Googling For Good Times - NLP Life Newsletter 5

                                                                            16th June 2009A few weeks ago, a friend was telling me about someone he met who had a pretty paranoid view of the world. My friend told me that this guy had brought all his paranoia to focus on a crazy theory that the entire swine 'flu epidemic was a massive global hoax. You could hold a conversation about anything else and there seemed to be nothing unusual about him. But when it came to swine 'flu, he suddenly became extremely persuasive, spouting "fact" on "fact" about how the whole pandemic had been cooked up by one secret society or another. My friend, being an inquisitive sort, decided that he would try to find out the facts about what this guy was saying. So, he looked up the words "swine 'flu hoax" on Google. To his shock, he found hundreds of websites agreeing that it was a hoax! Did this mean that maybe, just maybe, there was something in it? He thought about it for a while, then he decided to try something else. He thought of something really stupid, and put that into Google. The words he typed were: "Is Tony Blair an alien?" Guess what? Google returned 215,000 results, with all sorts of stories about Mr Blair, some satirical, some really earnest. After this preposterous result, my friend's curiosity was piqued. He wondered if he could find a subject that was so stupid that there would be no webpage about it. So, he put in the search phrase: "Elephant catches fish" - all in speech marks so that Google found EXACTLY that phrase. Surely there wouldn't be any results. Would there? Well, yes, there were. One solitary page from the internet appeared. The phrase was part of a cryptic crossword clue… It was at this point that my friend stopped looking for silly phrases on Google. He had, he told me, more important things to do. This might seem a pretty random story - but maybe you've guessed where it's going. Your mind contains a huge web of interconnected ideas that you sort through every day.Your brain hosts all sorts of information: facts, pictures, stories, movies, conversations, gossip, bad feelings, happy memories, worries and hopes. And just like Google, the questions you put into it determine the outcome. So, the question is: what's the best question you can ask yourself? Are you asking questions that are wasting your time and your energy? Or questions that are just silly, or are making you feel bad? If so, start asking some different questions! In the northern hemisphere you've got a wonderful summer ahead which you really could try enjoying to the full. If you're in the southern hemisphere, then mid-winter is a great time to think about things to brighten your day. Whatever the season in your hemisphere, try asking yourself: What are the best things you can do with your life? What are the happiest moments you are going to have? How can you make things even better? Remember: - It's time to start Googling for good times! We've got a bumper crop of articles in this issue of NLP LIFE. Keeping true to the summer theme, Sue Atkins has written a fabulous article giving lots of practical advice on how to make the most of summer holidays with the kids, in her article "How To Holiday With The Kids - And Still Enjoy it!" Michael Neill has contributed his article "Feel Happy Now!" and John La Valle's article on "Content Versus Process" is a fascinating look at how to use NLP in the work place. We are also pleased to include an article by Dr Ron Perry on PPT - his unique approach to bodywork - entitled "The Different Difference That Makes The Difference". For those who are not yet famliar with PPT, Matt Wingett has written an account of seeing PPT in action.  We also have reviews of the last NLP LIFE "Weight Loss Live" event with Paul McKenna by Matt Wingett, as well as Dawn Byrne's personal experience of "Change Your Life in 3 Days". Matt Wingett also continues his exploration of Basic Hypnotic Language Patterns, with a look at presuppositions. And finally, for those who are about to head out on a road trip for the summer holidays, we have James Moore's wonderful piece of advice on how he overcame a very particular problem, in his article "Zen And The Art Of Road Rage". Enjoy! I'll see you back here, next month!Bernardo Moya, CEO NLP LIFE TRAINING. Got an article you think might be right for us? Contact our editor for more information, on matthew.wingett@nlplifetraining.com.

As the mum of two teenage kids I know first hand about trying to get the balance between where I fancy going and where my kids fancy going and what activities we can share and what we can allow them to get up to alone.

 

Many parents can find themselves feeling apprehensive about spending a holiday with their teenagers but with a little forward planning, a bit of compromise and flexibility and a large dose of humour you can all have a great time.

 

I’m a great believer that you get what you focus on so if you think i

 

On a damp Saturday morning on 6th June 2009, 500 delegates arrived at the Great Hall in Wembley Stadium, to attend Paul McKenna's famous Weight Loss Live event. Not sure what to expect from the world-renowned hypnotist and NLP maestro, the audience were at first a little shy and uncertain.

Early in my career I was promoted into a role with a company car. Having seldom driven since passing my test, I was incredibly excited to have a car and the associated freedom of mobility. That was until the first time that a driver cut in front of me without warning. I had a sudden sense of shock and fear for what might have happened. I remember the rush of energy surging through my body, my heart pounding in my head and a tremendous sense of relief as I screamed and shook my fist.