An example of influenceO
nce you have explored the elements of NLP, the
exciting part is putting those skills together in many
different ways to achieve the results you want. One of
the principles of the way NLP is taught is that it starts with
yourself.
A woman took her son to see Mahatma Gandhi, who asked
what she wanted. “I’d like you to get him to stop eating sugar,”
she replied.
“Bring the boy back in two weeks’ time,” replied Gandhi.
Two weeks later the woman returned with her son. Gandhi
turned to the boy and said, “Stop eating sugar.”
The woman looked surprised and asked, “Why did I have to
wait two weeks for you to say that?”
“Two weeks ago I was eating sugar,” Gandhi replied.
With NLP we can learn to recognize the structure of our own
strategies—we can model ourselves. By first learning to model
ourselves with NLP we become a model of the principles that
influence those around us. For example, once we have learned
how to set compelling goals for ourselves, we are more able to
facilitate compelling goals for others.
“Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only
thing.”
Albert Schweitzer