The Subconscious Mind And NLPÂ
It has been said that around 95% of your life is controlled by your subconscious mind. As a result, most of the things you do are done without having to consciously think about them.
For example, when you first learn how to drive you had to consciously think about what you were doing. It most likely took a lot of effort and concentration to remember how, what and when to do things.
However once you had learnt to drive and started driving by yourself for awhile, pretty quickly it became automatic and very little was thought about consciously.
The Automatic Mind
This is an extremely interesting phenomenon of the brain, because what it means is that the things we do continually on a daily basis (habitual behaviours) we do unconsciously, without thinking about them.
This then leaves our conscious mind to do other things. A good example of this occurs when driving a car and speaking to someone at the same time.
Your subconscious mind drives the car, while your conscious mind talks to the other person. Often you end up at your house, and realise you haven’t even been paying attention to the road!
You Only Control 5% Of Your Life
Your subconscious mind is therefore responsible for controlling all sorts of habitual behaviours, meaning that a lot of the things you do (around 95% of your daily activities) are done automatically and under control of the subconscious mind.
Unfortunately, some of these habitual behaviours might not be good for you, and will sabotage your attempts at leading a more disciplined life.
To help counter this you need to get into touch with your subconscious and communicate with it, so that it will cooperate with your goal to lead a disciplined life.
To do this, you first need to determine your predominant thought processes.
Neuro Linguistic Programming Models
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) models state that people think and perceive things using 3 different NLP models. Visual, Auditory or Kinesthetic.
NLP Model 1 - Visual
Visual people make sense of words by recalling or constructing images in their mind. If they can’t make a mental picture of what you are saying, they may have trouble understanding you.
Visual people tend to use words such as “I see”, “I can see the light” and “I can see what you mean”. Visual people will also tend to describe things in detail, painting a picture that you can mentally see.
In relationships these people tend to be primarily attracted to the way other people look.
NLP Model 2 - Auditory
Auditory people make decisions based largely on how things sound. They often talk and/or repeat things to themselves in order to understand something.
Auditories tend to use phrases like “that sounds great” and “I hear you loud and clear”. It is not uncommon to find auditory people humming or singing to themselves whilst they work.
In relationships these people find tone of voice to be seductive and attractive.
NLP Model 3 - Kinesthetic
Kinesthetic people are feeling people, and tend to react through a feeling mode. They get a gut emotion talking to you, and may feel hot or cold about you after just a few minutes.
Kinesthetic’s may also be more sensitive and emotional people, using phrases such as “that really hurt me”, “I can feel your pain” and “I feel great”.
These people are attracted to others who make them feel a certain way.
What Is Your NLP Model?
Most people are able to easily identify their predominant NLP model. However it is important to note that these are just guidelines, and in reality you most likely use all 3 models. Although you will probably use 1 or 2 NLP models the most.
By determining your predominant NLP model, you can now undertake a 6 step process that will help you to communicate with your subconscious.
This will allow you to align your emotions, behaviours and memories to become more supportive of your goal to lead a self disciplined life.
Great post, nice explanation of techniques – I particularly like the graphics, I must have a visual lead rep system.