The NLP Presuppositions

These NLP presuppositions are the base principles behind NLP. They are not a truth 'set in stone'. Instead they provide a core guideline philosophy which, when presupposed to be true, reveal information which ultimately adds choice. Additional choice is the basis of flexibility in the behaviours available to a person. When a person feel they have choice, then they feel empowered. Hence this supports their confidence and self esteem.

NLP Presupposition 1.

1. People respond to their perception of reality, not to reality itself.
Our experience gives us a map of the world from which we operate. It is not the actual territory it covers. Some maps work well in situations where others don't. NLP is the art of changing your maps, so we have greater freedom.

NLP Presupposition 2.

2. Having a choice is better than not having a choice.
The more choices you have, the freer you are and the more influence you have. NLP seeks to add choice at every opportunity

NLP Presupposition 3.

3. People always make the best choice they can at the time given their map of the world.
Give them a better choice and they will take it. Even better give them a superior map with more choices in it.

NLP Presupposition 4.

4. People work perfectly.
No one is broken. We are all getting the results of our map of beliefs. Change what is flowing through the system of intelligence we each are and we'll get new results.

NLP Presupposition 5.

5. All actions have a purpose.
Our actions are not random; we are always trying to achieve something, although we may not be aware of what that is.

NLP Presupposition 6.

6. Every behaviour has a positive intention.
All our actions have at least one purpose - to achieve something that we value and benefits us. A person is not their behaviour. When a person has a better choice of behaviour that also achieves their positive intention, they will take it. NLP uses this intention to integrate.

NLP Presupposition 7.

7. The unconscious mind balances the conscious; it is not malicious.
The unconscious is everything that is not in consciousness at the present moment. It contains all the resources we need to live in balance.

NLP Presupposition 8.

8. The meaning of your communication is also the response you get.
There are no failures, only responses and feedback. If you are not getting the result you want, change what you are doing. Have the ability to respond to the communication.

NLP Presupposition 9.

9. We already have all the resources we need, or we can create them.
There are no unresourceful people, only unresourceful states of mind.

NLP Presupposition 10.

10. Mind and body are different expressions of the same one system.
Mind and body interact and mutually influence each other. When we think differently, our bodies change. When we act differently we change our thoughts and feelings.

NLP Presupposition 11.

11. We process all information through our senses.
Developing your senses so they become more acute gives you better information and helps you think more clearly.

NLP Presupposition 12.

12. Modeling successful performance leads to excellence.
If one person can do something it is possible to model it and teach it to others.

NLP Presupposition 13.

13. If you want to understand - Act
The learning is in the doing.