once an ‘either or’ statement is detected, an illusion of choice, you can explore what is actually meant by using the following meta model challenge to

would you like to ‘X’ or would you like to ‘Y’?

Are you saying if I don’t do ‘X’ I have to do ‘Y’?
Are you saying not doing ‘X’ means I have to do ‘Y’?

Are you saying if I don’t do ‘Y’ I have to do ‘X’?
Are you saying not doing ‘Y’ means I have to do ‘X’?

By challenging the implied illusion of choice ( X or Y ), you will reject the ‘imposed choice’ and open up real choice – when it is appropriate to you.

• Does this mean not X has to be Y?
• Does this mean not doing Y means the only alternative is X?
• Are you saying the choice is just between X and Y?

enjoy

nigel hetherington

Communicating Excellence
Excellence in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy

… So then he said “Its is completely inappropriate for people to laugh!” The mans face was awash with creases and wrinkles; people would have struggled to understand the emotions that moved across their faces at that point.
The woman who was conversing flashed her eyes at a man, “Of course it is to laugh, just as to appropriate him, it is appropriate to be serious, how can a person control their emotions”.
Many in the crowd looked as if they understood her words, others just looked baffled or confused. Eventually without knowing, they seemed to reach some sort of unspoken understanding amongst themselves. Even without conscious understanding, a person, can, have a deep understanding of communications without even realising it, in addition to the meta model easier made.

the Meta Model essentially does two things when used ‘as intended’

1. It assist stuck clients to change – Therapeutic
2. It gets high quality information – Business / Pleasure / Therapeutic

Our NLP Practitioner course beginning in January 2008 and the current Integrity NLP Practitioner in Newcastle will uncover the Meta Model and those who are on our next Newcastle Hypnotherapy course will leave with a well grounded and practical knowledge of applying this process therapeutically.

Just listen to yourself, relating even more fully with your clients whilst still operating effectively at a process level. If you are in any therapeutic field like the many complementary therapies or thinking of taking up your calling, you could take our Newcastle hypnotherapy course – it will help your communications during therapy be better and easier and faster as something evolves between parties. Learn to develop that hypnotic voice.

See, the more you look into this noticing that these Meta Model interventions are a set of specific verbal responses to a set of very specific words and phrases. Its really easy, so, not so surprisingly ‘clients’ and people are using them all the time, Look take note, its easy to say and do, just like bright learning, your seeing language in a new way…

the Art of Applied NLP is when and in what contexts to apply these specific verbal responses so as not to lose friends and alienate yourself.

The Meta Model – Therapeutic Process (8)

Please note that when you use this ( or any ) process with clients you are at best creating a context where they can change their own situation.

Now lets get down to doing with just a few examples. The example will take the form of a ‘clients’ verbalisation of a problem and the specific ‘form’ of the Meta Model response for this particular problem – got the picture already?

Notice there is no requirement to know the labels for these ‘responses’.

One thing that really is worth keeping in mind if you choose to practice recognising from and responding to in this way to others ( or your self ) –
do do it respectfully and with rapport!

The ‘problems’ or stuck states statements are presented in RED and the verbal responses in GREEN

You have seen the way people look at me!

specifically, which people are you referring to?

Nobody will understand you!

Who exactly do you think will not understand?

Its always painful how dogs will turn and bite you.

What dogs are you specifically referring to here?
You see, when you say ‘you’ who are you actually talking about?
Who is it painful for?


That person is always nasty, he has been bullying me!

What person?
Who are they nasty to?
Who has been bullying you?


Its not possible to be truly happy in your job!

Who is it not possible for?
When you say ‘you’, who do you mean?

All of the above ‘interventions‘ take the form of a response to non-process words or generalised references to people, objects or things.
So to test, is reference made to a specific person or thing? Another way to detect the same ‘kind of generalisation’ is does the word refer to some generalised class of things? For example ‘Bloodhound’ is a example of the generalised class of Dogs.

