How To Create An Nlp Anchor

NLP Anchoring

Anchoring is one of the most fundamental NLP techniques. It enables stimulus-reaction coupling to be established in a targeted manner. This enables us to store feelings and to recall them when needed.

Make your daily life easier and improve your customer relations with the knowledge and use of our natural conditioning mechanisms. Learn to create beneficial emotional reactions and to dissolve restrictive ones whenever you want to.

Contents

Setting Anchors
The Concept of Anchors
Subject Areas
State Management
Physiologies
Merging Anchors
Chaining Anchors

How to use anchoring? Setting Anchors

Setting an anchor means consciously linking an external stimulus with an existing experience. All sensory channels can be used for anchoring (pictures, sounds, sensations, smells, tastes). Anchors can be set and released by oneself or by others (self-set, external anchor). Firing an anchor means triggering the stimulus, reactivating and experiencing the previously anchored experience.

Standard steps:

First determine the resource, the state you would like to have available "at the push of a button" and select the anchor with which you want to retrieve this state. The anchor can be a certain smell, a song or simply a pressure on a certain place on your body.

Remember, fully associated, an experience in which you had the desired resource available
Trigger the selected anchor just before the peak, i.e. the highest intensity of the resource-rich state
Separator: interrupt the state, e.g. with a distracting question
Test: Trigger the anchor again to test if it works

The Concept of Anchors

An anchor is a stimulus (stimulus, trigger) that causes a certain reaction in a person that is always the same. Unlike a reflex, however, this particular reaction has been learned and is not innate. Thus, an external stimulus, such as a certain song, can be linked to an inner state, e.g. a feeling of being in love.

Further examples: Ringing of the telephone or memorable pieces of music, traffic signs or holiday photos, a hot cooker, certain smells like freshly baked bread or taste memories, logos, slogan ("Just do it!", "simply good" - McDonalds"), distinctive voices, certain items of clothing.
Anchors influence our emotional states almost non-stop. However, special importance should only be given to anchors that are associated with intense emotional states.

Recognising your anchors and replacing them with more positive ones if necessary is an important step on the way to good self-esteem.

Conscious anchoring represents an extension of the concept of classical conditioning according to Pawlow. Pavlov first noticed, rather by chance, that the dogs he was researching with salivated as soon as they heard the footsteps of the guard, who would give them their food shortly afterwards. Curious, Pavlov would ring a bell before the dogs were fed and after a while the mere ringing of the bell would cause the dogs' mouths to water.

We can now use this phenomenon to intentionally anchor desired emotional states with a trigger. In this way the desired emotional state can be called up practically on command by the trigger - the anchor. In principle, any sensory impression can be used as an anchor, whether it is a gesture, touch, image, sound, word or smell.

What are the five keys to anchoring? Components of good anchors

Timing of the anchor.

A good anchor has a 1: 1 relationship to the excitation curve. That means, we begin to set the anchor when the excitement is nearing its maximum and increase the pressure (in a kinesthetic anchor) with the increase of excitement. It is important to stop in time so as not to anchor the down curve.
Intensity of the state.

In order to install a really strong anchor, the state we have anchored also must have been strong. We do not create a state with an anchor but rather hold it. You can only anchor what's there.
Precision of repetition.

If the location of the anchor is not accurately hit when repeating, then the anchor will not work or not at the optimum intensity.
Uniqueness of the anchor.

If the same anchor is used for different states, the states will mix. If you want to install an anchor that will last for a long time, then it is important to create one that is not constantly overlaid by other experiences in the course of a normal life. So, a handshake is certainly not a good anchor, because it is constantly overlaid by different experiences.
Purity of the state.

When someone remembers a positive state while regretting that this state will quickly come to an end, this wistful feeling will naturally also be anchored. Therefore, make sure that the state you anchor is as "clean" as possible.

Maintain Emotional States

I fell in love for the time at Lake Balaton in Hungary. It was a girl from Berlin, and I met her in a holiday group. I had no idea what triggered this feeling of elation, but it was fantastic. During the day, we saw each other on the beach and in the evenings we sat together and danced at the disco. That summer there was one hit that was really popular. In the daytime you could hear it coming from people's ghetto blasters and at night from the discotheque speakers. It was the reggae song "Kingston Town" by UB40.

So, I was completely in love and this song was playing everywhere. Love ended soon after the holidays; I only received one letter from her. But two years later something really amazing happened. Lake Balaton was long forgotten. I was sitting in a bistro when suddenly I was overcome by the same wonderful feeling from that time. I saw her, I saw Lake Balaton, I heard her voice and felt my first kiss again. I wondered what had made me suddenly think of all that again. I looked around and only then did I realize: "Kingston Town" was playing in the background. I'm sure you also know songs which can awake memories and feelings you thought were long forgotten as if at the push of a button. And it still works. I have just put this song on as I am writing, and all those images appear in my mind as I listen to it again. You should immediately try it yourself. Listen to a song which reminds you of the most beautiful and intense moments of your life!

