If I had to describe the basis of NLP, it would be “results.”

See, though there is a comprehensive body of work written about NLP, complete with theories, models, and techniques, the strength (and most important CLAIM) of NLP is the results people achieve by using understanding the models and USING the techniques.

Wow.  That’s sure a “mouthful of words” as my son would say.

The point I’m trying to make is that folks using NLP (or working closely with a NLP Practitioner) often achieve spectacular RESULTS, in an incredibly short time. And to me, as someone who has experienced this first hand, we’re talking results that are dramatic and life-changing.

So, if the power of NLP is seen in the results people experience, then you can imagine just how important it is to frame expected outcomes properly.

Meaning, if folks use NLP to make changes in their life, these proposed changes would be more effectively brought about by having them envisioned in a way to make the proposed change possible (or easier).

The Keys.

There are nine “Keys” to an achievable outcome.  They are…

1. Stated in positive terms
2. Specify present situation
3. Specify outcome
4. Specify evidence procedure
5. Is it congruently desirable?
6. Is it self-initiated and self-maintained?
7. Is it appropriately contextualized?
8. What resources are needed?
9. Is it ecological?

Okay, now we’ll go through each key in a bit more detail so you can get a better feel for what’s going on here, and why each key is so important.

Stated in Positive Terms

There are two powerful reasons why this key is listed first. To start with, you have to know what you want.  Not what you don’t want. Know what you want so you can move toward that goal.

Second, your unconscious mind cannot process a negative.  It just doesn’t work that way.

By stating goals in negative terms, you are short-circuiting your success, because your unconscious mind will be working against you and your desired success, and you won’t even know it.

Have you ever heard someone say “why do I always end up with/where I don’t want to be.” It could be they are stating their goals or desires in negative terms.

Specify Present Situation

You need to state your achievable outcome as if it’s already here. Not only that, you have to see/feel the outcome through your own eyes. This term for this is “associated,” meaning seeing through your own eyes.

Specify Outcome

Quite simply, you’ll need to visualize every aspect of the outcome.  What will you…

• See
• Hear
• Feel

when you have what you are desiring?  You have to make this mental picture…

• as if it is happening NOW
• it has to be compelling
• and inserted into your future (NOTE: be sure future picture is disassociated, i.e. not in your own eyes, but AS IF you are observing yourself

Specify Evidence Procedure

This key, simply put, must answer this one question:

“How will you know when you have achieved your desired outcome?”

List the details of evidence that will prove to you, as it were, when you have arrived at the outcome you’ve desired.

Is it Congruently Desirable?

This key highlights the simple fact that changing one factor, facet or part of something has effects on other factors, facets or parts.

Meaning, what will your desired outcome allow you to do, in light of other desires, values, goals you may have.

For change to be lasting, the desired outcome must be integrated holistically with other aspects of you (we’ll discuss “Parts Integration” at a later date, so stay tuned…)

Is it Self-Initiated and Self-Maintained?

This key is probably one of the easiest to understand in theory, and the hardest to put into practice. Quite simply, why do you desire this change?

When I was a smoker, all my friends kept telling me to quit. My girlfriend at the time encouraged me to quit. But I didn’t want to.  So I didn’t.

Only when I was willing to quit was I able to quit. Because then I was doing it for ME. Not my family. Not my friends. Not all those well-intentioned people in my life.

So, the question for you is…

“Why do you want this change?  Who are you desiring to change for?”

Is it Appropriately Contextualized?

This key may seem at odds with the previous one. But it isn’t. All that you need to focus on here is placing the desired outcome into the matrix of your life.

This means you must place your desired outcome into the fabric of your life, to include the…

• where,
• when,
• how, and
• with whom

This will help to anchor your desired change, helping to make it stick.

What Resources are Needed?

This key highlights the fact that, though you may have all the resources at your disposal, you may require some additional resources in order to bring about your desired outcome.

You can ask yourself these questions:

1. Have you ever had this or done this before?
2. Do you know anyone who has?
3. Can you act as if you have it?

Maybe this is a silly example, but if I desired to climb Mount Everest, I would need some equipment (for starters). Then I’d need to know the proper climbing route, how to hire sherpas, etc. And this information could be found online, or through personal contacts, that sort of thing.

The idea being, some change requires a guide. Or specialized knowledge. And this must be taken into consideration in order to have successful outcomes.

Is it Ecological?

Finally, does the desired change fit into your world-view. Ecology gets discussed a lot in NLP, and I think that’s a good thing. Here are some 6 questions you can ask yourself in forming your desired outcome:

1. For what purpose do you want this?
2. What will you gain or lose if you have it?
3. What will happen if you get it?
4. What won’t happen if you get it?
5. What will happen if you don’t get it?
6. What won’t happen if you don’t get it?

That last one often throws people off. Remember, all positive change should increase choice and make your life MORE abundant, not less. So, take these keys to heart and write down your desired outcomes FIRST to see if they fit within the framework of these keys.

Final Thoughts

I hope you found this information useful.  If you’re looking to work with an NLP Practitioner, you can leave a comment here and I’ll be happy to continue the conversation to explore this with you further.

If you’re looking for a training program in NLP, I know just the person for you.  He conducts trainings twice a year, and happens to be a great guy and an experienced NLP Practitioner and Trainer.  You can find his site by going to the link above, or leave a comment here and I’ll be happy to personally introduce you.  Who knows, I might be able to help you get in his program, and at a very reasonable fee as well.

Come back early and often as I continue to post information here about NLP practitioner course work, material, and thoughts.  And thanks for coming by.