Recently I have found myself using my Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) skills as I work with my clients and their anxiety around education and the workplace.

Exam pressure and anxiety regarding presenting have featured significantly in my coaching sessions over the last few months.

One of my favourite NLP tools is the ‘Circle of Excellence’ which enables people to increase their positive emotions, broaden their sense of possibilities and get them into the ‘right state’. By opening the mind it allows my clients to build new skills and resources and obtain success in what they want to achieve.

The Circle of Excellence is a basic self-anchoring process originally developed by Dr John Grinder, co-creator of NLP. It can be used to elicit, create and stabilise desired states by using an imaginary circle on the floor as a spatial anchor. It requires no tools or other kit so it can easily be created wherever the person maybe.

Here are five things I ask my clients to consider when using the ‘Circle of Excellence’ technique:

• Know how you want to feel by asking yourself the question ‘How do I want to feel in my exam, presentation, rugby game’ (e.g focused, confident, calm, excited)
• Design a ‘Circle’ that works for you as an anchor
• Anchor your desired states
• Test your anchor
• Remember that your resource exists and use it

If you know of someone that would benefit from coaching and NLP then please contact me.

Have a great week in the sunshine.