NLP is becoming a familiar buzz word among forward-looking business, self-help and self-improvement circles. But what exactly is NLP and how can it help me? This article will cover the basic precept of NLP techniques and provide an example of how they can be used to change the perceptions keeping you from achieving your full potential.

NLP is the acronym for Neuro Linguistic Programming, the science that was developed in the early 1970s. NLP embraces several techniques in its attempt to bring changes to a person's thinking, learning and communication. Proponents teach that our mind and body (neuro), and the things we say (linguistic) interact and together form our perceptions of the world. This perception is also referred to as our 'model' or 'map' of the world. NLP teaches that we act and feel according to our perceptions of the world around us and not necessarily as a reaction to the real world we're in. NLP then concludes that an impoverished or unrealistic set of beliefs will create a map for us that narrows our field of choice and as a result brings us problems.

So what do the practitioners of NLP do about these beliefs and our world maps? Is there a concrete plan that can change these maps or are they something we're stuck with? NLP believes these maps can indeed be changed, and one of the methods used to do so is called the Meta-Model.

The NLP Meta-model is a complete set of questions designed to challenge and expand the limits a person has imposed on themselves through their model or “map” of the world. When a person is talking about a situation or a problem, their word choices (which NLP calls “indicators”) will actually distort, generalize and completely delete portions of the true experience. An NLP practioner will apply specific language patterns in an attempt to help the client recover the information beneath the surface of the chosen words.

NLP was originally developed to understand the language patterns of successful therapists so the results of these therapists could be replicated. Since then, the practices have been expanded to include solutions for business, self-help and other self-improvement areas.

Applied to business, a meta-model could be utilized to help an individual elaborate on the details of a problem, a proposal or objectives by seeking the important information being veiled by the person's perspectives. By applying specific language patterns designed to delve deeper into the situation, the true situation can be revealed, as well as a plan for action and a clear understanding of who is to play what role in the situation being examined.