Part Six in a series by Michael Watson

This is the sixth installment in our exploration of the presuppositions of NLP.  And we’ve only got a couple presuppositions left to share with you.  This episode is about communication and it comes along just at the right time in our sequence.  We left off last issue talking about the importance of flexibility and how success depends on it.  We considered how valuable a skill it is to be able to vary our behavior … to roll with the punches … to adjust and adapt to whatever comes our way until we get what we’re going for. 

And in all of our experience there is nowhere that flexibility is more important than in our communication.  

Of course we’re always communicating, and we do it through multiple channels.   That’s the meaning of the next of our essential attitudes:

COMMUNICATION IS REDUNDANT

If you were to become angry about something you might put on a “mad face”, and your skin may change color, and your tone of voice would likely change.  Your posture might shift. Certain gestures may be generated. Perhaps there will be some foot stamping, or door slamming. The words you say are only one part of rich communications system that expresses itself in multiple channels. 

This is one of the reasons that NLP really prizes sensory acuity.  The ability to detect both overt and subtle signals is worth developing. Being aware of many channels at once can offer us a great deal of information that could be missed.  Have you ever noticed how sometimes a person might say, “I really am happy about (whatever)” while shaking their head side to side as if to say “No”? Or smiling politely and sociably, while tapping a foot impatiently, or clenching a jaw … or a fist?

We’re always communicating something.  Couples know how deafening the silent treatment can be, and how much you can say by NOT talking.  Yet while we can’t NOT communicate, it’s not always a successful operation.

Part of the challenge lies in the language.  We may use the same words, but they don’t mean the same thing to each of us.  It’s easy to run into misunderstandings in our relationships when people use fluffy words like “loyalty”, “trust”, “love”, “support” or “faith” for instance … and they lead us to have certain expectations – based on our OWN understanding of those words – that may be quite different than the other person’s understanding.  Nowhere in Webster’s Dictionary does it say that “husband” means “somebody who will put up with criticism from his mother in law” … or that “wife” is “the woman who does all of the cooking”.  We all make up our own meanings.  Using the same words, we each speak our own language.  And it’s a miracle that we ever successfully communicate at all.

And because the words are so tenuous, we depend on inflection and gesture and expression to further convey our meaning.  Perhaps you’ve had the experience of being misunderstood on the internet, or in a text message or letter because your joking tone didn’t come through. (LOL)

                                                             INTENDED MESSAGE = MESSAGE RECEIVED

Getting the point across.  Understanding and being understood.  That’s what successful communication is all about.  And in the world where results are important, it’s the impact of the communication that matters most.  The test of success is in the message received.  And that’s what the next presupposition is about:

THE MEANING OF YOUR COMMUNICATION IS THE RESPONSE THAT IT GETS

 Effective communication is communication that has the desired effect as shown by the response it elicits. 

A teacher that I know was growing frustrated with his students one day.  He said to me, “I tell them once. I’ll tell them a second time. And then if they don’t get it, that’s THEIR problem.”  But in fact, it’s his problem if what he wants is to be understood.

We get an idea, we want to express it, we put it into words and we speak, our job isn’t done.  It’s only just begun.

When I was a child my mother used to ask, “How many times do I have to tell you?”  Knowing what I know now, I’d have to say “Just once, Mom … But could you do it more effectively?”

The communication you’re sending out is your responsibility … because it’s your agenda.  And I don’t mean responsibility in the sense of blame.  Perhaps, to say it another way, you’re communicating because you want to be understood, right?  So the task is to make that happen. 

This presupposition reminds us of the good news.  You can know how well you’re doing by paying attention to the responses you’re getting.

Remember that it isn’t just the words and that you have gestures and voice tone and facial expressions and more to help you. Use them. (And notice them in others.) 

Earlier we talked about the importance of flexibility and adjusting your behavior/communication until it has the effect you want.  Make those adjustments … watch for responses … keep adjusting until you’ve got it.  Message Received. 

