Saturday, October 20, 2007

How does motivation work?

There is a ongoing discussion on creating motivation and how to motivate an employee to perform faster, or how to motivate children to do their homework or clean up the room.
Heck, there are plenty of programs offering the solution to motivation or motivational speakers that promise to entice or motivate their audience.

Neuro Linguistic Programming or NLP is working with something that is called Meta Programs. For the sake of more human language, let's call it now the Mental Filters. These mental filters describe how we see and experience the world around us.

Meta-Programs are the human mental filter that run in our brain. The programs run in every area of our life, and change, according to the context in which we operate. Examples for contexts are "driving a car", or "working on a project" or, "joining a company".

Let me give you an example of one such filter related to motivation.

Have you ever wondered why someone is constantly motivated by reaching goals, while another person is only motivated by fear? This is just one expression of those motivation filters, and in the context of NLP, they are called "Toward To" and "Away From" Programs.

It is a bit like the Stick and the Carrot Approach. Away From describes how someone wants to avoid problems, or identifies challenges or problems ahead. With Toward To, someone is driven by goals and solutions.

I am very much toward to in running Asia Mind Dynamics and developing training programs, or dealing with clients, however, I am away from when it comes to paperwork (I simply don't like it and someone is doing it for me :) ).

Suitable goal setting actually involves both, to get people started on something! Have you ever wondered why your goal setting doesn't really work? May be it is because you don't feel the pain enough and only describe what you want to achieve. Or you just describe what you don't like and forget to outline the positive outcome of your action!

There are plenty of more meta-programs or filters in our mind that constantly run, and determine, how we see and interact with the world and how we keep our motivation going, once we are motivated.

Examples are:
- Proactive versus reactive: How is someone acting on a certain situation. Getting into action or waiting for others to go first? Think about motivation. Do you work with someone who proactively searches for problems or finds solutions or waits, until others have started and contributes at a later stage?

- Exposure to change: How change resilient is someone? Can you expose someone to a lot of change or lesser amount of change? How do you package the new goal or the problem solving issue? In a way that shows the person that a lot of change is involved or that it is more evolutionary change? If you package it wrongly, it frightens the person off!!

- External versus Internal: Is someone reacting more to the motivation drive of others and how others start working already or decide on his or her own if he or she is ready for the action.

- Specifics versus General: How is somoene sorting for information. Is the person looking at the details or more for the broad picture? How do you describe the problem or the goal to someone? In very specific words or in a way that allows their mind to paint the picture?

To identify the patterns or filters in a person's mind, a set of about 12 questions can be used.

This sounds easy but then, here are three factors of crucial importance when looking at the answers:

1.) It is about the answers by itself, one by one

2.) It is about the behaviour that is exhibited through these filters

3.) It is the interaction between these filters - this is then the most crucial part of the equation.

The overall question to ask is - what kind of behaviour would someone have to exhibit to make him or her suitable for this task. And by task, it means the context in which you act. Be it driving a car, or working in an office or on a project.

The article below is quite exhaustive in describing these two filters about motivation, thus, worthwhile distributing and reading. To reiterate however, please understand that there are more filters or mental maps that come into action by the individuals.

"Understanding Motivation
Friday, 05 October 2007So how do you motivate someone? Read on.
First we must remove the notion (illusion) that "we" motivate anyone. Each individual motivates themselves, or does not. They will either take action or will not, based on their assessment of the situation and evaluation of their options. We cannot forcibly get anyone to do anything that they themselves do not evaluate, consent to, and takeaction towards.

Each individual is always perfectly motivated. This may at first sound like a strange statement; given the fact that we can probably all think of at least one person we know who seems to have little or no motivation. But its TRUE! Here's how it works: If a person is lying on a couch, watching TV and eating potato chips they are just asmotivated as the so-called "workaholic."

The person lying on the couch perceives doing nothing as leading to pleasure and relaxation, and lack of effort equals ultimate pleasure. The "workaholic" works 12 hour days because he or she believes that the money earned now will allow them to one day lie on the couch and do nothing in luxury later (perhaps for a longer period of time). Or the "workaholic" may feel that hard work equals power, pride, or money, all of which he or she equates to ultimate pleasure.

So the person on the couch is seeking pleasure as is the "workaholic," they are just using two different strategies to get to the same goal (pleasure). The proof of this lies in the fact that if you removed the imagined motivator (i.e., money, power, or pride) from the "workaholic," you would probably very soon see them lying on a couch somewhere trying to get back into a state of pleasure. Both are chasing pleasure (as all humans do) but have chosen two different ways to try and accomplish it. This demonstrates that everyone is perfectly motivated and that if we wish to properly motivate them in treatment we need to learn what their motivators are.

