Practical NLP Podcast

This week's episode features a format you can use to get lots of viable creative ideas from even the most unpromising groups, or that you can use to generate ideas yourself even if you don't regard yourself as 'creative' - it's the 'Disney Strategy for Creativity', modelled and developed by Robert Dilts. Includes: 00.40: How I helped people from the world's least creative professions to generate great ideas! 02.18: The three stages of the Disney Strategy 02:40: Detailed guide to each stage 03:20: A tip from NLP to get yourself into a more creative state 05:19: Some different ways of working with the format Plus: 09:09 I talk about the episode of Robyn Stratton-Berkessel's 'Positivity Strategist' podcast where she interviews me about the links between NLP and Appreciative Inquiry - listen to the interview here And finally (and entirely unrelated and nothing to do with NLP) - 09:55: Why you need to know about the new EU VAT regulations if you supply digital goods like ebooks, audio downloads or online courses, especially if you're not VAT registered! More details at euvataction.org The format for the Disney Strategy is described here - the blog post is pretty much a transcript for most of the episode. Duration: 11m37s Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed:  http://nlppod.com/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app for iOS or Android devices (phones and tablets). Image of Walt Disney from NASA website via Wikipedia

This week we start to get to grips with ‘Strategies’ - our internal ‘programs’ for doing what we do, both problems and the things we’re good at - and the TOTE Model, the standard model used in NLP to make sense of them. Featuring: 00:48 - A neat exercise for 'warming up' a skeptical audience 03:57 - The definition of a 'strategy' in NLP 04:34 - Why syntax is important 04:47 - Gratuitous 'Itchy and Scratchy' reference 04:59 - How strategies are like recipes 06:11 - Why elicit strategies? 07:59 - Introducing the TOTE Model 12:30 - Strategy elements - the 'steps' within a strategy 14:22 - The role played by submodalities in strategies 15:03 - How to start analysing your own strategies The TOTE Model - Test, Operate, Test, Exit The first Test is the one that sets the whole process off. It's a comparison of the current state with the desired state. The first Test essentially asks "Have we achieved our goal yet?", and the specifics of what the goal is and the criteria going into that comparison vary depending on which strategy it is. The Operate stage is one or more steps that could be gathering information from the outside world, performing some action, remembering something, making comparisons, or creating internal representations. The second Test is a comparison to answer the question "Have we achieved our goal yet?" using the same criteria that were established by the first Test. If the answer is "Yes", then we Exit the strategy. If the answer is "No", we loop round and repeat the Operate stage again. Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed:  http://nlppod.com/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app for iOS or Android devices (phones and tablets). Duration: 17m31s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

This week's podcast is a quick guide to how metaphors are used in NLP and how to create them. Featuring: How metaphor is fundamental to how we think and express ourselves Why an angry person is like a volcano and a relationship is like a journey How talking about hummingbirds could resolve a conflict with your business partner How to avoid making a fool of yourself with the wrong metaphor ... and much more! Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed:  http://nlppod.com/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app for iOS or Android devices (phones and tablets). Duration: 8m23s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes! Really, this little podcast episode is only scratching the surface of what you can do with metaphors. For a deeper understanding, get this great instructional audio from Jonathan Altfeld: The Metaphor Machine. It gives you an even more subtle and powerful method for creating useful metaphors than the 'standard' NLP approach (which I couldn't share in this little podcast because a) it's not mine to share and b) there's a lot of material there, too much to fit into the podcast format! You can order it as a two-CD set, or download it instantly in MP3 format.

The final part in our epic series on the Milton Model covers some patterns with offputting names! But they are easier to understand and use than the names would suggest. So find out about: Examples of 'Switching Referential Index' you can actually use How to make the 'Selectional Restriction Violation' feel more user-friendly And of course, 'Tag Questions', innit? Plus how tips on how to learn the Milton Model Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed:  http://nlppod.com/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app for iOS or Android devices (phones and tablets). Duration: 11m45s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

Continuing with our exploration of the Milton Model and how to use it, this episode covers 'embedded suggestions' - a way of embedding a word or phrase within a longer sentence that your listener's unconscious mind will hear as a suggestion, without their conscious mind noticing. This is useful for changework and coaching, for encouraging people you care about to feel better or more motivated, and of course for influencing people to feel and act in the directions you would like them to. Even more usefully, this episode helps you to stop inadvertently making embedded suggestions that are discouraging or unhelpful! Featuring: How to covertly mark out your embedded suggestions How to turn a question into a suggestion How to practice Milton Model patterns The strange British custom of taking their children to the supermarket to punish them ... and much more! Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed:  http://nlppod.com/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app for iOS or Android devices (phones and tablets). Duration: 9m15s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