So what does this have to offer hypnotherapists?

This presupposition is an essential attitude for hypnotherapists.   It reminds us to be guided by our client’s responses during our intake, when we’re doing inductions and throughout our sessions. We listen and speak and observe carefully.  Then we use our flexibility to tweak, adjust, fine tune.  This is the Principle of Utilization.

All of the presuppositions are valuable to us in our work with clients.  They remind us about the uniqueness and resourcefulness of our clients, they support and encourage growth and discovery, and they offer us clues about how to proceed.

Of course all of the presuppositions are equally valuable to us in our lives.  Helping us appreciate the others in our lives, keep us open to possibilities.  They remind us to cut people slack, refraining from judgment and seeking understanding.

These essential attitudes are far reaching ideas.  Collectively they lead to a paradigm that is the foundation of a modern approach to self-management, influence and change, and to life itself.

Part Five in a series by Michael Watson

This is the fifth installment in our discussion about the essential attitudes of NLP.  So far we’ve considered the uniqueness of individuals, and how they create experience.  We’ve looked at the positive intentions behind people’s behavior, and the importance of the power of choice.

And because people DO have choice – whether they know it or not – the question becomes how to make those choices available and apply them to make a difference in their lives.

So when you’re trying to expand possibilities and open up more choice, the thing to bear in mind is this next presupposition

PEOPLE HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES THEY NEED

And I know that it often doesn’t seem to be the case.  Because the problem is, they don’t always have access to these resources when they need them.  For example, a timid (and therefore unsuccessful) salesman came to see me and said that he needed to “have more courage, take more chances, stop hesitating and be more proactive.” All qualities that he felt he was missing.  Yet just a couple weeks before he’d come to see me, he was a HERO at a lakeside park when he bravely and without hesitation dove into ice cold water and rescued a little girl who had fallen in.  Every one of the qualities he wanted in his sales work, he’d already displayed in another context.

And when someone comes to the conclusion that a particular quality is desirable and would help them in a given situation, how did they come to that conclusion?  They already had a built-in representation of that quality or state.

Christina Hall, one of the unsung (in the US) co-creators of NLP has suggested that this presupposition isn’t true only when it means that a person has that resource in their history.  It’s true because that person has a human neurology … and that’s the requirement … all the needed resources can be created in the mind, translated into experience, and brought into real-life situations.

Now when we’ve learned to do that … and begin making those changes, we just might discover that the resources we chose weren’t the best ones.  And just like raising children, developing and cultivating a garden, driving across the country through uncharted territory or sending a spaceship to the moon, you pay close attention to how it’s working and you keep making adjustments until you get it right.  And that’s what’s behind the next presupposition.

THERE IS NO SUCH THINGS AS FAILURE; ONLY FEEDBACK

What a relief THAT is!  When we learn to pay attention to what’s working and what’s not working, and use that information to adjust what we’re doing, and keep at it till we get there - this is the meaning of T.O.T.E.

                   Test à Operate à Test à Exit

We notice the current state of affairs (test 1) … we take some action to change it (operate ) … we notice how things are now (test 2) … and we continue operating and testing and operating and testing … until the test is “successful” – it’s produced the result we were going for.  And then we’re done. (Exit, stage right).

Failure is success that stopped too soon, they say.  You haven’t failed if you’re still going for it.  And even if you stop going for it, if it gave you some useful feedback – if you learned something you can apply later – you’ve succeeded at THAT.

There’s an expression in the NLP community that I’ve found very helpful, and that can be very encouraging when you’re working with some challenging areas of your life. 

“Anything worth doing is worth doing badly at first.”

Consider this.  (From my good friend Jamie Smart) When you were a little baby, you didn’t know anything about walking.  You may have pulled yourself up by the edge of the sofa or something … and stood for a moment or two, before you came crashing down.  And eventually you took a step … and likely fell on your behind.  And I’ll bet that happened several times.  And you never failed … because you never just sat down on the floor and decided, “Well, I guess I’m just not a walker!”  Because it was important enough that you kept at it - worth doing badly at first – until you got it down.

