NLP Case Studies: NLP and Increasing Self-Confidence

When I first started learning NLP, I had a client who wanted to increase his self-confidence. So I worked with him using some of the NLP strategies such as modeling and positive affirmations. In this article I’ll be sharing how this was effective and, most important, where I believe that the strategy was completely ineffective for the client and I compared to the VDT principles which I’m exclusively using today to help people develop unshakable self-confidence. If you’re interested in how you can develop natural, rock solid confidence without having to undergo, this might be an interesting read for you...

The Pros and Cons of NLP Modeling

NLP modeling is the method of finding someone who has accomplished the things that you wish to accomplish and who best represents the person you want to become and modeling their behaviors. The up side of this approach is that it challenges a person to become more aware of their own behaviors, their words and their thought process. After all, the more you’re consciously focusing on whether or not you’re displaying the “right” body language, speech patterns and habits, the more aware you become of yourself and with self-awareness comes power...most of the time.

The problem with this approach is that this self-awareness can become self-consciousness VERY fast. After all, it makes you more aware of the contrast between who you are on the inside and this person you’re imitating. Deep inside, all of us are who we are, no matter who we try to tell ourselves that we are or who we try to be like. The problem with modeling is that you’re imitating, and no one ever achieved greatness through imitation.

After over a decade of coaching, I’ve found that this approach, although providing a good means of putting on a show, doesn’t lead to a deeper sense of personal value and of being true to oneself. That’s something which can only be accomplished by applying the VDT principle of Clarity...

The Law of Clarity for Building Self-Confidence

Self-awareness is more important than confidence. The more you understand about yourself, the more you allow for the repressed parts of your personality to express themselves and to mature within the context of real life. As this happens, you begin to grow into the person who you were born to become, and this brings a natural sense of fulfillment and self-assurance. A self-assurance based not on imitation or modeling but based on being true to your deepest desires and drives. This takes longer than modeling, but the effects are MUCH more permanent and it doesn’t leave you with the feeling that you are betraying yourself or living as an impostor.

This is the most certain and natural path to building rock solid, unshakable self-confidence, and the best time to start is right now.