Think Yourself Deeper - The Process of NLP
Posted By Sam Kirby on 24 March 2003
Salesmen use it to help clinch deals, managers use it to motivate their teams, Olympic athletes reckon it helps them to the gold -- but just what can NLP do for you and your freediving?
About a year ago now, I was introduced to the basic concepts of Neuro Linguistic Programming by Ed Hines, a licensed NLP practitioner working in Paris. In the last twelve months and specifically in the run up to Hawaii, I have used it a lot and thought maybe it would be a good idea to share it with Deeper Blue folk who - at times, go on admit it - seem so obsessed about what their O2 count/spleen/lungs/mammalian reflex and tearducts are doing to focus on what has to be one of the major freediving factors -- the mind game!
NLP has been defined as "the psychology of excellence" and is based on the belief that if one person can be outstanding then we can all learn to be. It looks at the links between thoughts and physiology, between our beliefs and our actions and how the mind and body interact upon each other. In summary -- we are looking at a loosely structured set of processes that, with practice, enable us to use and manage our attitudes, resulting in fewer off-days and a faster recovery from set backs.
How many times have you felt that your mind has talked your body out of a good dive? You forgot your mask and had to borrow one, your usual buddy isn't around and you're not sure about the new guy (even though he's Kirk Krack), there are kids throwing a ball around in the pool.... You know in your heart that all these things are not REAL reasons why your dive was pathetic but yet you still blamed them. NLP can help you override these stressors, ensuring that your mind supports your body in your attempts and both are synchronised to deliver optimum performance as you require it.
Sounds good -- but how do we do it? Well it's kind of open ended really. There are almost countless principles and ideas within NLP so I will get you started by introducing you to those which I have so far found to be useful for my freediving.
The first is the notion of Rapport. This is easiest to think about if you consider your relationship with a good friend. To have Rapport with your friend means you have a mutual trust and responsiveness with each other. Your beliefs, values and actions are in line. Once you have got your head around that then apply it internally. Rapport within yourself is known as Congruence. To be Congruent you need to establish Rapport with yourself in three major areas -- Physical Rapport, Mental Rapport and Spiritual Rapport. Freedivers are familiar with the first, generally we are healthy but do we have that sense of well being that comes from eating right, sleeping right, training right -- or at least how we personally feel is "right". Mental Rapport may be a new concept, is your head in the right place? Do you feel at peace with yourself? You try and do a great dive after having a screaming row with your partner and tell me Mental Rapport is not important! Finally take a look at your Spiritual Rapport. This may be religious or not but generally you are aiming for feeling comfortable with your place in the world, why you are here and what you are up to. Of course, it seems more relevant if you break this down a little further, to a competition dive for example.
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