State Management

The ability to influence our emotional states is crucial to our lives. On the one hand we can in this way overcome fears and stress. On the other hand, we can generate emotional states such as love and self-confidence in ourselves.

Physiologies

Our physical processes play a crucial role in our emotional states. They indicate our internal states. But by changing the physiology, we can also change our states.

Setting Anchors

Anchoring is one of the most fundamental NLP techniques. It makes it possible to selectively produce stimulus-response coupling. This will enable us to store feelings and recall them when needed.

Collapsing Anchors

By means of this NLP technique, unpleasant anchors can be effectively neutralized. A strong, positive anchor is set and then is fired off simultaneously with the negative anchor.

Chaining Anchors

In this anchoring technique, several anchors are fired off one behind the other. This creates a chain of anchors that can lead you from very negative states into very positive states.

State Management and Internal Representation

State Management

The ability to influence our emotional states is crucial to our lives. On the one hand we can overcome fears and stress. On the other hand, we can generate emotional states such as love and confidence in ourselves.

Definition

A state is the sum of all the neurophysiological processes that take place in us at the same time. In other words, NLP describes state as a momentary condition (mood or state of mind) that is expressed in terms of "physiology" and feeling. We experience the world through our sensory organs. The external stimulus, e.g., a sunbeam or the voice of a friend, is transmitted through our nervous system by electrical or chemical signals in our brain. There then arise images, sounds and other sensations. These represent the external stimulus.

Internal Representation

Our behavior is critically dependent on our state and it is influenced by our internal representations as well as by our physiology, i.e., you can change your state by imagining something else or by changing your physiology.

Resource State, Stuck State, Separator State

The NLP distinguishes three important states:

Being in Resource State means that all personal abilities and positive energies are accessible and available, which is usually accompanied by a powerful or joyful feeling. You feel rich in resources.

Stuck State means a condition that is perceived as blocked, stressed or uncomfortable. Resources are no longer perceived, or they are experienced as inaccessible.

Separator State refers to a neural or emotionally discrete state used to interrupt a current state.

Stuck State

Literally translated, this means condition in which one is stuck or held fast. A problem state in which a person is stuck and presents them with a "problem". Problems are often marked by certain triggers, certain anchors. Whenever this anchor is activated (for example, someone is talking very loudly to me), a certain unwanted state will occur (for example, I feel small). A stuck state has a specific physiology. It is usually also physically accompanied by a feeling of rigidity: I feel stiff and not very flexible. NLP's modification techniques aim to positively change stuck states.

Physiologies

Our physical processes play a crucial role in our emotional states. They indicate our internal states. But by changing the physiology, we can also change our states.

Physiology refers to everything that has to do with the physical body (as distinct from psychic events). The physiology of a person includes everything that can be observed externally through close perception, especially the entire body language. NLP is based on a close connection between body and mind. The physiology of a person has a direct influence on his cognitive processes and on his inner state. Small changes in physiology can have a major impact on your inner state.

What all belongs to Physiology?

breathing
lip size
complexion
muscle tension
attitude
ideomotor, i.e., unconscious movements
eyes: line of vision, eyelid reflex, size, moisture
voice: pitch, volume
perspiration
and many more....

Thies Stahl distinguishes between problem physiology, target physiology, resource physiology and reconciliation physiology as well as various mixed physiologies.

Problem Physiology

This is defined as the state from which the client names what he finds to be problematic, and how he does so detail. A person shows their problem physiology when talking about their problem, remembering a situation (or imagining a situation in the future) that has not turned out to their satisfaction (will result). Problem physiologies can be perceived accurately, but they are different for each person.

Target Physiology

This is defined as the physiology that my client must demonstrate to me in most NLP modification techniques so that, as a therapist, I know how to tell when the change work is complete.

Resource Physiology

Resource physiology is very similar to target physiology. It is defined as the physiology of the abilities with which my client can get into the target physiology. Respiration, posture, muscle tone, and ideomotor movements will be similar in both states. At the end of the change work, the client should have learned to use the resource physiology himself.

Reconciliation Physiology

Reconciliation physiology is defined as the physiology that accompanies the often very intense experience of the client, when he suddenly knows that the behavior he wants to rid himself of is absolutely meaningful and indispensable to something specific in his life. In the moment in which he can somehow appreciate the function of the behavior in particular contexts, he shows this physiological change.