Now I can understand why some people get frustrated and quit … especially if they don’t know have the next essential attitude.

THERE’S A SOLUTION TO EVERY PROBLEM

 It’s hard to keep on going if you don’t think the problem can ever be solved or the challenge can ever be met, or the dream can ever be realized.  But it’s really worthwhile, especially if you’re a coach or therapist, to start out with the understanding that whatever it is, there is a solution.  And if you do work with others, it would certainly be unscrupulous for you to collect fees from them if you didn’t believe that their issues could be resolved.  In fact, one fo the greatest services we can do for others is to hold the space that allows for and in fact INSISTS on the possibility that they can get what they want.  That they can achieve their goals.  Optimistic? Perhaps.  Encouraging?  You bet!

So now that we’ve talked about the resources you have, the importance of using feedback, and the value of making adjustments and persisting until you achieve the results you want; there’s another presupposition that might help.  It’s known more formally as “The Law of Requisite Variety” but what it boils down to is:

THE ELEMENT IN A SYSTEM WITH THE MOST FLEXIBILITY WILL BE THE CONTROLLING ELEMENT IN THAT SYSTEM.

When we can learn to vary our behavior as much and as often as necessary, we have much more control than when our attitude is rigid and we only see one way to do things.  Creativity comes from thinking outside of the box … and that’s usually where the solutions lie. The ability to achieve includes and requires the ability to do things “every which way” … to keep making those adjustments we were talking about earlier.  And flexibility is the key to success.

Next time we’ll be wrapping up this series with a couple really important attitudes about communication.  If you have trouble getting your message across, or making sense out of some of the people in your life, this just might help.  So  ‘til then remember to practice flexibility, get feedback, use all resources you can summon up … and there won’t be any problem that you can’t solve.  Say good bye to failure, and keep on keeping on.

Part Four in a series by Michael Watson

This is the (long awaited) fourth installment in a series about the presuppositions of NLP.  Earlier installments can be found in the archives in May 2013.  I call these presuppositions essential attitudes, because the ones we’re including in this episode are paradigm shifting.  So be warned.  If you incorporate them into your thinking, the world (as you know it) might never be the same.

The essential attitudes I want to share with you in this segment are about choice, behavior, and purpose.

So fasten your seatbelts …

This next presupposition is especially important.  And when we take it to heart, it can yield some helpful insight about ourselves, our loved ones, our clients and associates.   It’s two presuppositions, really and so far reaching that we have to get there a step at time.  The first step is this corollary:

BEHAVIOR IS PURPOSEFUL

It is intention that drives behavior. No matter what we do, there is something we are trying to achieve by doing it.  Often the intention seems so obvious … and we don’t even think about it. Yet what seems obvious isn’t always so and occasionally we have to ask. “Why would someone DO such a thing!?”  This NLP presupposition encourages us to take a look at the intention behind the behavior.  “If behavior is purposeful … what purpose does it achieve?”

But the next step takes it a bit further, and in its fullest form the presupposition is expressed this way :

THERE IS A POSITIVE INTENTION BEHIND ALL BEHAVIOR

In training classes this one usually leads to a discussion of all the counterexamples … and names like Hitler and Dahmer and Manson come up.  In my personal opinion (and in spite of outward appearances) people don’t wake up in the morning with an intention to be evil.  Yet even these three, when viewed from their own perspective, were in pursuit of something that they needed or valued.  It may have been a tangible goal, or an emotional one.  And it may or may not have been conscious.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions … but so is the road to heaven. Good intentions aren’t the problem.  It’s their execution that isn’t working out well. There needs to be a better way.

This idea opens up a widely used and highly effective approach to change.

