With this post on Pattern Interrupt in NLP, we are finally getting started on this series on the Beginners’ Guide to NLP. The key to NLP is all about creating a shift in our emotional states. When we are able to shift from negative to positive emotional states, the decisions we make on any issues becomes better. That will result in better outcomes in our lives.
Pattern interrupt is one of the most basic NLP skills available. If you examine your own lives, you would be able to single out some instances in your lives or those of your loves ones whereby this NLP skill has been subconsciously used.
For example, now that I am a daddy to two toddlers, pattern interrupt is a daily routine for me when my children start to turn demanding and cry. Some people call pattern interrupt a distraction. But there is more to pattern interrupt than just been a distraction as you shall see later in this post.
Definition of Pattern Interrupt
In NLP terms, pattern interrupt can be defined as interruption of a prevailing flow of neurological sequence in a person or groups of person. Very often, undesirable emotional states have been conditioned by repeated neurological patterns. A person may get angry because of certain triggers in his life. From these triggers an adverse thinking process is engaged. That leads to even worse emotional states that can finally result in poor decisions and actions.
The main question when using pattern interrupt is whether we can proactively introduce another stimulus that will shift emotional and neurological pathways? If we are able to do this repeatedly over time, the age old poor behavior patterns will change for the better.
An Illusion of Pattern Interrupt from Saving Private Ryan
Let us watch a specific and good example of pattern interrupt from one of Tom Hank’s greatest performance in Saving Private Ryan.
The scene of this pattern interrupt incident was just after the lost of a dearly loved medic from Tom Hanks’ ranger squad. Tom Hanks gave the orders for this attack which resulted in the death of his medic. Not only that, but Tom Hanks released the captured German responsible for the death of the medic. Naturally his troops are displeased and one of them threatened mutiny. The scene picks up from here.
As you watch, I want you to notice what Tom Hanks did and say to specifically interrupt the pattern of a very heated situation. Enjoy the show in the process.
6 Keys to Pattern Interrupt
What can we learn about pattern interrupt from this example? I have attempted to crystallize six ideas that will make any pattern interrupt effective. Here they are:
1. Bring up an issue that is totally different.
In the heat of the situation, Tom Hanks brought up a totally different topic for his troops to consider. Instead of dwelling on the subject of right and wrong, he brought up the subject of the bet by his troops on guessing his real profession at peace time. That was his breaching point for his pattern interrupt.
2. Bring up an issue that means something to everyone.
The subject of the bet on his real profession has been much discussed by his entire company for many months prior to this incident. If you have watched the whole film, there were many instances of his troops guessing about their captain’s real peace time profession. The troops had started a pool of money to be given to anyone who could accurate guess his profession. But Tom Hanks was able to keep everyone in suspense until now when he used it as a pattern interrupt tool.
3. If possible make that issue a positively emotional one.
Because of way he loved his troops, his men had become very fond of their captain during their times at war. To them, their captain always made the right call and had them in his heart. He has earned their respect. Naturally, wanting to know more about their captain became a fun and interest topic for his troops. For pattern interrupt to be effective, there must be a positive emotion attached.
4. Tell the full story.
Once Tom Hanks has revealed his real profession which his troops have tried so hard to elicit from him, he did not just stop there. He went on to tell them more about his story. It was the perfect setting to get them to comprehend his logic and state. They were all ears at this point. In order for pattern interrupt to work well, you must be able to induce this type of attention.
5. Make your story personal.
Pattern interrupt will be more effective if the incident or issue you are relating to is really personal. Humans have a tendency to gravitate towards true personal story. There is always that curiosity to find out about someone. Ever wonder why people gossip?
6. Offer options at the end to the present situation.
At the end of his own story, Tom Hanks actually offered his troops some options. Not only that, he also told them what he would do in such a situation. The whole idea of pattern interrupt is to break state. But beyond that, the issue at hand must still be dealt with. Following up with good options will empower people and find win-win solutions.
Prepare for Pattern Interrupt
Pattern interrupt is something very powerful that we have been using unconsciously. It becomes more powerful when we are able to use it consciously. The key is to be aware of your own and other people’s states. The second thing I find very useful from personal experience is having well thought out stories or distractions ready. These should contain as many of the six ideas I have described above. So, when the time comes, pull it out and use it.
What do you think of pattern interrupt? Do you remember occasions where you have used it or witnessed it? Are the six ideas useful? Share your thoughts and stories on pattern interrupt here.
Nice summary, Jimmy. The pattern interrupt is an oldie but a goodie! I was introduced to it when I studied under Richard Bandler. When we apply it to our own negative Self-Talk it is incredibly empowering. You can only be hurt by what you don’t know about yourself. Wherever you go, notice your sly stunts and hidden patterns to stay as you always have been. I was poor, and before I could do what was needed to attract money into my life, I had to notice all the sly stunts and negative patterns I had that sabotaged my efforts.
rob white recently posted..Tolstoy’s Story of the Three Saints
Hi Rob,
Wow, you received the teachings direct from the master of NLP? What a privilege. How was it like? I read his book and found it amazing with all the practical activites he suggested. NLP is certainly something important for us to use to change states for the better.
Your observation about awareness is crucial. With this ability to notice our sly stunts, how can we even adopt measures to address things. Do you have any tricks to help people raise awareness of their emotional states?
Hello Jimmy,
I often say, Awareness is ALL! Thank you for elaborating on pattern interrupt –
You are always a teacher my friend,
Nancy
Nancy Shields recently posted..PEACE, JOY AND HAPPINESS THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON…..
You are very welcome my friend. But I do believe that people have been using NLP subconsciously all the time. NLP just make things more deliberate. Hence, in that sense we get to really be in charge of our lives.