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) teach us that each person has a different "motivational strategy," and these are based on to sets of values called "moving towards" and "moving away" from strategies. A moving towards strategy means that you most actively seek to move towards pleasure (such a person might be motivated by money, acceptance or other rewards).

A moving away from strategy means that you most actively try to avoid things that would mean pain (such as getting fired, hit or yelled at). Both strategies are aimed at maintaining a state of pleasure which is every one's instinctive goal (hence motivating). There is, of course, typically a blend of bothstrategies being used, but typically one is dominant.

The "workaholic" is using the moving towards strategy predominantly, but also occasionally fantasizes about a day of doing nothing but lying on a couch. The "couch¬-potato" is enjoying lying around, but also fantasizes about having more money or control over his or her life.
In Behavioral Psychology this is often referred to, crudely, as the "carrot and stick" method of behavior modification. Given that each person uses both strategies to greater or lessor degrees, the method of motivation that works best tends to use both the carrot and the stick.

Take a parent trying to motivate a child to do something like take a bath. Using a moving towards (carrot) strategy, the parent would offer the child a treat if they took their bath. Another parent, using a moving away (stick) strategy might instead offer the child a punishment if they do not take the bath.

The most effective method of motivating the child is to use both; therefore the parent could present the child with the positive scenario of a reward for taking a bath and a negative consequence if they do not. This is know asa "Push-Pull" strategy, the negative consequence is "pushing" them towards doing the behavior and the positive consequence is "pulling" them towards the behavior.

Each person has differing belief systems, motivators, and strategies for getting their needs met. The quickest way to uncover their strategy is to listen to them speak and watch for clues as to whether they are primarily using a push or pull strategy. This process can also be quickened by the use of questions. Have the person think backto a past accomplishment that they feel great about and ask them how they accomplished it. Then ask them what they were afraid of as they tried to achieve this accomplishment (to find the push strategies) and then explore this with them and note how each fear works conceptually.

Move on and ask them what they pictured and what excited them as they moved towards this goal. Also ask them what excited them about this goal and how did they feel when they achieved it (pull strategies), note conceptually the type of pleasure they are motivated towards.

Then, to gain additional information and fill in any holes, ask them why it was so important for them to achieve the goal. If you don't like this question and answer model you may more subtly pick up their strategies by listening to their patterns in common conversation.

For example, if you hear a person speaking with apprehension about being fired when it is unlikely, this person is probably sharing his/her moving away from strategy (fear). Or, if youhear a person sharing a concern as to whether or not he/she will get an important promotion, they are giving you clues that they may have a strong pull strategy (moving towards gain). Look for a common thread to their interpretations of situations to find their primary strategy. Once you have their primary strategy, you can begin to use it as your primary motivational strategy with this person to create movement.

For example, if you are treating an addict who has a push strategy, bring to his attention all the negative things that could befall him if he doesn't take suggestions and how bad he would feel. If the addict has a pull strategy, talk to him about how taking the suggestions will improve his family situation, job status and overall health and happiness.

The key to motivation, to reaching the other person, is to use THEIR strategies for motivation, NOT the yours. What works for us does not work for all others; this is the great truth. Your challenge is to step outside yourself and work with the other person's thought patterns, not to have the person adjust to doing things your way. Thisability to match and shape the person's strategies and thought patterns is the hallmark of a good influencer/motivator.


About the Author:
Paul J. Cline MA CAGS CAP Ed.D (ABD) is a Trainer / Seminar Leader,University Professor, Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) andlocal expert on Addictions and Mental Health. Paul is owner ofAdvanced Training Seminars, providing seminars, consulting andcoaching based in St. Petersburg, Florida (727) 204-0779. Visit ourwebsite at: http://www.advancedtrainingseminars.com/"


(Asia Mind Dynamics)
___________________________________________
Asia Mind Dynamics organises new NLP and Time Line Therapy (TM) training classes - register soon to secure your place (all courses are claimable under HRDF-SBL).

___________________________________________
In November and December 2007
NLP Certified Practitioner Course + Certified Timeline Therapy (TM) Techniques Practitioner

Three modules to elimiate your fear and doubts to change your life to the better!

1st Module Nov 15-18, 2007
2nd Module Nov 22-25, 2007
3rd Module Dec 1-2, 2007
___________________________________________
Since 2008 reaches us soon, Asia Mind Dynamics offers the NLP Certified Practitioner Course + Certified Timeline Therapy (TM) Techniques Practitioner already in January 2008 as well, for those that want to make a difference in 2008!!!