Clients often come to us claiming that they are unable to eliminate unwanted behaviors that don’t seem to serve them in any way.

I don’t believe that there really is a part of any of us that wants to smoke cigarettes, or overeat, or do anything against our will.  But there may be part of us that wants relaxation or comfort or some other positive experience and this is how it gets THAT.  So rather than seeking a remedy for smoking, we find better ways to relax.  It’s good to have a part of us that’s committed to getting that for us and we want it to succeed at that.

This is especially important, because many of our clients are asking for an exorcism of sorts.  They say in effect, ”I’ve got this (habit) and it’s got possession of me.  I can’t control it, and I want you to get rid of it.  Cast it out!”  I remember when I was in college a group of religious zealots who wanted to “cast the demon nicotine out of me.” And many well-meaning therapists and changeworkers attempt to do just that.  And when a part believes you’re trying to annihilate it, there really isn’t any rapport.  Just resistance and an absence of internal cooperation.  Especially since that part is the most important one in resolving the issue.  So it isn’t surprising that a lot of resistance comes up … or that the change isn’t lasting … when the positive intentions are ignored. 

On the other hand, good changework can be as exciting as Christmas Morning to a part that understands you’re going to help it get what it really, really wants.

Having better choices is where it’s at.  Being better equipped to get our deeper needs met is what growth is all about.  And that’s what makes the next essential attitude one of the most basic and most important:

CHOICE IS BETTER THAN NO CHOICE

Since behavior is purposeful, so are the choices we make as we move through the world.   This seems obvious, because the choices that we make really define our lives, don’t they?  From the activities we choose to engage in, the friends we make, the work we do, where we live, who we marry (or don’t marry), the beliefs we adhere to … We make our life through choices. In fact, making choices IS our life.

 

And yet some people don’t feel that they have choices about their behavior.  And every time a certain situation arises, they respond the same way – with some unwanted behavior. It seems to be on “automatic” – the default response – and the only choice available.

But one choice is no choice at all.  In fact, it’s a rut. 

And two choices is often a dilemma …

So it takes THREE choices to really have choice

And that brings us to the next presupposition of NLP:

PEOPLE MAKE THE BEST CHOICES AVAILABLE

Now I know it doesn’t always look like that.  And as I look around I see all kinds of folks ranging from world leaders to clients to colleagues to family members making some pretty lousy choices.  At least from my point of view.

But there are a couple important things to notice about this presupposition … a couple magic words that really impact its meaning.

“BEST” is the first magic word.  What criteria is being applied?  In NLP-speak we mean “most likely to succeed at achieving some outcome”.  More specifically, most likely to satisfy that positive intention we’ve been talking about.

“AVAILABLE” is the second magic word.   A person can only choose from the possibilities they have access to.  These possibilities vary from one person to another based on their beliefs and understandings, skills and abilities, and other resources.  

A wise teacher once said: “The obvious truth is what is so.  It is also, not so obviously, SO WHAT?!”

Do I need to remind you again that it isn’t a matter of whether these essential attitudes are true or not?  It’s more important to notice how they can help us.  How we can use them.

If we assume that there is a positive intention behind what people do, we can begin to use this attitude to let go of judgment and try to be more understanding of what people are really up to.  And when we know that – we can help them find a better way. 

Presuppositions are the place where we begin our thinking.  If we begin by presupposing that whatever people are doing is the best choice available to them, we can work on accessing more resources and making new choices available.

Incorporating these essential attitudes into your work can give you great insight, demonstrate a deeper respect for your clients and empower them to make meaningful changes.

How to make those adjustments is something we’ll cover more fully as the series continues …

Back in the 1960s and '70s when NASA was actively engaged in the pursuit of putting astronauts on the moon, the missiles were slightly off course over 90% of the trip.  And the ground crew in Houston, monitored their instruments.  And adjustments were made one  after another to keep things headed in the right direction. One degree here, two degrees there, until they arrived at their destination.

