Jamie Smart’s NLP tip #15 

 The power of sound – 15 April 2003

This tip is now read by 539 people – please help us to reach our target of over 1000 subscribers by the end of June.

 If you only have 30 seconds, see the summary
at the end of the main text.

This Week’s Tip

I was chatting to someone the other day that plays in a band, & asked him what his favourite music was.  He explained that while he thought heavy metal was brilliant, he loved listening to 1920s Gypsy jazz first thing in the morning, because it made him really happy.  As he described how the music made him feel, he started to beam the most radiant smile, and I was struck by just how powerful sound can be, so…

 1.       Sigh, out loud, three times.

A sigh signals to your neurology that all is well, that you are safe & sound.  Sighing three times in a row typically gives an overall sense of comfort & relaxation (and it only takes about 30 seconds!) 

2.       Imagine sighing out loud three times.

You may recall that your unconscious doesn’t distinguish between a ‘real’ experience & a richly imagined one.  You can imagine sighs in situations where you want to feel the benefit & where loud ones would create an unhelpful impression.

Sound has powerful effects at levels below conscious awareness.  When you hear someone whose voice grates on you, the sense of ‘irritation’ is a felt sense (ie. kinaesthetic.)  By the same token, when you hear someone who has a really sexy voice, that has a felt sense too.  There is a deep connection between tonalities and feelings.

3.       Hear a favourite piece of music (from memory.)  Notice the extent to which it’s possible for you to feel the sensations the music creates in your body.  Now become aware of the associated feelings you experience.

I used to be in a rock band, & would always imagine extremely loud rock music playing in my mind just before we went on stage.  It would put me in a very positive state for the performance ahead.  I continue to use this approach if I am going on stage to speak to a large group of people because…it works!

4.       Listen to a favourite piece of music and allow yourself to become aware of how you experience it (music doesn’t just come in through your ears, but ‘touches’ you all over.)  When the piece finishes, play it again in your mind, & find out the extent to which you can replicate all the sensations you originally felt.  Next time you’re in a situation where you want those sensations, press play!

Once you start to become convinced that this really makes a difference, you can start to think of all the different sorts of sounds that, when imagined, will have certain effects. 

More advanced

Sounds are also powerful accessing cues, ie. certain sounds will help yourself and others to access certain information.  If you’ve ever heard someone say “Hmmmmm, let’s see…” then you might conclude that the sound Hmmmmm helps them to access their pictures.  If you wanted them to picture something, do you think that saying Hmmmmm in the same tone of voice might help them to do it?  Hmmmmm, something to think about…

 Summary

Sounds (real or imagined) are a quick & easy way to access powerful resources…

1.       Sigh, out loud, three times.

2.       Imagine sighing out loud three times.

3.       Hear a favourite piece of music (from memory.)  Notice the extent to which it’s possible for you to feel the sensations the music creates in your body.  Now become aware of the associated feelings you experience.

4.       Listen to a favourite piece of music and allow yourself to become aware of how you experience it (music doesn’t just come in through your ears, but ‘touches’ you all over.)  When the piece finishes, play it again in your mind, & find out the extent to which you can replicate all the sensations you originally felt.  Next time you’re in a situation where you want those sensations, press play!

Until next time

Until next time, keep looking for opportunities to use what you’re learning and remember – have fun!

best wishes,

jamie

PS. Are you already an NLP Practitioner or Master Practitioner who would like to get another perspective on NLP?  We offer a 1/3 discount on prac & master prac training if you already hold that certificate.  Our workshops are small group sessions over 20 days so you really get the opportunity to build your skills.  With us, you & your results count.

jamie smart

director

info@saladltd.co.uk

If you have found this tip useful, please share it with any friends, family, colleagues and associates who you think will be interested.  Feel free to reprint it (with credit and subscription information) and continue to enjoy the tips.  I am always grateful for any comments, criticisms or other feedback that you may have.  Please send them to info@saladltd.co.uk

©2003 jamie smart all rights reserved

How to Subscribe

If you have been passed this tip by someone else, and wish to receive Jamie Smart’s 7-day NLP tip, please go to www.saladltd.co.uk to subscribe.