NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) in a nutshell and from the little I know is a system of reprogramming the brain to solve problems/difficulties and to improve success in learning.
My dad told me about it many years ago not long after I confessed that my degree was going badly (my assesment at the time was that it was beyond repair) He told me because he wanted to practice/use it on me. At the time I think it worked. After I passed my degree I forgot about NLP instantly… until I heard it mentioned in a recent TV series by Paul Mckenna on Sky one in which he reveals that he has progressed from mere entertainment by hypnosis and now helps people with real problems… using amongst other things NLP.
I mentioned this to my dad a few weeks ago. He told me that the practice he did on me was actually a case study for his PHD. I, his youngest son, was his case study!
Anyway… Since that conversation I have become curious. I bought a book on it many years ago but didn’t read much of it. Now I’ve located the book and am reading it. I want to know if there are any Dopers who know about it who may be able to tell me whether it’s worth persuing or whether it is just another psychology fad? Part of me is intrigued with the prospect of being able to solve people’s personal problems with a few simple mind tricks. (but I know it’s not a toy)
I am a psycologist and I have never heard a reputable psychologist in the US endorse it. Can’t speak for other places and I don’t know much about it. I did find this, though:
MadderMitch It’s a Star Wars reference: these are not the droids you are looking for.
I’ve read a bit about NLP, and it’s one of those things you’d wish could work because it would be so fast and simple. I have serious doubts, as very little in life is fast or simple.
Ah, not a Lucas fan. Wouldn’t have helped much even if I had more buzzer time.
I don’t know. I use to have a (mild) fear of speaking in public, but now it doesn’t seem to bother me. Funny thing is the change was overnight.
It happened when someone changed the significance of what public speaking meant to me.
Before it would mean a great deal of fear of tripping up, losing face in front of people and appearing silly or weak or goofy.
But then this dude (a tramp, would ya believe it? Like in the movies) actually asked me why I was going to speak in the first place.
When I thought of all the reasons (like changing people’s perspectives on things; which is really important to me. Or feeling connected to the world etc.) why I wanted to talk, it all seemed so much easier to me. My fears proved unfounded, and I did just fine. Never had the same phobia of public speaking (room full of about 100 people or important situations like a board meeting) since.