2008
1st Module January 10-13, 2008
2nd Module January 18-20, 2008
3rd Module January 25-17, 2008
The training gives you 2 certificates - the NLP Certified Practitioner and the Certified Timeline Therapy (TM) Practitioner.

___________________________________________

Comments from participants: “Andreas has the enthusiasm for his subject that explodes into your subconscious mind and really makes NLP real for me. I recommend this training for everyone who already thinks that they are great – because they will realise just how much better they will be.”

Remove your fears, create success and become the magnificent being that you desire to be, and deserve to become.


Price is staggered, dependent on your time of registration - so in order to get the best offer, better register VERY early!!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Download the Brochure for more information

Register Online - click here

Register via fax form with this registration form - click here
___________________________________________

Be aware that you can manage your limitations and change for the better, once you embark on our NLP Course. You look at the world differently, and at your own habits.

You start to understand the reasons behind certain actions of yours and those around you. You start to live more consciously and purposefully. You gain greater understanding.

There is hardly any participant who hasn't changed with NLP and we at Asia Mind Dynamics support you wholeheartly in the whole process and beyond. For us, there is nothing more beautiful than to experience the transformation of participants into magnificent beings.

Join us or call at 012-287 50 48 for your inquiries.


___________________________________________







Monday, October 08, 2007

Garbage Trucks in your life

How often do you let other people’s nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you’re the Terminator, you’re probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of your success is how quickly you can refocus on what’s important in your life.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. And I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here’s what happened.

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, the car skidded, the tires squealed, and at the very last moment our car stopped just one inch from the other car’s back-end.

I couldn’t believe it. But then I couldn’t believe what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. How do I know? Ask any New Yorker, some words in New York come with a special face. And for emphasis, he threw in a one finger salute, as if his words were not enough.
But then here’s what really blew me away. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, “Why did you just do that!? This guy could have killed us!” And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck™.”

He said:

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. So when someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Believe me. You’ll be happier.

So I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the street? It was then that I said, “I don’t want their garbage and I’m not going to spread it anymore.”

I began to see Garbage Trucks. Like in the movie “The Sixth Sense,” the little boy said, “I see Dead People.” Well now “I see Garbage Trucks.” I see the load they’re carrying. I see them coming to dump it. And like my taxi driver, I don’t take it personally; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time is Walter Payton. Every day on the football field, after being tackled, he would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best. Over the years the best players from around the world in every sport have played this way: Tiger Woods, Nadia Comaneci, Muhammad Ali, Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, Michael Jordan, and Pele are just some of those players. And the most inspiring leaders have lived this way: Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and Martin Luther King.

See, Roy Baumeister, a psychology researcher from the University of Florida, found in his extensive research that you remember bad things more often than good things in your life. You store the bad memories more easily, and you recall them more frequently.
So the odds are against you when a Garbage Truck comes your way. But when you follow The Law of the Garbage Truck™, you take back control of your life. You make room for the good by letting go of the bad.

The best leaders know that they have to be ready for their next meeting. The best sales people know that they have to be ready for their next client. And the best parents know that they have to be ready to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses, no matter how many garbage trucks they might have faced that day. All of us know that we have to be fully present, and at our best for the people we care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their lives.
What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Here’s my bet: You’ll be happier. (By David J. Pollay)

(Source = http://pos-psych.com/news/david-j-pollay/20071002426)

(Asia Mind Dynamics)
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Asia Mind Dynamics organises new NLP and Time Line Therapy (TM) training classes - register soon to secure your place (all courses are claimable under HRDF-SBL).

___________________________________________________________________________________

In November and December
NLP Certified Practitioner Course + Certified Timeline Therapy (TM) Techniques Practitioner

Three modules to change your life!

2007
1st Module Nov 15-18, 2007
2nd Module Nov 22-25, 2007
3rd Module Dec 1-2, 2007

Since 2008 reaches us soon, Asia Mind Dynamics offers the NLP Certified Practitioner Course + Certified Timeline Therapy (TM) Techniques Practitioner already in January 2008 as well, for those that want to make a difference in 2008!!!

2008
1st Module January 10-13, 2008
2nd Module January 18-20, 2008
3rd Module January 25-17, 2008


Both training gives you 2 certificates - the NLP Certified Practitioner and the Certified Timeline Therapy (TM) Practitioner.

Comments from participants: “Andreas has the enthusiasm for his subject that explodes into your subconscious mind and really makes NLP real for me. I recommend this training for everyone who already thinks that they are great – because they will realise just how much better they will be.”

Remove your fears, create success and become the magnificent being that you desire to be, and deserve to become.