This week something a bit different - social media expert Sarah Arrow of sarkemedia.com interviewing me about how NLP can help bloggers and people using social media in their marketing. I posted the video of the interview (done via Google Hangouts) previously - here is the audio from it. OK, you don't get to see Sarah, but on the other hand you won't get distracted by Hangouts' automated cutting from her to me and back! Sound quality not up to its usual standard this week (Hangouts inserted some weird 'underwater' noises) but I hope you'll find some useful tips. Also there's no transcript this week - but the podcast is longer than usual at 29m30s. Featuring: how to stop yourself reacting to 'hurtful' blog comments how to use perceptual positions in crafting your message my top three tips on how to use NLP in blogging and other written communication I mispronounce 'Mehrabian'... and lots more! Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed:  http://nlppod.com/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 29m30s If you liked this podcast, please give it a review on iTunes!

This week we go deeper into the Milton Model, considering Pacing, Utilisation and Ambiguities. Includes: How to communicate directly to the unconscious mind so the conscious mind doesn't notice How to use 'pacing' to influence a meeting Four types of ambiguity ... and some funny newspaper headlines Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed:  http://nlppod.com/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 14m43s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

Part 2 of the Practical NLP Milton Model podcast covers language patterns that can be classed as Generalisations and Deletions. Most commentaries on the Milton Model describe its use in trance inductions - here we look at some practical examples for a business context. Includes: How to use universals to help your coaching clients or employees find the morale-boosting examples that are most relevant to them How to use 'nominalisations' to get the listener to look at a situation more objectively Why 'unspecified verbs' are the antidote to micromanaging ... and much more! Following on from the previous episode which covered 'Distortions', this podcast covers the following patterns: Generalisations 6.  Universal Quantifiers Words such as “all, every, always, never, everyone” which make universal generalisations. “Every breath takes you deeper into trance” “All the things you are learning…” “Every ‘no’ brings you closer to a ‘yes’” 7.  Modal Operators Words which imply possibility or necessity, and which (necessity) imply rules. “And you can really enjoy your new learnings” “A person has to let things go some time" “We’re going to have to make the investment sooner or later” Deletions 8.  Nominalisations Processes (usually but not always verbs) which have been 'frozen' and turned into nouns. Abstract concepts that we talk about as if they were things. “You will receive a notification of our decision in due course” "I'm really pleased with your performance" 9.  Unspecified Verbs A verb that does not tell you what happened in a sensory specific way. “You’re growing in many new ways” “Continue to relax and slow down, and learn new things” “Just get out there and sell!” 10. Unspecified referential index A noun or pronoun that doesn’t refer to a particular thing in the real world (i.e. it has no ‘referential index’). “People can learn easily when they relax" “This is an enjoyable experience” “Certain memories can surprise and delight you” 11.  Simple deletions Part of the information is missing, so the listener has to fill in the gaps from their own experiences and map of the world. “You may be curious” “Remember a time when you were spoken to pleasantly” 12.  Comparative Deletions  (Unspecified Comparison) The sentence does not specify what something is being compared to. “Things are better all round” “This is a more competitive product” Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed: http://coachingleaders.co.uk/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 10m53s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!  

The Milton Model part 1 If you want to influence people in any way, you need to know about the language patterns in NLP's 'Milton Model'. These are the 'artfully vague' patterns modelled by Richard Bandler and John Grinder from the great 20th century hypnotherapist and father of 'indirect suggestion', Milton Erickson. Most books covering the Milton Model look at it in terms of use in hypnosis; this podcast focuses more on applications in business and everyday life. Includes: What a therapist can teach you about influencing people The one little word that will increase compliance with your requests by 50% or more How turning the Meta Model on its head makes you more influential As well as introducing the Milton Model and why you should be interested in it, this podcast outlines the first few patterns in the model, the ones we can class as 'Distortions': 1.  Mind Read Speaking as if you know the thoughts or feelings of another without explaining how you know. “I know that you are wondering how to use this” “You may be wondering…” 2.  Lost Performatives (Judgements) Value judgments where the performer of the value judgment is not mentioned (“lost”). “And it’s OK to feel a bit confused at this point...” 3.  Cause & Effect Where it is stated or implied that one thing causes another.  Examples: A makes B happen If... then... As you... then you... While you...., your competition will... “Could you let me in, I'm in a rush?” “When realise how to use the Milton Model, you'll be a master of influence” 4.  Complex Equivalence Where two things that are not the same are equated, or one is taken as implying the other  “Increased productivity means higher profits” or “Time is money” 5.  Presuppositions Things which have to be assumed to be true for the sentence to be understood. “…and 10 is where you’re going to be when you’ve solved the problem” (Presupposition: you’re going to solve the problem) “When you've told me what you need, we'll be clearer about how I can help” (Presuppositions: you’re going to tell me what you need, and there is some way that I can help) Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed: http://coachingleaders.co.uk/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 14m34s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

