NLP (neurolinguistic programming)

NLP or neurolinguistic programming deals with the relationships between how we think (neuro), how we communicate with ourselves and others (linguistic) and our habitual behaviours and emotions (programming). Basically, it studies the structure of how we think and experience the world. This is obviously very subjective and does not lend itself to precise, statistical formulae. Instead it leads to models of how our minds work. From these models, techniques for quickly and effectively changing thoughts, behaviours and beliefs that limit you have been developed.

Patterns of thought and behaviours set up "neural pathways" in our brains. A neural response will go down the most used path - the path of least resistance. For example, you're feeling good and then you get home. You walk in the door and see the mess the kids (or your flatmates) have left. The visual stimulus of seeing the mess sets up a neural response which takes the path of least resistance - and you immediately react in the same way that you have reacted every other time this has happened, even although you know that it isn't going to help the situation. You may have promised yourself that you're going to try a different strategy the next time this happens but you find yourself reacting in the same old way.

With NLP, you can re-program that neural response to help you develop a different strategy for handling the situation. NLP is beneficial for many different issues. Thought and behaviour patterns that no longer serve you can be changed. Issues like phobias can be helped. Old beliefs that are limiting you (e.g. "I'm no good at public speaking/making friends/building my business, etc", "I'll never be successful", "I'll always be poor", "Life is hard") can be identified and changed to beliefs that empower you.