In this modern world we are all familiar with a GPS.  These guidance systems keep track of where we are and even advise us about the route to take.  And even when we vary from its instructions, the GPS will recalibrate and offer us new choices and new ways to get there.

Similarly, as we pursue our own goals and intentions, successful results come from getting feedback along the way and making one course correction after another until we accomplish our purposes.  Yet there is another hidden guidance system programmed and unconscious at work as well.  Virtual Questions can subtly lead us to ecstasy or agony, fulfilment or disappointment. Invisibly guiding us to places we may or may not want to go.

The task of a GPS is to answer one question ... and to keep asking and re-asking it - revising the answer as it goes along.    That question is simply "How do I get from here to there?".  As we journey thorough our own individual, private lives, the questions we ask ourselves unconsciously work the same way ...repetitiously checking for something ...  but the problem is they aren't just about how to get somewhere. They also influence our attitudes and imaginations in ways that can cause us great happiness and success ... or not.  So it's important to consider the questions you ask as you go down life's highway, and how they determine the results you get.


Now, virtual questions are generally unconscious and outside of your awareness. And depending on habituations of your "operating system" they may be words, or pictures in your mind.  Yet the words are likely to be inaudible and the images invisible ones. Or maybe you just have some feeling or vague sense about it. And still the inner GPS has been set and is continually checking for something.


For example, someone who is continually wondering (virtually, that is),  "Am I good enough?  Am I good enough?" might suffer from a debilitating degree of uncertainty and insecurity that limit his abilities and stop him in his tracks.  A woman who has suffered abuse or violence may, as result of those experiences, be constantly checking, "Am I safe? Am I safe? Am I safe?". and this internal unconscious checking creates a prevailing attitude that colors a person's entire life.   The effects are demonstrated through behaviors, attitudes, personalities and more.

My grandmother was a particularly critical woman. And she seemed to have TWO virtual questions. She applied them to everything (ranging from politics to family matters to the roast beef she was eating).  It was as if she was asking FIRST, "What's wrong with this?" ... and following it up with, "And whose fault is it?"   The consequences of her virtual questions made her miserable, disliked, and lonely. My understanding of her was transformed the moment I recognized the pattern.  I went from thinking, "What a hard, cruel woman!" to "What a bitch it must be to be HER!"

But just as virtual questions can trip us up, they can also lead to satisfaction and success and all kinds of desirable things. I know of a spiritual teacher who encourages this devotees to ask, "How can I see God in this situation?" or "What is wonderful about this moment?" An entrepreneur can use virtual questions to keep him alert to opportunities while a poet might set his guidance system to seek out moments of inspiration or a comedian might be asking "Where is the humor in this situation?".  

Whatever your virtual questions might be, we ask what we've learned to ask from our experiences, and we can learn something new.  We watch for what we've been taught to watch for.  And we can start watching for something new. Ask leading questions that lead you where you want to go.

Virtual questions are habitual ways of influencing your state, guiding your behavior, and effecting the general quality of your experience.  And bringing them to awareness is the first step to getting the best use out of them. Observing your own behavior and attitudes (especially unwanted ones) will give you some clues as to the quality of your own virtual questions. 

Considering what questions would help you have more of the rich and satisfying life you want is the second step.

Step three?  Practice those new questions regularly until they become new habits of thinking. 

How cool is that?

Often in seminars and workshops (and even therapy) people have "peak experiences".   They get an insight or a new understanding that seems helpful and empowering and then after a day or week, it fades.   A momentous insight can be a beautiful thing ... but we want to make certain that it doesn't just make for a good moment.  We want to be certain that the change is sufficient to address the issues of the past ... and resilient enough to transform the future.  In today's video, Michael speaks about how reimprinting is a powerful way to ensure that the change is sufficient to take care of what has gone before, and how it can lead to a more satisfying and successful future.

We hope that you're enjoying our mini-series.  If you have an interest in Core Transformation training, follow the link in the right hand column (or just click here) to get the details of our upcoming program in Orlando (Feb 7-9).

