Here we go with the technical names again. : ) Meta-Programs explain how we process and filter information and make how we make decisions

Meta Programs helps us to understand how two people can see the same thing so differently. It has a lot to do with how our brains filter information.

Because our conscious minds can only handle 6 – 9 pieces of information at one time our brains pick and chose, delete, distort and generalize in order to avoid sensory overwhelm.

NLP explains these differences with Meta-Programs or conscious filters that help us deal with the huge amount of information we receive each day.

You can imagine how this process alters our reality and creates our map of the world. Because we filter and delete our map is not complete.

There are over 60 Meta-Programs in NLP. I’ll just go over 3 so you can understand what a Meta-Programs are.

The 1st one is Toward and Away From Motivation – Some people tend to move toward a goal while others tend to move away from a potential problem.

Did you ever notice how some employees are motivated by awards, bonus and trips while others don’t really get motivated by those things. The other group might be more motivated by trying to avoid a problem like being last in sales rankings. Neither one is right or wrong they’re just different.

When sponsoring and mentoring your team you can recognize people who are motivated towards because they will use words like, get, have, achieve or obtain.

People who are motivated “away from” will use words like, avoid, overcome, solve or prevent.

The 2nd Meta-Program is Matching and Mismatching - In the past we have been told it is because people are being either negative or positive but NLP uses the Meta-Program of Matching and Mismatching to explain this –

Have you ever known someone who sees the best in everything? They are usually well liked and people say they are positive. Now how about someone who sees the disadvantages in everything? These people are often viewed as argumentative.

When I learned why this happens with people it had a big effect on me and how I view different ways of communicating. When I was a Regional Manager I used to have a Manager who found a flaw in every idea that was made by other Managers and would point them out in meetings. Needless to say she wasn’t very popular. Everyone saw her as negative including me. Then I learned NLP and understood her motives.

Our brains have two ways of understanding external information. We either notice how things are different or how they are the same. Sorting for how things are the same is called matching. Sorting for differences is called mismatching.

When someone is matching they listen for things that they have experienced and make a connection between what they hear and what they know. They focus on what works.

When someone is mismatching they listen for differences between what they hear and what they know. They focus on what’s missing. Mismatching can give the impression of criticism. However they are just looking at what doesn’t match and expressing that.

You can learn to appreciate this mismatching as being helpful. Once I understood that this Manager was just sorting information by mismatching and looking for what might not work and not really trying to be negative I began to communicate with her much differently during meetings. What I did was to begin to first ask for ideas and then ask if she could help us foresee any obstacles that might stand in our way and help us find a solution. The difference was amazing. She then felt valued and the other employees began to see her as helping prevent a problem instead of being critical.

The 3rd and final Meta-Program is Options and Procedures It helps us understand this difference between people who prefer lots of choices and options while others like to follow set procedures.

Have you ever wondered why some people prefer to see the big picture while others focus on the small details?

The Options Pattern is easy to spot because these people love variety and like bending the rules. They thrive on choices and love new ideas. They usually have lots of things going on at once. If you know someone who starts lots of things but rarely finishes it they are likely to have the options pattern

This might not be new information for you but it is helpful to recognize which one your client might be.

When mentoring an options oriented person listen for words like choices, possibilities, alternative and variety. While coaching and options type person you can give them several choices of assignments or a few assignments at the same time and they will love you.

The key to identifying a procedures ways of thinking is noticing that someone wants to do things step by step. They like to see things to the end and can feel overwhelmed with too many options. Listen for words like, pattern, reliable, proven or tried and tested. You will want to be more results focused with a procedures oriented client. Use assessments, charts and step by step procedure to keep them happy and motivated.

Use these skills and you will be a success at the oldest or the latest home based business opportunity.