I have just graduated from my Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner Course with Mind Transformations Pte Ltd. It was a 136 hour course that was conducted over the weekends within a 3 month period. This course has been transformational for me in many ways. Initially I approached the course with some skepticism because of some preconceived notions of NLP. Well, I couldn’t be more wrong! It’s dangerous how having some knowledge can cause one to perceive and misuse a particular behavioural tool…it is high time we have ethics in place in S’pore to prevent any misuse of behavioural tools to prevent unethical practice by unlicensed trainers or consultants!! Anyway, I digress.
We had a very good mix of characters and professions in the course. A full time student (only 20!), a doctor, a HR professional, some trainers, 2 military officers, a psychologist, a “Dutch lady”, sales professionals, and consultants. It was the best class I ever learned and interacted with! Even though we were quite different, ALL of us were there to learn about ourselves and to make a positive difference to people around us. In the end, all of us made a positive difference to each other and will continue to do so over time. 
As we went through the various NLP exercises of anchoring, SWISH, New Behaviour Generator, Goal setting and S.C.O.R.E with each other, we learnt very intimate things about each other, things that one sometimes does not even share with our loved ones. This aspect was probably what sealed the class even closer. The most telling exercise we did was the board breaking exercise that was the highlight of the course. It was most interesting to observe how each one faced their inner selves/demons in order to break the one-inch block with the palm of our right hand. Most of us had no experience whatsoever to breaking wooden blocks! But nearly all of us achieved it in the end!
It is truly amazing what each experienced when we went through the process of preparation and rehearsal before breaking the block. Before I went up to break the block, I thought I probably had to surge my chi up to break the block. I couldn’t be more wrong! My heart was pumping so fast that I actually had to calm down and manage my state before I went into the stance. That was the “aha” moment for me. That was when I knew that I have to calm down and be focused in order to get into “the zone” of peak performance. I have always thought otherwise. I witnessed how some were quite emotional before and during the exercise. How some coached the rest to prepare themselves.
We all have our inner demons to manage. I am very glad that these people managed to exercise control over their demons because I managed mine too and dropped one right in the “middle of the Dead Sea”. ;-D
Amazing how one simple exercise can make us all learn so much about ourselves! I wonder what else lies in store for us? I cannot wait to find out! I have made some critical decisions about the direction of my life and will continue to work very hard. Sometimes I do wonder if it will be worth it in the end but I know intrinsically that if I do not pursue these dreams of mine, I will regret it for the rest of my life. But first, I need to dump some more demons in “the middle of the Dead Sea”!
The friendships forged in this course will be strengthened and I am truly blessed to have met this diverse bunch of fellow NLP practitioners!
