"Everything in NLP people have been doing since humans have been walking up right and communicating. "  - Mark Andreas

The Cheat Sheet:

• 
  
• Why experiences are so much more important than words.
  
• The well-formed outcome: what is it and why does it matter?
  
• Why making an emotion magically disappear isn't good for us.
  
• The power of improv.
  
• How to test and explore if a technique is right for you.
  
• And so much more!
  

NLP has gotten quite a reputation over the years. Some people swear by it and others think it's a load of BS. Today's show will give you a better idea of what it is and whether or not it's something you'd use or want to use in your life.

Mark Andreas joins us for this episode of The Art of Charm; we get into the nuts and bolts of NLP, including some real-life techniques you can test on yourself to limit anxiety and other emotions. We'll also talk about his background, how he defines NLP and how we can take control of our thoughts in any situation.

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Mark Andreas grew up in a household of NLP practitioners, you could say it's been with him since birth.

His mom and dad, Connirae and Steve Andreas, were both personally trained by the two founders of NLP, John Grinder and Richard Bandler. His parent then went on to started one of the first NLP training institutes in Colorado, called the NLP Comprehensive. They also developed new processes, tools, techniques and worked with individuals doing their own trainings.

For Mark, NLP and the stories attached to it were always in the background. He heard incredible stories of positive change and shifts people made in their lives as a result of NLP. People who were able to shift an area of their life in a way they never had before.

He was just fascinated by how change could happen so quickly and yet be so positive in their outcome.

As a young adult, Mark studied Peace and Global Studies in college; he has long held an interest in resolving conflicts whether internally or externally. 

Now that NLP has become his work, Mark would define it as the study of how our brains encode experience. once we understand that, if we change those codings then our experience changes. It's a more nuts & bolts practical tool you can use with yourself to manage your state and communicate more effectively.

So what are some NLP tools that can help us in real-life? Mark graciously offered two techniques we can try at home, test these out and see if they work for you.

In this first simple exercise think of a positive memory. And now notice: are you seeing yourself in this memory or is it like you're looking through your eyes? Remember that memory like you're actually in it, experiencing it again and feel everything you associate with that memory.

Now set that memory aside and think of a negative experience. Notice do you see yourself in it or is it like you're inside it, looking through your eyes?

Next remember this experience like you're watching it in on TV. What's it like now? Is it easier to remember it? Often if we look at a negative experience as though we are outside of it, it's a useful way to deal with it. We can do this in the moment, when something negative happens to us. If you found this exercise helpful, try it the next time you're in the midst of a negative experience and see if it helps.

Mark also offered this technique for overcoming anxiety. Again, try it at home and see if it lessens your anxiety. If it does, use it in your next real-life experiences.

First think of a situation in the past when you've felt anxiety. BE in it so you're actually experiencing the emotions. Now pay attention to what you are saying to yourself?

If you don't have something automatically pop up, ask If I were saying something to myself to generate this anxiety what would I be saying?

Next notice location of this voice, where do you hear this voice? Where in your body? Mark said he heard it behind his right ear, do you hear a voice somewhere?  Now what happens when you put that voice back into your toe? Does it lessen the anxiety or not? If it does lessen it, use this exercise in the future.

Mark and I cover so much more territory in this show, but those tools give you a glimpse into what his NLP practice is all about. Listen to show and send me your feedback; I'd love to hear what you thought about this topic, if you tried the exercises and they helped or didn't help. Let me know!

Resources from this episode:

Mark's web site
Mark's Blog (with other NLP techniques)
Using Your Brain For Change, Richard Bandler
Heart Of The Mind, Connirae Andreas and Steve Andreas

You'll also like:
-The Art of Charm Toolbox
-Best of The Art of Charm Podcast

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