Welcome to our third mini-lesson in Core Transformation.  Today's topic is Perceptual Positions.

Although it wasn't included in the Core Transformation book, and isn't technically a part of the Core Transformation Process itself, Connirae Andreas explored Aligned Perceptual Positions (APP) and it is generally included in Core Transformation Trainings.

In any interaction between two people, there are three primary perceptual positions:  Self (you), Other (them), and Observer Position.  APP involves sorting the three positions and then aligning their various components.

To introduce the topic, this  lesson includes the opening frames about perceptual positions from a live training.

Now, as I said in the video, I don't want to oversimplify things.  After sorting out the positions, APP involves "aligning them".  Here are some examples of what we mean:  When you think about an interaction you've had in the past with another person, step into the "observer" position where you can see the entire interaction.  Notice, are the "self" and "other positions" equal distance from you on one side and the other?  Are they at eye level with you and with one another. What are you feeling? Are you feeling the feelings of an observer, or have you brought some of "you" into this position?  Are the sounds that you hear balanced in both ears?  These are just a few of the many elements that can be adjusted.

The process of aligning perceptual positions can transform all of your relationships as it gives you access to clean information and opens up some interesting possibilities.

For information about the upcoming Core Transformation Training in Orlando (February 7-9, 2014) click here.

When it comes to our potential, sometimes it seems that we live at the tip of the iceberg and are barely scratching the surface.  And it's as if there is such depth to our being that may never see the light of day.  But what if I were to tell you that it wants out.  And that, in fact, it's been taking a lot of effort to hold it all in.  But hold it in we do. Because it hasn't been out much, and it just doesn't know how to act in a socialized, sophisticated world.  And yet I'm convinced that the greatness within us is striving to emerge, and that when it does we can truly be ourselves.  Giving expression to our deepest longings, once we discover what they REALLY are, will bring us to life.  

In Core Transformation, we discover what our Core Outcomes are. What the deepest part of ourselves wants to bring forth.  It's been giving us clues all along.  In the moments of tragedy and despair, of challenge and frustration, of disappointment and hurt we learn something about what matters most to us.  And in those experiences of triumph and deep joy, of success and satisfaction, of richness and awe we see what's ultimately important.

We learn that it isn't really things that we seek ... or even the right set of circumstances ... but those states of fulfillment and resourcefulness and self expression that are within all of us.  Tapping into that richness and bringing it out into our lives offers a transformational experience that can resolve those situations that we've been struggling with and open us up to a creative flow of inspired possibilities.

In today's video lesson, we'll explain to you how we get to the core outcome beneath a presenting situation (in this case, "road rage" and then we'll show you a clip from a live Core Transformation Training where we apply the core outcome to the issues that led us there.

This short video is the second of five focusing in on the Core Transformation process. To get the whole set, subscribe to our blog (using the link in the right hand column). You can also read about Core Transformation and how to use it in Connirae and Tamara Andreas' brilliant book:Core Transformation: Reaching the Wellspring Within
And of course, when it comes to learning, nothing can compare to the experience of a LIVE, hands-on training which are available from time to time through us, and other organizations.  Michael Watson is proud to be one of a handful of licensed US trainers authorized by Connirae Andreas to present this program.  Here are the details of our next Core Transformation Training. 

I like to make introductions, and this time of year offers lots of opportunities to meet new people, try new electronic gadgets (thanks, cyber Monday), and explore new ideas.   And as the new year approaches, people are resolving to make changes in their lives and expand into the future (especially after being introduced to all of that holiday food).

And we are expanding.  As we put another year behind us, we are either getting wiser and better and finding more fulfillment in our lives, or we are growing more complacent and compliant and learning to put up with ourselves or our circumstances.  Or of course, there is that third option - some of us may be growing more frustrated in our attempts to change.  Frustration is made out of two elements.  "Want to" and "Can't".  Put 'em together and waddya got?  Frustration.

