NLP Strategy Model

Introduction

The events that have happened to us in the past cannot be changed, but we can control their internal representation of the memory. By changing the internal representation of the memory, we can change our emotions and feelings about the event. This in turn will change our reaction in case a similar event happens again. Thus, we can be in more control of our feelings and begin to take charge of our own life rather than living and being depressed about the past.

As described in Neuro-linguistic courses, we can use representational systems, eye accessing cues and submodalities to structure our individual experiences. We need to learn sequencing the events in the representational systems to generate correct behavior and thoughts as per Neuro-linguistic training. These are known as strategies as described in Neuro-linguistic courses.

Our consciousness takes up to different moments in our life and different locations. It activates our memories so that we vicariously travel to another place and time, where we feel strong and familiar emotions. As per Neuro-linguistic courses, we code our thoughts in terms of the sensory system and submodality qualities and are able to visualize, hear or feel the emotions of the experience. Every experience and behavior as a structure, and the reason behind every behavior is the code used to store the pieces of subjectivity. When we track down our consciousness, we realize that when we bring an experience back to our consciousness, we begin to activate the senses that were used to originally interpret the experience.

Neuro-linguistic Programming uses the strategy model to track down the movement and flow of our consciousness, so that we can add and mix the different ingredients of the internal representational systems such as emotions, thought, thinking style and personality to recreate all our experiences.

As per Neuro-linguistic courses, the strategy model is derived from the Test Operate Test Exit (TOTE) model developed by psychologists Galanter, Miller and Pribham. The TOTE model is actually a more complete elaboration of the old Stimulus Response (S-R) model.

The Stimulus Response (S-R) model tries to explain human behavior exclusively in terms of conditioning. A stimulus generates a response, is the basic concept behind this model.

The Test Operate Test Exit (TOTE) model was a cognitive revolution to the S-R model, stating that the mind cannot be a simple switch but an elaborate map control room with a tentative, cognitive-like map of the environment. This tentative map shows the direction and environmental relationship in order to determine the final response. The TOTE model gives a flowchart, which consists of “Operating” on the stimulus of the internal map and altering it, “Testing” for congruence or incongruence, and “Exiting” if desirable result is attained. This flowchart usually executes below the threshold of consciousness.

The NLP Strategy Model

Using this mental strategy of the TOTE model, the Neuro-linguistic Programming cofounders Bandler and Grinder, along with Dilts and DeLozier formulated the Neuro-linguistic Programming Strategy model in 1980. They enhanced and enriched the TOTE model by including pieces of subjectivity such as submodalities, sensory rep systems, eye accessing cues and linguistic predicates. Using these subjective pieces, the unconscious strategy can be released by anchoring the elements, reframing their meaning, and designing and installing the strategy. The strategy model is a comprehensive model for modeling excellence.

In order to determine how our brain operates to create an experience requires many skills, which are taught in Neuro-linguistic courses. To determine the strategy used by the brain to produce results, we need to first identify the strategy and elicit it. We then need the ability to interrupt or alter the strategy, and then design new strategies or redesign existing ones as described in Neuro-linguistic training. Finally, we need to install the strategy and utilize it in a different context. In order to unpack a strategy, we need to be aware of its existence using our consciousness.

Strategy Elicitation:

In order to perform strategy elicitation using Neuro-linguistic training we need to take the following steps:

1. Establish a positive frame for rapport by praising the client on his accomplishments
2. Access the state by helping the person associate with the state completely. This can be done by taking the client back in time where the behavior happens naturally, or using natural anchors of positions for reproducing a portion of the context.
3. Intensify the state by helping the client see, hear and feel the strategy
4. Explore how the state was carried out using questioning techniques, so that the client explains in words or actions
5. Calibrate to the client’s internal state using his external cues, body posture, language constructs and understanding how they sequence the representation
6. Tell the client to exaggerate a portion of the strategy, in order to bring out other hidden portions.
7. Remain in a Meta state for the content, as structure is more important.

By eliciting resourceful experiences such as motivation, creativity, decision, confidence, conviction, dedication, memory etc we can achieve excellence.