‘Painful’ must refer to some ‘thing’ capable if feeling or inflicting pain or both.

Listen out for these generalisations, detect what kind of ‘examples’ you have to create or imagine to understand what specifically the writer or speaker is referring about.

• Who specifically?
• What specifically?

enjoy

nigel hetherington

Communicating Excellence
Excellence in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy

It seems that to learn is to change. However you set about your learning, whether you prefer to learn in a systematic and structured way or perhaps you like to learn in a somewhat haphazard and random fashion. It can take many forms. Lets say someone told you to go read a book and you decide to do that. You can read a book and then you may tell someone else that you read it. They will most likely then make some assumption, perhaps some sort of generalisation. don’t laugh, I’m serious. No two people will read exactly the same, but wait, There are certain reading processes, perhaps if you said go read this book, that other person would likely assume how you meant them to read it – perhaps speed reading, perhaps photo reading, perhaps skimming, perhaps – who will know what they would assume, who knows what you would assume? So at your own pace how about continuing your learning as you walk, stroll, jog on to more of the Meta Model Easier Made…

the Meta Model essentially does two things when used ‘as intended’

1. It assist stuck clients to change – Therapeutic
2. It gets high quality information – Business / Pleasure / Therapeutic

the current Integrity NLP Practitioner in Newcastle will uncover the Meta Model and those who are on our next Newcastle Hypnotherapy course beginning February 2008 will leave with a well grounded and practical knowledge of applying this process.

Just imagine relating even more fully with your clients whilst still operating effectively at your own process level. If you are in any therapeutic field like the many complementary therapies or thinking of taking up your calling, you could take our Newcastle hypnotherapy course – it will help your communications during therapy be better and easier and faster as something evolves between parties.

Listen, the more you tune into this that these Meta Model interventions are a set of specific verbal responses to a set of very specific words and phrases. Its really easy, so, not so surprisingly ‘clients’ and people are using them all the time, so take note, its easy to say and do, just like a new melody, your ear is already beginning to tune in perfectly…

the Art of Applied NLP is when and in what contexts to apply these specific verbal responses so as not to lose friends and alienate yourself.

The Meta Model – Therapeutic Process (7)

Please note that when you use this ( or any ) process with clients you are at best creating a context where they can change their own situation.

Now lets get down to doing with just a few examples. The example will take the form of a ‘clients’ verbalisation of a problem and the specific ‘form’ of the Meta Model response for this particular problem – got the picture already?

Notice there is no requirement to know the labels for these ‘responses’.

One thing that really is worth keeping in mind if you choose to practice recognising from and responding to in this way to others ( or your self ) –
do do it respectfully and with rapport!

The ‘problems’ or stuck states statements are presented in RED and the verbal responses in GREEN

You must stop allowing her to drown out your ideas!

How exactly do you propose I stop her? How specifically does she drown out my ideas?

I want you to run over to the shops and say hello to Harry!

Will you specify how I aught to say it and do you have any specific way of running in mind that I should do as I follow your order my Lord?

Its easy, you just juggle the balls, you throw them and catch them!

Oh come on! How should I throw and catch them? How do you juggle?

That person is always nasty, he has been bullying me!

How has that person been nasty, how exactly has he been bullying you?


You have to change your habitual as you seem to think your behaving poorly!

As you seem to know, what process am I using to think? Any way as your being so helpful, how about letting me know exactly how to make the change you propose.

All of the above ‘interventions‘ take the form of a response to verbal processes or process words that have been completely unspecified. That is the ‘how to’ is missing and undefined. This is one of the most easy Meta Model patterns to detect.

Listen out for Verbs or Process words. Words that describe some action but fail to describe how the action aught to be performed. In this sense all verbs and process words are unspecified. The response to detect or elicit the missing ‘how to’ is also very simple.

• How specifically?
• How?
• What are the steps?
• How exactly should I ()?

enjoy

nigel hetherington

Communicating Excellence
Excellence in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy