In a previous article I mentioned Tony Robbins, a fantastic author and motivational speaker from California.  If you’ve not read or listened to Tony’s work, I would highly recommend you give it a try.  His own life story is exceptionally warming and inspiring – I’m not going to give away anything about it here and spoil the experience of reading it in Tony’s words!

Regardless of whether you’re looking for help in your personal life or business life, whether you’re starting a new job or setting up a business of your own, or whether you’re scared of flying or nervous about exams, there will be something to gain from reading his books.

For a starter I would recommend the fantastic book Awaken the Giant within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Life.  It’s one of the very first books of its kind that I ever read, and is what originally got me interested in the whole arena of motivation and self-coaching techniques  Also, a fantastic place to keep up to date with the latest Tony Robbins adventures, and also to receive regular ancient motivational and inspiring proverbs and quotes is via the Tony Robbins Twitter Page.  I have updates automatically sent to my BlackBerry like a text message (sms), so it’s almost like I’ve got Tony there coaching me on a daily basis.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.9MB)

Throughout 2008 and 2009 I’ve been studying NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) in different forms.  It’s helped me greatly in adjusting my mental and physical approach to life, so I thought I’d share with you a few little pieces of information…

For those of you unaware of what NLP really is, here’s a definition from the Natural Therapies Glossary at Therapeutic Pillow International:

NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a name that encompasses three influential components involved in producing human experience: neurology, language and programming. The neurological system regulates how the body functions, language determines how individuals interface and communicate with other people and a person’s programming determines the kinds of models of the world they create. Neuro-Linguistic Programming describes the fundamental dynamics between mind (neuro) and language (linguistic) and how their interplay effects the body and behavior (programming). The basic premise of NLP is that; the words we use reflect an inner, subconscious perception of our problems. If these words and perceptions are inaccurate, as long as we continue to use them and to think of them, the underlying problem will persist. In other words, our attitudes are, in a sense, a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Put simply, instead of using words like “I feel like crap” or “I’m destined to fail”, it’s much more productive and inspiring to use phrases such as “I’m a little miffed” or “I’m determined to succeed”.  Also, the way you index references often comes into play.  However you remember an incident will be how you reference it for the rest of your life – unless you consciously change it in your subconscious!  You effectively need to self-publicise and create some government-style spin in your own head.  Here’s a quick example:

You trip up in the street and you’re immediately conscious of it.  You see people all around you looking and smiling and assume they’re laughing at you… so you can either remember that as the time you made a complete fool of yourself in the street… or you can just dismiss it as a minor inconvenience – hey, at least you made someone smile!  Now clearly it’s more productive to brush it off and move on and make light of it than to dwell, right?

Similarly for good things GREAT THINGS (we’re being overly positive, remember), you should index (remember/file) them as the most fantastic things in the world ever!  How about that stranger that smiled at you in the street today?  The shop asistant that smiled politely and wished you a good day?  The fun you had on holiday with friends?  Sure you’ll remember it if you think back hard enough, but these things should be the memories in the front of your mind, not tucked back behind all the feelings of negativity.

Next time someone smiles at you, remember it as “The world is a lovely place where strangers greet you and wish you well”.  Next time you experience even the slightest gesture – a friend passing you a beer, asking your opinion on something, or inviting you out to watch a game, movie, or go shopping – file it away as “I have great friends, they value my opinion and like to include me in their lives.”.

As you will notice, it’s far more productive to “self-self-publicise” (that’s my phrase – no stealing it!).  If you can convince yourself that the bad things are really just “minor asides” and that the briefest of positives are “brilliant and fantastic”, then your whole mental state and approach to life will shift considerably.

We’re creatures of habit, and we habitually dwell on the negative, whether that be through social conditioning, mass media, or any of the hundreds of other influences offered to us daily… it doesn’t really matter.  You have the power to take control of your own direction, so do it today!

Since using these techniques I’ve evolved and developed in every aspect of my life, and I encourage anyone to give them a try.  Here’s two books that I’d recommend reading that may be of interest:

Both are very good books indeed, and will help you to achieve greater personal and professional life.

If anyone is interested in learning more about NLP or want to study it further, I was trained at the NLP Centre of Excellence by Jimmy Petruzzi.  They operate out of Manchester (England), but I’m sure if you’re from elsewhere they will be able to point you towards another reputable trainer or arrange for your training in Manchester.  (I am in no way connected or affiliated with NLP Centre of Excellence – this recommendation comes from my experience of them as a training centre.)