Merging Anchors

By means of this NLP technique, unpleasant anchors can be effectively neutralized. A strong positive anchor is used, which is fired simultaneously with the negative anchor.

Classical anchor merging technique

Negative Anchor
Lead your partner to a state where he has sensations that he feels are inappropriate and unpleasant. If it is completely in the state, anchor this state by touching the knee or touching a knuckle or other harmless area of the body.
Separator
Separate your client from that state by asking him questions that will lead him to a different, neutral state. For example, ask him where he was last on vacation.
Test
Test by re-firing the anchor to see if it works. If not, go back to 1. If yes, go to 2.
Positive Anchor
Lead your client to a state where he had a sensation that he would like to have in the first situation. Anchor this condition to the other knee or ankle.
Separator
Separate your client again as in 2, but better with other questions.
Test
Test the positive anchor by touching the corresponding spot again. Calibrate yourself to the changes your client can not arbitrarily produce. Insure yourself by asking if the anchor is acting strongly enough. If your client has to help with ideas for the anchor to work properly again, it is not installed properly yet. Then go back to 4, otherwise go to 7.
Merging the anchors
Now hold the positive anchor, and then fire the negative. Use the Hypnotalk on the next page. Wait until the physiological changes have calmed down and your client makes a symmetrical, positive impression. If the positive anchor has not been strong enough or should this resource have not been enough, go back to 4 and get an additional resource.
Test
Test the merge by asking your client to think about the awkward situation and pay attention to how he responds. If the physiology still contains signs of problem physiology, then back to 4. If not, lead your clients into future similar situations (Future Pace).

Hypnotalk: Integrative Suggestions

Firing and holding the positive anchor:

Now that you feel that pleasant feeling in your whole body, you can intensify it ... And now...

Firing and holding the negative anchor:

You start to see and hear what there was to see and hear in the negative situation, while you continue to stay in the pleasant feeling! ... And with all the new and changed sensations and feelings, it could be that you are now assessing the situation quite differently, or that you are discovering aspects that you have neglected so far or did not even recognize ... Isn't it? ... and to the extent that the meaning of this situation has changed for you…

Letting the negative anchor go:

You can now start to try out new behaviors that correspond with your expectations and needs! ... Isn't that so?

Chaining Anchors

In this anchoring technique, several anchors are fired one after the other. This creates a chain of anchors that can take you from very negative states to very positive states.

Sometimes the target state is emotionally so far removed from the initial state that a series of intermediate steps is necessary to get from the undesired state into the desired state quickly by using anchors:

Elicit the initial state
Determine the target state with the client.
Design a chain of states with the client that naturally leads to the target state.
Anchor every single state, e.g., on a knuckle. Separate and test each anchor.
Fire the first anchor and wait for the physiology to fully develop, then release the anchor and wait about 1-2 sec until you fire the next anchor.
Continue to the target state.
Take a break for a few minutes. When the client is completely out of state and there is no danger of the last state being chained to the first, then start over. Go through the chain three times.
Test.
Fire the first anchor and calibrate it yourself to see if the chained process is now running by itself.
Future Pace.

Example: from hesitating to "go for it!"

1) Hesitation

Ask your partner to find a situation in which he actually knew what he wanted but hesitated.
Guide him to this situation (VAKOG) and anchor him on the knuckle of the little finger A1. Increase the pressure as the experience intensifies.
Then take your finger away and interrupt the condition ("separator").

2) Annoyance

Repeat step 1) with "being annoyed" instead of "hesitating".
Anchor on the knuckle of the ring finger. A2 - Separator.

3) Impatience

Repeat step 1) with "impatience".
Anchor on the middle finger's knuckle. A3 – Separator.

4) Unbridled lust

Repeat step 1) with a situation where your partner was so keen on something that he could barely wait until .....
Anchor on the knuckle of the index finger. A4 – Separator.

5) Go for it!

Repeat step 1) with a situation in which there was no stopping him - with a total "go for it" feeling.
Anchor on the knuckle of the thumb. A5 - Separator.

6) Chain

Do A1 again in "hesitation", then move your finger to A2 and lead him to "being annoyed", then go to A3 with your finger and lead him to "impatience", then on A4 and "unbridled lust", then on to A5 and "go for it!". Repeat step 6) several times faster and faster until A1 leads right to "go for it!".

7) Test / Future Pace

Let your partner find a future situation in which he knows what is best but has hesitated so far. Then ask him to pay attention to how the idea and the feeling of this situation changes when you tap A1 briefly.
If "go for it!" does not occur, go back to step 6.