Anchoring in NLP can be used to reproduce any desired emotional state you want. Imagine having the power to feel happy, inspired, excited, enthusiastic and powerful at the right time and place! Wouldn’t you want to be in this sort of control? Anchoring in NLP can help you.
Definition of Anchoring in NLP
Anchoring in NLP can be defined as the process whereby certain states, responses and memory can be induced by the activation of some specific stimuli. The triggering of these stimuli sets off a reflex neurological action that produces the associated states, response and memory.
Anchoring in NLP is actually neutral. Negative responses can be set off just as effectively as positive responses through the activation of relevant stimuli. However, most of the former are usually unconsciously anchored like a fear of height. Positive anchoring must be deliberately sought to provide the best form of benefits in life.
There are usually three main types of anchors that can be used. These can be used in combination. In fact, using multiple anchors for a particular response is more effective. The types of anchors for anchoring in NLP are visual, auditory and kinesthetic anchors. The last one is basically some form of movement or physical action.
Five Steps to Anchoring in NLP
1. Elicit a desired state, memory or response.
Determine the desired emotional state you want to experience for anchoring in NLP. Relax yourself. Closing your eyes will facilitate this. You can elicit the state you want by either one of these two methods:
- Recall a past event vividly when you last felt this intense state you want. Go through the full process of visualization. Hear the sounds, feel the wind, see the colors, taste the food, etc again. Make this visualization process as detailed as possible. When you do, the emotions that flow back into your body will be intense as well.
- Using a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the lowest, start to work yourself to level 10 of that desired state you want. For example, if the desired state is happiness, feel from level 1 to level 10. When you reach level 10, you are practical laughing and feeling hilariously.
2. Establish the anchor(s).
Before starting step 1, think about the state you want and decide on appropriate anchors. If happiness is the state, perhaps saying to yourself “I’m in cloud nine” or “I’m the happiness person in the world” would be good for your anchoring in NLP. You might want to add poking your own heart as another kinesthetic anchor. For a visual anchor, perhaps you want to select a picture that depicts happiness.
Once you reach peak state from step 1, immediately establish your anchoring in NLP. At this state, you might say “I’m in cloud nine” and poke your own heart a few times. That will establish the anchors for happiness.
3. Break the desired state.
After you have experienced this state a while, you need to suddenly break state. If you have difficulty, you might want to use some form of pattern interrupt to help you. The whole idea is to snap out of this positive state suddenly. Remember, we are simply trying to establish anchors in this process.
4. Repeat 1-3 at least five times.
Not only do you need to do this in one session, but practice this regularly over the course of several days or weeks. By repeatedly linking the desired states to appropriate anchors, you are thickening the neurological pathways in your system. That is how habits are formed as well.
5. Test your anchors.
Trial test your anchors at unexpected occasions. For example, when you are sitting on a bus, maybe you can activate your anchors and see how you feel. If you have done anchoring in NLP from step 1-4 well, the experiences should be what you want. Repeated action and testing will result in this anchoring becoming permanent when the triggers are activated.
Final Tips on Anchoring in NLP
- Anchors should be fired off consistently.
- Establish the anchor at the height of the state.
- Do not anchor when the state is wrong. You will create negative anchors.
- Repeated action will solidify the anchors
- If a good state occurs suddenly, you can also establish anchors. This is very powerful.
The following video is helpful for anchoring in NLP.
What unconscious anchors do you have? What are some of the positive states you want to experience regularly? Have you anchored these? What are your thoughts about anchoring in NLP?
Hi Jimmy,
Anchoring is one of the most basic powerful NLP techniques I know and works very well It is a very practical tool in many situations. For example, it is a great way to build peak states in sport by anchoring past peak experiences.
marc van der Linden recently posted..13 simple tips to stop procrastinating for ever
Hi Marc,
This is something I must establish more in my life. I recently did one, and I must say it works.
Cheers
Looks good, I read a book about NLP by Adam Khoo before, I would like to try it out soon.
david recently posted..Sleeping bags for kids
Hi David,
These are good skills when use morally.
Good summary, Jimmy. A powerful tool indeed. My favorite example is that of Lily Tomlin who used to tug on her ear to overcome her dreadful stage fright. She became quite a force in comedy and she is enjoying acclaimed success in movies, television and Broadway!
rob white recently posted..God Is….
Hi Rob,
We all certainly have our memories with regards to how skills of NLP are used. Ii is interesting looking into how people behave now with hindsight of some NLP education.
Hey Jimmy,
Am I using NLP without knowing about it? I commute a lot and since I live in San Francisco area that means TRAFFIC. A lot of it.
I do come across with all kind of scenarios. Accidents, people are speeding, verbally abusing, cutting me off and giving fingers…..yep the whole nine yards.
It used to get to me but now I just picture my 60 year old mom being the crazy driver who “pulls a stunt” . And I just say to myself, that’s ok mom I’m not mad :)
And I just stay totally calm and it works. Nothing external can get to me, at least not on the road! :)
great share!
Akos
Akos Fintor recently posted..Power of Outsourcing | Odesk | Why? Not! :) Part 1
Hi Akos,
I call NLP the skill of the obvious sometimes. Many people do practie some form of NLP, but they do it unconsciously. The greatest benefit fo learning it properly is that we will be armed with a full set of skills to use. That is really empowering if we can use it at the right occasions, like how you do now when people are hostile to you.
You reminded me, I was interested in NLP a year ago. Everything then got buried under work. Now I can’t find the resources that I had about NLP. I will have to start over again.
jim syyap recently posted..Copywriters – what makes them tick?
Hi Jim,
Welcome to Life Architects.
NLP is something useful when used correctly with good intentions. I hope this guide is a good starting point for you again. There are also many websites that are good NLP resources. Just try some of the things we write about.
This is the area I know pretty well. I can always tell when I have something already anchored, but I have trouble making new ones. There are certain songs that put me into a particular mood because I listened to them repeatedly when I was in that state.
I tried to anchor a boost to confidence by touching my left arm in a particular spot a few years ago. It worked a little for awhile, but it didn’t last. I think I probably just needed to anchor it when the feeling was heightened.
Steve recently posted..The Problem with Overnight Success Stories
Hi Steve,
The key to anchoring well is to make sure you have reach an emotional high. Using the appropriate anchors is also important.