Yes,I am have used sometime subconsciously ,though I didn’t know it was NLP, thanks,I will use it more constructive and in an ordered manner now
Iroko recently posted..Who Is A Millionaire?
Hi Iroko,
SO nice to welcome you to Life Architects.
I call NLP the unconscious science of humans. We have been exposed to it for so long, yet we do not know it. But now that we do, this form of consciousness will only make things better.
Jimmy,
This is a great explanation! Our emotional state and belief system is so tied into what we focus on that a major piece of changing our feelings and beliefs is to reorganize our focus. This can be through self-talk or through dedicated activity. I find that when difficult memories emerge is a valuable time to interrupt my pattern of thinking and behaving. I work to reframe things in a more empowering way.
Joe recently posted..How to Take your New Year’s Resolutions to the Limit
Hi Joe,
Welcome to Life Architects.
Emotions are always key to everything we do. But sadly, so few people are aware of this. I was not a few years back. Anthony Robbins’ book was the first thing that brought me to this awarenes. Since than, I have embarked on my own personal development to control my own states. NLP is just one of those tools and technology that can be used.
Hi, Jimmy!
I followed you over from Adam’s blog and I think your NLP blog is great in all respects!
I’m a NLP practitioner myself for over 20 years and I can confirm to everybody that studying about NLP is the very best thing one can do in life! It enhanced my life so much, I am grateful that I had this opportunity.
Will be back often to “freshen” up my NLP knowledge – one tends to forget at times! ;(
Sunny greetings from Spain!
Antje Cobbett recently posted..What is a Link Wheel and How Do I Make One?
Hi Antje,
So glad you came over. Let me officially welcome you to Life Architects.
I am honored to have a fellow NLP practitioner in my midst. Please do not hesitate to comment and correct any points that I might have misplaced. Afterall I am still learning.
The biggest problem I find with NLP is that people made it too complex sometimes. What common people need is no BS solutions that are easy to implement. That’s my mission in this series on NLP.
Wow! believe it or not, I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen that movie. I definitely need to.
I was wondering what Tom Hanks was going to do the entire time. he was just kind of standing there, waiting around. But when he introduced that pattern interrupt, it completely changed everything. You could feel it by watching it, the whole mood of the group changed.
This is not only an interesting technique, but a very useful one for our lives, thanks Jimmy!
Fred Tracy recently posted..How to Become Immortal and Live Forever
Hi Fred,
THe first time I saw this, nothing really resonated with me about pattern interrupt. It was like a distraction actually which we all try to do. But once I became aware of the science of NLP, I knew that it was a skill that could be mastered. Tom Hanks in this movie knew exactly what he was doing. He was about to use his relationship with his troops to draw out the most important emotions at the most critical time. Since then, this has become my classic pattern interrupt moment to use to teach people. Hack, this was also one hell of a film. You better watch it full. I hope you are aware that there is a full download of this on youtube in abut 15 parts. Search around from this clip and enjoy if you do not want to rent or buy.
Hi Jimmy,
It makes a lot of sense to me. Be aware of your state and search for something that is more pleasurable. Thank you. I’m not a big NLP’er however there is much that is very useful.
be good to yourself & have a merry festive season
David
David Stevens recently posted..Living Life Today – The Share Principle
Hi Steven,
Hope some of these skills will be useful to improve the lives of people around you. You be good to yourself as well and make sure you get your moods sorted out.
Cheers
Jimmy,
I like the idea of pattern interrupt. Like you said I think we all use it sub-consciously but I would like to use it consciously.
I have a 14 year old son that I find very hard to parent and I think I could use Pattern interrupt with him. Just have to figure out how to do it.
I can see how it can be done in circumstances like the one in “Saving Private Ryan” but, am not real sure just how to do it with a child. I am going to have to think about this because I think it would work great after I figure it out.
Thanks for a great post and lots to think about.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted..Goals For 2012
Hi Dee Ann,
I am sure you will definitely find this method helpful in your dealings with people, especially your children. I find that the most effective pattern interrupting measures is when you are able to find something that the opposite party likes a lot. What intrigues your son a lot? What are some of the things that will cause him to sit up straight and pay more attention to you? It is worthwhile to build such a list and mentally prepare yourself to use the on your son when the needs arises. When feelings and emotions get negative, throwing one of these into the mix will often be enough to draw his focus to somewhere more helpful.
I know I’ve used a pattern interrupt somewhere before, but for some reason I can’t think of a time. It’s a good way to change the emotional state of yourself or another person. I think you’re example from Saving Private Ryan is great too. I remember that from the movie and how the whole tone of the conversation shifted after he told them what he did for a living.
Steve recently posted..The Problem with Overnight Success Stories
Hi Steve,
Pattern interrupt is something I feel everyone should become a master at. The higher order skill is actually to interrupt your own patterns effectively.
What an awesome post, Jimmy!
You’re right about each of the points you’ve made here, but the one that stood out for me and that is most accurate about me, is that we’ve been using the Pattern Interrupt unconsciously. This has certainly been the case for myself, and I’d like to thank you Jimmy for giving me the accurate name for what it is we may have done in the past and present.
Now, those like myself, that may not have been aware of this awesome practice will be better able to use it more consciously… and as you’ve said, more powerfully.
Very awesome!! Thanks for the share, my friend. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, the video, and your explanation of both. Great job! :)
Deeone recently posted..The Shocking Truth About Taking Chances
Deeone My Man,
NLP skills are all very logical but not obvious. It becomes powerfully when we are fully aware of their potential and start using them deliberately. I hope your life can be transformed with these skills.