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Exercises NLP

Swish Pattern for unwanted behaviour


As seen previously, we all process information using our submodalities, (click to read), our five external and internal senses.



By eliciting, finding, or asking about the submodalities of something someone likes to do, and then eliciting the submodalities of the thing they do not like to do, but wants to do – the unwanted behaviour, it will be found that there will be a difference in some of those submodalities.



When eliciting the submodalities of that something they like to do, the picture will be in colour and is bright. Perhaps this picture is in focus and sharp. When the client places the picture in space before them, it is straight in front of them and large, and they are associated in the action, as if they doing the thing (V). Perhaps there is sound (A), and a good feeling (K). (See the list of submodalities by clicking here).



When they form an impression or look at the thing they want to do but they do not like to do, and the submodalities are elicited, perhaps the picture is in black and white, out of focus, placed to one side and a long way away, out of reach, (V), perhaps it has no sound, (A), and gives a bad feeling, (K), and as they look at the picture, it is as if they are watching themselves doing the thing, they are disassociated, (V).

Many differences with the submodalities will be found when asking about or eliciting likes and dislikes, or strategies, some minor, some major. For example, it could be that the something they like has sound, and the something they dislike has no sound. Major difference.

If we can give the strategy of the something we do not like, the same submodalities of the strategy we like to do, we change the submodalities, it has been found that our perception of, or the way we process the strategy of that something we dislike, it will change, thus should we so wish, we can do that something.

 

The SWISH Pattern needs to be executed with speed, the faster the “liked” submodalities are locked into place or replacing “disliked” submodalities, the stronger and long lasting the change will be.

Elicit or establish, as above, the submodalities of the “liked” activity, and especially the place of the picture.
 
Now elicit or establish the submodalities of the “disliked” activity, and again the location of the picture.

Image a hook, way out into space, so small and far away, it is virtually impossible to see.

Attach an elastic band to the hook and to the picture of the “disliked” image. It is important to take the image as reality, and physically do this.

Pull the “disliked” picture towards the client, let them hold the picture.

Release the “disliked” picture, so that it flies out into space, getting smaller and smaller towards the “space hook”, until the “disliked” picture disappears.

SWISH it away, making the sound, “SWWWIIIIIIISSSH“.
                                                                                                        swish the picture away
Then see the picture of the “disliked” strategy, fly back, SWISHing into the same location of the “liked” activity or strategy, and at the same time changing, taking-on, the submodalities of the “liked” activity, for example making the picture colourful, (V), putting sound into the image if there was none, (A), changing the feelings (K), if these were the major differences.

Test the work and ecology, (is it acceptable), and you will find change will take place. 

The SWISH Pattern can be used for unwanted behaviours, compulsive or obsessive behaviours, such as an uncontrollable desire to bite nails, smoke, eating certain foods, or habits.

There are many examples and methods of implementing the SWISH Pattern, but the above example brings quick and easy resolve and change.