This week's episode concludes our exploration of the Meta Model with the group of patterns we can class as Deletions, and the associated questions to recover the missing information. We also include some vital tips for using the Meta Model in practice, so you don't become a 'Meta Model Monster' and annoy everyone around you. Includes: The unfortunate side-effect of language that tricks us into believing that abstract concepts are real Why Meta Model patterns are not "violations" and the questions aren't "challenges" - no matter what you may have read in NLP books The vital tips that will let you use the Meta Model without getting slapped! Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed: http://coachingleaders.co.uk/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 15m12s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

In this podcast we continue to explore the set of 'marker' language patterns and associated magic questions for uncovering missing information or helping us to realign our 'mental maps' with reality that in NLP is known as the 'Meta Model'. This week we're focusing on the patterns that can be broadly classed as 'generalisations'. These include 'universal quantifiers' - what we would normally think of as 'generalisations' in everyday English- plus 'modal operators', the 'rules' about what we or others must, should or ought to do (generalisations about necessity) and about what we can or can't do (generalisations about possibility). Includes: The tip-off words for spotting a generalisation Why sweeping generalisations feel true to the person making them A subtle way to 'challenge' shoulds, oughts and musts without losing rapport Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed: http://coachingleaders.co.uk/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 7m04s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

In this week's podcast we start exploring the set of magic questions called the ‘Meta Model’, which help you to uncover missing information, challenge generalisations, and straighten out distortions. These questions are going to be ultra-useful to you in all kinds of contexts therapy, coaching, business, and not least in your own personal development and aspects of everyday life, like parenting and spotting the tricks that politicians and sales people play. Includes: What to say if someone says "I know you don't like me" How to respectfully challenge value judgements How people's unconsciously-held beliefs show up in what they say ... and much more! Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed: http://coachingleaders.co.uk/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 17m23s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

In this week's podcast we learn about 'chunking' - how people parcel up information into three or four 'chunks' in their working memory. We get our heads round the ladder of abstraction, or 'Hierarchy of Ideas', from big picture all the way down to details. Includes: Why you are likely to be promoted and rewarded more if you are comfortable with a high level of abstraction Why listening to a lecture with a lot of long words sends you into a trance Why chunking sideways is the essence of creativity What happens if you interrupt a detail-focused person if they're telling you about their day ... and much more! Here's the diagram referred to in the podcast (feel free to use this on your own blog by the way): Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed: http://coachingleaders.co.uk/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 16m10s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!

This week's podcast continues to explore different kinds of presuppositions in language. As this is part 2, it would definitely be worth you listening to part 1 first so you get the complete list of linguistic presuppositions. This episode covers these types of presupposition: Awareness Time Adverb/Adjective Inclusive and exclusive Or Ordinal It also features some useful tips on questioning for coaches, a couple of exercises to practice identifying presuppositions, and my dodgy Milton Erickson impression! Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed: http://coachingleaders.co.uk/feed/podcast/ For the most convenient way to listen to this podcast on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, get the free Practical NLP Podcast app. Duration: 11m04s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes! Image by fangol at sxc.hu

In this week's podcast we start to look at 'linguistic presuppositions' or presuppositions in language - the implicit statements embedded in what people say or write that you have to take as true ('presuppose') in order to make sense of it. When you can spot these, you can 'read between the lines' of what someone is saying or writing to discover their unstated beliefs and assumptions. You can also build presuppositions into your own language in order to help your audience or clients to make changes - to loosen limiting beliefs, get them to change their minds, or to make a sale easier. This episode tells you how to recognise and use four different kinds of presupposition: Existence Possibility or Necessity Cause and Effect Complex Equivalence ... with five more to come in the next episode! Listen and/or subscribe to this podcast via iTunes here If you want to subscribe using something other than iTunes (e.g. if you have an Android phone), here’s the feed: http://coachingleaders.co.uk/feed/podcast/ Duration: 11m43s If you liked this podcast, please review it on iTunes!