A Certified NLP Practitioner’s Learning Experience of NLP – Rose Toh

It has been a rather interesting journey for me to learn that many of the things I do on a conscious or unconscious level is a result of experiences & perceptions that was accumulated and processed in my mind, which often operates at a sub-conscious level. 

To be an NLP coach is a continuous learning process of always remembering the language and words I use, as it will have a direct bearing on the results I get when working with clients. I personally appreciate the way NLP has helped me to understand the lessons on the presuppositions and why our sub-conscious mind is truly remarkable. 

I feel I have come to a better understanding of the applications the second time around as I begin to understand better the thought processes that any words, feelings and experiences help to shape and create. 

The definition of NLP using the 5 senses of sight, sound, feel, smell & taste and the verbal & non-verbal modes of communication affected by the 5 senses all combined to create the impressions and experiences that I live with on a daily basis. 

The Map Is Not the Territory 

Firstly, the lessons taught about the way information is interpreted, when first viewed then allowing my internal filters to either delete, distort or generalize the events according to my own values & beliefs system, and the questions and answers I then internalize with my associated memories of similar events and the decisions I make, all contribute to the person I am today. 

It was certainly interesting to know that although I only needed to apply 5 simple principles for success, namely knowing what I want, then taking the necessary action while being aware of what’s going on around me, having the ability to be flexible and to always operate on a positive level, physically & emotionally, I may still not achieve the success I want as I am not clear about what I want, lack the necessary resources or cannot resolve my own conflicting values about what I want. 

Going through the exercises and demonstrations with my fellow team-mates and my coach helped open some painful ‘doors’, yet I realize by allowing myself to be vulnerable I reap the benefit of the lesson taught in each module. 

The lessons we learnt on observing people, listening to their commonly used terminology, their ‘predicates’ as we are taught, helps us define the type of people we may be dealing with, yet at the same time, we are also taught that people may hide their true intentions and we as the coaches, have to be prepared to be flexible in trying different techniques to get at the real reasons our clients may be hiding. 

NLP Eye Patterns – Eye Accessing Cues 

Learning about the eye pattern chart and knowing that most humans do give away their actual processes through the way they move their eyes to either the left or right, upward or downward motions was certainly an ‘eye-opening’ lesson in itself. 

Although the lessons about ‘the different ‘Anchoring’ processes was and still is not an easy matter (I realize that not all people are highly visual or kinesthetic like me), I believe that the constant practice with my supportive group members will help me in honing my skills as an NLP practitioner. As the saying goes, ‘Practice makes perfect’ may be what I need to be a better NLP practitioner. 

Learning to use ‘sub-modalities’ then to help build rapport with others and to allow me to know what my friends, clients of team-mates are thinking or feeling will  help me in dealing with people around me. 

I work with severely disabled people and it is a great challenge to gauge their thoughts as many are unable to respond verbally and a great number can only move their eyes and there is little or no emotions on their faces. Some of them, because of their physical limitations, though able to speak, find their words may not always be clear to us though these people show great patience in repeating their words until we understand what they say. 

NLP also teaches me that through the conscious use of language, we can uplift people and by applying the chunking up or down processes, depending on what we are looking for, we either move towards a higher plane of understanding or move towards looking deeper into an issue. 

While I realize NLP has the potential to being out the best in me, I must still constantly remind myself to step out of my comfort zone, as I may sometimes still fall back to my past bad habits. 

Indeed, it is definitely a process of change and acceptance and while I may have a long way to go to make some definite changes, I must say NLP has helped me understand why I do some of the things I do and I have the option to say I do not choose to be in an uncomfortable position or feeling and can move to another state in an instant. 

I am grateful for the learning in a positive and non-judgemental environment, where I am taught the process of visualization, self-acknowledgement and intentions and set the way for a better understanding and appreciation of myself and all those around me. 

Rose Toh, Certified NLP Practitioner and Graduate of Acme Achievers