But when it comes to personal growth, there's another name for it.  I like to call it Divine Discontent. It's the raw stuff that change is made out of.  It's the "kick in the ass" or "nagging feeling" or maybe a "deep longing" that lets us know it's time for a change.  This is the driving force behind evolution, and when we know how to use it, it can open us up to richer, fuller expressions of ourselves.  We ARE evolving. 

One sure way to become frustrated is to try to ignore those inner urgings ... to stuff them down, medicate them, keep ourselves distracted, dissociated.   We try to stifle it, when we can let it guide us and lead us to more fulfilling lives.

In therapy and coaching we find that symptoms (everything from anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, even angry outbursts and unwanted behaviors) are often the impoverished expressions of some aspect of our being that is trying to evolve.  The frustrated attempts of some emerging self that wants out.

Core Transformation is a brilliant process that gets to the heart of the matter, gently and easily, and by connecting you with your own deeper self, helps to bring you to a life of greater self awareness, self acceptance and self expression.

I'm happy to be offering this training here in a mini-course as well as in live venues.  After learning Core Transformation back in the early 90s from Connirae Andreas, I've added words like  "richer", "resonant" "fulfilling" and "expansive" to my vocabulary.  I've come to know myself in new ways ... and I'm coming to BE myself in new ways, thanks to this brilliant process.

And of course, when it comes to learning, nothing can compare to the experience of a LIVE, hands-on training which are available from time to time through us, and other organizations.  Michael Watson is proud to be one of a handful of licensed US trainers authorized by Connirae Andreas to present this program.  Here are the details of our next Core Transformation Training. 

EMPOWERING TRANCE - A Retreat in the Redwoods
Details will be coming shortly about this upcoming event, so I can't tell you everything ... but for three and a half days (Friday evening til Monday Lunch) we'll be exploring the world of hypnosis and trance in the Northern California Redwoods/Wine Country.  The focus isn't to teach you a bunch of new techniques, but to take you through experiences that will enrich the way you experience (and practice) hypnosis. Empowering your life and work with new a new paradigm about the hypnotic relationship.  And yes, there will be storytelling round the campfire and a host of activities.  Watch for more information, or check our website (www.phoenix-services.org) or call 407-481-0802 for more information. 

Several years ago Steve and Connirae Andreas, then co-head honchos of NLP Comprehensive, wrote a helpful article titled "A Consumers Guide to Good Training"  (follow the link at the end of this post if you'd like to see it).  In that article they drew upon their own considerable skill and experience.  They explored the criteria that you might want to use to select among available training programs.  As a trainer, I've referred to that article as a regular reminder and occasional admonition to keep me at my best.  Students have choice about where they go to learn and explore and it's important that they know how to get information and how to make an informed decision
 
Last night I returned home to Orlando from a month away in the UK where I participated in a module of Christina Hall's excellent Trainer Training and then presented a course in Neo-Ericksonian Hypnosis.  Both were offered by Salad Seminars.   As I reflect back over the wonderful experiences of the last few weeks, I realize that trainers have choice too.  If you're a trainer, you may have your own criteria .... Here are mine:

GET SOME TRAINING YOURSELF - Do you think you know everything about everything?  Can't imagine sitting down and shutting up long enough to hear what someone else might have to say? (If the shoe doesn't fit, I'm just joking.  And if the shoe DOES fit, I'm just SAYING ...)  There's always more to learn and if the field you train in has any life in it at all, then you'd better "be there or be square" when new and cutting edge material is being presented.  And as a trainer, you can get twice the value ... because you just might learn something new about your field AND something new about training.  In fact, you can have TRIPLE VALUE when you let yourself learn about the experience of being a participant in training.  Calibrating your own students' responses is vital ... but  spending some time on the other side of the loop ... is the BEST thing you can do for yourself and for your training.  As I mentioned earlier,  I've just been in the last module of Christina Hall's SNLP Trainer Training and the experience has been a rich and rewarding one - offering new perspectives, watching training excellence in action and being immersed in a special learning community.  Do yourselves a favor, trainers ... keep learning.
 

