Anchoring NLP
In NLP terms an “anchor” is something that occurs any time that a person reaches an intense state. If we refer back to a time in history when a Russian man by the name of Ivan Pavlov started to study the behavior of his dogs, when they began salivating at the thought of receiving food, not just when they saw food. Pavlov decided that the stimuli being used to make the dogs salivate, was much more interesting than other subject matter, and this is where he focused his energy.
In essence, a previous experience in the dogs life, had taught the dog to react in a certain way, given a certain stimuli. It is that stimuli that we now refer to as the “anchor”. So too do humans react a certain way when various stimuli are presented in certain circumstances. Within the realms of Neuro Linguistic Programming, four steps are involved in anchoring NLP.
The first of these steps is the need to put the person (subject) into a state. Either a spontaneous state or an induced state can be used. The only important thing is to make sure when anchoring NLP is that whatever state used, it is directly associated. This means that the subject needs to be inside their own body and looking through their own eyes, as opposed to looking in from the outside. Only then are we effectively Anchoring NLP.
Another important factor is that the state needs to be intense and harmonious. As an example of the language that might be used, you could say “Can you remember a time when you were completely at ease? Are you able to recall the specific time? As you travel back to that time, are you able to step into your body and visualize what you saw through your own eyes, hear what you were hearing through your own ears, and experience the feelings that you felt when you were totally at ease?”
Different people move into states at different rates, so it is important that you ask them to say when they are at the peak of the experience. They don’t have to speak. You can ask them to motion you by moving their head, hand, foot, or by whatever other means may be appropriate at the time.
As they reach the peak of their state, and you are aware of this, you need to “anchor” the state. The anchor that you choose to use should be the same anchor that is then applied to each of the other steps in the anchoring NLP process. It must be consistent. The anchor should start just before the peak and end right on the peak.
An anchor should last for between 5 and 15 seconds, and a touch in the same place at the same time at each state, is usually what is needed to reinforce the situation. So this means that say 5 seconds before the peak is coming, touch the person on the arm, and you may want ask “Can you recall a time that you were totally relaxed?” “Can you recall a time when you felt completely loved?” “Can you recall a time when you knew you were totally powerful?” “Can you recall a time when you were completely happy?” Each time a state is reached, touch the person in the same way in the same place, to anchor all of the states.
As well as the four steps, there are four keys to successful anchoring NLP. The intensity of the response, the timing of the anchor, the stimulus needing to be unique, and the replication of the stimulus.
