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NLP Training

There are a variety of NLP training formats: 21 day practitioner,  8 day practitioner or even 3 day practitioner training? Train with 1 other person or a 1000? Hypnotic installation or non hypnotic learning? Modular or all in one training? How about pre-learning or learning from DVD's?

Which is best?

21 practitioner or 8 day practitioner or even 3 day practitioner?

A paradox, in straightforward terms the longer you train and practice the better you become. NLP co-founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder have been learning and developing NLP  for 30+ years and they're still improving. The NLP they're training now is significantly better now than it used to be.

Yet , in general,  delegates of our 8 day practitioner course will  be better practitioners than those of the 21 day practitioner course I originally took. This is because we've refined the training and taken out some of the elements that hinder learning - the cost is a slightly increased levels of confusion at the earlier stages of the course, the benefit is at the end delegates are demonstrating their skills at a far higher level.

And learning to handling a level of confusion is a genuine business and life competency for the 21st Century.

I've never been on a 3 day practitioner course so what I'm about to say is opinion. At this stage I simply don't believe delegates will achieve the experiential experience to become good practitioners within that time. In fact they may fool themselves they know what they're doing - with possible unfortunate results to them are they're clients.

I'll take my lead on this from NLP founder, Richard Bandler his practitioner accreditation is based on seven or eight days. 

Train with 1 other person or a 1000?

At some stage in your development you need to work lots of different people - everyone's different and variety will greatly challenge and enhance your skill level. On the other hand if you have the opportunity to spend two or three days with an accomplished NLP trainer in a 1:1 session jump at the opportunity - your skill level  will literally sky rocket!

My view is go for mix of training sizes. If you're going to complete your practitioner, master practitioner and trainers training - go for a mix of class sizes.

Hypnotic installation or non hypnotic learning?

Isn't all learning hypnotic at some level? The best NLP training will consist of an element of hypnotic installation with a larger element of output - i.e. you actually learn by demonstrating you can do the behaviours, and responding and learning from to the results you get

Modular or all in one training?

In simple terms it's normally easier for trainers to deliver complete trainings in one session whereas it's better for a delegate to complete a training based on two or three day modules. The time between the modules helps you integrate what you've learned between modules and when designed correctly the first day of the next module helps you easily bring back and build on what you've learned previously.

However if the trainer you want to train with only does 'all in one trainings' or its the only dates you can manage - it's better to do the training than miss out.

How about pre-learning or learning from DVD's

Read books, listen to CD's and DVD's to decide to come on a training, but before a training a clear open mind is far, far more important than any book, CD or DVD learning - in fact they can hinder the speed you learn.

Remember most NLP is about improving what you already do and removing what gets in the way - the last thing you want to do is clutter your mind up before you attend. Come with a clear mind ready to enjoy the adventure.

Books CD's and DVD's are useful

After a training and you have a basic competence in NLP books, CD's and DVD's can greatly increase your skill level.

Conclusion

If you're eager to learn and have a good trainer you'll learn from any format!

However you're likely to reach a higher level of competency quicker if you go for modular training with smaller numbers of delegates and add to it with books, CD and DVD's.

And at some stage of your ongoing training to attend a training by either of the NLP co founders. They have added a lot to their initial teaching.

Michael 28th December 2007.