SHARE WHAT YOU LOVE - You're not going to be able to pass on a torch if you don't have some fire of your own.  Yes, I know some trainers are forced by their employers or the needs of a particular market to present material that they aren't fascinated with. And to  those trainers I say ... "I am sooo sorry."  And I really hope that they, too will get to have the thrill of spending their time sharing and exploring their fascination with others.  When you do that you find yourself on a great adventure.  Not just a training, but a lifelong journey, where you can enjoy the camaraderie, share discoveries and spark the interests of other travelers through the territory
 

GATHER SUPPORT - Some trainers produce their own programs while others of us are often contracted to train by sponsoring organizations. I do it both ways, but prefer to do sponsored programs.  Producing trainings is a big job .. and so we often find ourselves functioning as web designers, campaign managers, reservations clerks, sales associates and barterers,  travel agents, logistics coordinators, video and sound engineers, taxi drivers, dishwashers, caterers... and ... and .... ENOUGH ALREADY!  If you want an excellent training, then find someone to support you in delivering it.  It's not that I'm allergic to hard work ... and in my own local organization I still DO all of those functions.  But my vocation is to train ... and all of these additional tasks are distractions.  It's a wonderful thing to have a sponsor, or at least a good core of assistants to support you, so that you can focus your attention on giving your best contribution and training at the highest quality. NLP Comprehensive, The UP Hypnosis Institute, IACT/IMDHA and others have all provided excellent training support for me in the last decade, yet and I'm especially appreciative of the "special relationship" that I have with Salad Seminars in the UK.  I've been with them since their earlier days with the charismatic and dynamic Jamie Smart and through their recent handover to chief Tim Considine who brings a fresh perspective and new energy to Salad.  I'm honored to be affiliated with the Salad brand and particularly grateful to Tim, Debbie Cook, and Damian Perry for their hard work and support during the just-completed hypnosis course in the UK. 

SECURE A GREAT VENUE - Although this is a luxury and not always available ... it's really great when you've got a state-of-the-art training facility with internet, projection and music systems, great sound and video recording capability.  And Salad has a great new place in a scenic country town with all the trappings - including bed and breakfasts and Inns and Pubs that make the stay special. For those who need a more urban experience, they're only minutes away from historic Winchester with it's great cathedral and home of the famous Round Table of King Arthur.  Yep, you can't always get a location like that.  And it really contributes to the training experience.

GET GREAT STUDENTS - Now this is especially important.   Your niche market, the character of your promotional material, your positioning in the community, all play some part in defining your audience.  And the footprints you leave on the road will make some difference as to who will follow you.  But you don't always get to vote ... and that means you can always be surprised when you let yourself recognize the specialness of ALL the fellow travelers you meet along the road.  Recently I heard about a husband and wife who were participating in two different NLP trainings with two different organizations in two different cities AT THE SAME TIME.  One evening the wife called her husband to discuss the great time she was having in the vibrant mid-sized group she was training with.  During the call, her husband grew extraordinarily quiet and then said, "It sounds like you're having a great time with lots of wonderful people who really LIKE each other and will be friends for years to come!.  I'm here lost, lost in the crowd in this group of 150 people who could care less if they ever see one another again!"   So remember this rule - it's easy to get great students ... especially in NLP and hypnosis, as you explore and discover how special each of them already is.  Get great students because they're all great ... and prepare to fall in love.  In the last eight days, I've fallen in love with 8 very special people.

Lots of gratitude and affection to the 2013 Trainer's Training , the Neo-Ericksonian Hypnosis Training and Salad Seminars

*Connirae and Steve Andreas Article ... http://steveandreas.com/Articles/consumer.html