Price is staggered, dependent on your time of registration - so in order to get the best offer, better register VERY early!!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Download the Brochure for more information

Register Online - click here

Register via fax form with this registration form - click here
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Be aware that you change, once you embark on your NLP Course. You look at the world differently, and at your own habits.

You start to understand the reasons behind certain actions of yours and those around you. You start to live more consciously and purposefully. You gain greater understanding.

There is hardly any participant who hasn't changed with NLP and we at Asia Mind Dynamics support you wholeheartly in the whole process and beyond. For us, there is nothing more beautiful than to experience the transformation of participants into magnificent beings.

Join us or call at 012-287 50 48 for your inquiries.


_____________________________________________________________________________________








Tuesday, October 02, 2007

NLP Techniques: Chunking up and chunking down

The ability to chunk up and down is one of the most important in NLP and one of the most ignored in and after the actual training. It refers to the specificity of how people talk and is one of the meta programs that run in our mind.

(Meta programs are the mental filters in our mind. There are about 15 of those (e.g.; extenal versus internal orientation/ decision making abilities/ stress response/ toward to - away from etc - those will be taught in the Master Prac in detail. Some schools developed more than 50 meta-programs, but I ask myself - how much do you want to know about a person?).

The ability to chunk is crucial during the coaching or conversation process. We all remember situations when we became upset because someone was so detailed oriented, while we wanted to move on with the big picture, or someone didn't see the problems coming, because they were so engaged in the big picture.

In coaching, it is crucial to have the ability to move someone from the small details that hold them back to the bigger picture - what do you actually want - to help them gain new insights into their problem.

How good are you in following discussions? Have you ever been lost, don't know where the discussion headed?

The beauty is that once you master the skill, you never get lost in any conversation, and your brain is really trained up to move across many different levels.


Finding the middle ground

By Denise Rogers

Aug 31 2007

I'm a `chunk-down' kind of person. I need all the details. I was talking to one of my clients about this concept the other day. He's a `chunk-up' kind of person and he notices that he gets very frustrated when people start asking him about the details. He is focused on the big picture.

`Chunk up'/`chunk down' is one of the major sorting styles or META programs that is part of NeuroLinguistic Programming (NLP), a set of skills that will enhance your communication and personally. META programs are a variety of fundamental interrelated behavioural patterns describing how people interact with the world at an unconscious level. Our META programs become established by age eight!

Have you ever noticed when some people are faced with a new experience they are quite eager; they move toward a risk while others tend to hold back and move away tending to be more cautious?
People that move toward use phrases such as, "Let's go for it." "I'm ready." "Sign me up."

People that move away use phrases such as, "We need to think this through." "I don't know if that will work."

Have you ever noticed some people agree with everything and try to fit in while others make it a point to disagree and be quite contrary? People who want to fit in are focused on trends or what is fashionable. Those who are contrary choose the unusual.

Have you ever noticed how some people are quite focused on timelines while others are more interested in the experience? When a meeting is called, one arrives at eight o'clock; the other arrives at `eight-ish.' Those who are focused on time use phrases such as, "Precisely." "Let's stay on schedule."

Those who are focused on the experience use phrases such as, "Soon." "I'll get there around noon."

Problems arise when we become polarized in our responses. You can see how frustrating it is to be a manager/owner who is cautious working with a subordinate who is a risk taker, or vice versa. They really need to be able to talk about what is happening for each of them and sort through the issues.

For example, if a person automatically goes to the details and refuses to talk about the big picture they can become less effective. Similarly, if someone is polarized on being (in time) they will create unnecessary stress for themselves and others in those situations where being on time is not required. An example might be attending a drop-in social event from 3-5 p.m. and needing to arrive exactly at three!

The key is to move to the middle ground between the two ends of the continuum. That is true maturity.

Read the full article here.

In our NLP Certified Practitioner Classes, we teach intensively how to use the ability to chunk up and down to be in alignment with the person you talk to.

Why not checking out our brochures and since you are ready for change, join us and others on the journey to success and self-management? Or call us at 012-287 50 48 for more information.

If you need recommendations from others about our training, click here.

Remember: To be the best, you have to train with the best!!


New training classes are starting - register soon to secure your place.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

NLP Certified Practitioner Course + Certified Timeline Therapy (TM) Techniques Practitioner

1st Module Nov 15-18, 2007
2nd Module Nov 22-25, 2007
3rd Module Dec 1-2, 2007


Price is staggered, dependent on your time of registration - so in order to get the best offer, better register VERY early!!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Register Online - click here

(by: Asia Mind Dynamics)