Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) For Stopping Smoking Reviews

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is:

• A method of personal development
• A model of effective communication
• A study of human excellence, and how it can be replicated.

NLP is a powerful tool for self-development, originally co-created by Richard Bandler and his professor, John Grinder. They wanted to understand why it was that some humans excelled in any given field, while others struggled.

To better understand the human mind and how people think, they embarked on a study of three top therapists. Their goal was to model the patterns of how these outstanding results were achieved. They found some of the patterns very similar, even though the styles and personalities of the models were very different. These patterns became the basis of NLP.

For over thirty years now, people have studied and modeled exceptionally successful people, in an attempt to emulate that success. The results are condensed into short, easily digested classes, where someone can now learn the pattern in a few hours, saving themselves many years of trial and error the expert went through.

The study has attracted a lot of attention over the past few years, and now millions of people worldwide use NLP techniques in such diverse fields as therapy and education, through to the police and military.

While modeling may seem straightforward, there is more to NLP than just modeling successful people. Unlike the structured and regulated discipline CBT, NLP is a constantly growing and evolving body of knowledge and awareness. It is very much determined by what you do, rather than what you know.

With CBT, you are in charge of your thoughts. With NLP, you are in charge of your world.

Once someone is trained in NLP they tend to diversify and create their own version, adding their own theories and ideas to the study. If you ask three different people to define NLP, you’ll get three different answers.

For our purpose however, we’ll talk about how NLP as a method of personal development, and how it helps people quit smoking.

Smokers have a set of beliefs, feelings, associations and emotions with tobacco products, nicotine, and cigarettes. NLP techniques can be used to replace these beliefs quickly, and in a natural way.

An expert in NLP will take the time to get to know the client. They will find out how they best process information, and amongst a variety of techniques to change the way the client thinks, may use triggers to anchor new responses.

For example, one common NLP technique is called ‘Reframing,’ where you come up with a new behavior that is much better than the old and replace it. After unreasonable thoughts have been acknowledged, the counselor will work with the client by challenging harmful thoughts on the basis of proof, reframing experiences in a more reasonable or positive light.

The client would then go on to re-code the unwanted behaviors with the new behavior, by using what is known as the ‘Swish Pattern.’ This is where the smoker would visualise two images, the first where they are taking part in the unwanted behavior, then the second they are partaking in the other, more rewarding and enjoyable than the first. The second should be imagined in far more vivid and colorful than the first. You then let the image new image fill the frame of the old image.

This sends strong re-coding messages to your brain that disassociates the old behavior with pleasure, and associates positive feelings with the new image you have created.

Another technique is where you ‘bring the future forward.’ Here you make a list of all the things that would negatively impact your life should you continue to smoke, and visualize these things in vivid detail now. If your main fear is contracting cancer, you would imagine yourself today, now, in a hospital bed with your ribcage bandaged. Imagine being told there was nothing they could do. Imagine your friends, family and children in the room with you crying. Feel it as it is happening to you, right now, today, with all the five senses involved.

Our Comments: We feel that the key to a successful quit lies first and foremost in changing the way you think. We firmly believe smoking is mostly psychological, and so can be dealt easily with by simply reframing the way you think and feel about the situation.

One method that uses NLP is Quit Smoking Right Now (read our review here). Taking this NLP course online can save you hundreds of dollars.