“Walt Disney told his crew to ‘build the castle first’ when constructing Disney World, knowing that vision would continue to serve as motivation throughout the project. Oftentimes when people fail to achieve what they want in life, it’s because their vision isn’t strong enough.” – Gail Blanke, President and CEO, Lifedesigns
There is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) model that is so powerful that it makes a difference to everyone that I teach it to. That model is Neurological Levels (NLLS) and Hot Women Rock is based on that model. Aligning your NLLs will give you a strength and authenticity like nothing else you have experienced. With that strength comes success, enjoyment and fulfillment.
Pat Duckworth, Hot Women Rock
The concept of Neurological Levels started with the anthropologist Gregory Bateson. He suggested that the logical processes of the brain are organised into different levels or hierarchies. Changes made at the highest neurological level will affect change at the lower levels whereas changes made at the lower levels may or may not affect the upper levels.
The way that I think about this model is by using the metaphor of an organisation. If you want to take the performance of an organisation to the next level you could make changes at the lowest level, the administrative staff. Things would be better organised but the overall performance is unlikely to improve. If you bring in a new CEO with a dynamic vision, that energy is likely to filter all of the way down the levels of the organisation.
So, if you want to make effective, long-lasting change, you need to make changes at the highest levels of your brain function.
Robert Dilts took this concept and developed the model of Neurological Levels. He proposed six levels:
Purpose/Spiritual For whom? For what?
Identity Who?
Values & Beliefs Why?
Capabilities and Resources How?
Behaviour What?
Environment Where?
If you want to make effective changes in your life, it makes sense to involve all of your NLLs. If you only make changes at the lower level it is unlikely to be successful or long-lasting. For example, think about people who want to lose weight and join one of the popular slimming programmes. They are encouraged to make changes to their behaviour, what they eat and how they exercise, but they don’t examine their beliefs and values. What generally happens is that they lose weight and then go back to their old ways of eating and behaving and what happens next? They put the weight back on and a bit more.
In my experience people who have well-aligned neurological levels are emotionally and mentally strong. Their values and beliefs support their identity. Their behaviour helps them to develop the capabilities and resources they need to pursue their purpose. When you meet them you feel their purpose shining through. They are totally authentic.
As you move up the neurological levels you mobilize a deeper commitment of the nervous system. Spend time clarifying your purpose and your identity and you are more likely to achieve your goals with authenticity.
Extract from #1 International Bestseller ‘Hot Women Rock; How to discover your midlife entrepreneurial mojo.’ by Pat Duckworth. Buy your copy now.
