NLP PERCEPTUAL POSITIONS

Perceptual Positions is a technique that allows us to have multiple perspectives in any situation so that you can have greater influence and be even more flexible.

“Do not judge your neighbour until you have walked a mile in his moccasins; do not evaluate until you have, through
multiple descriptions, gained news of difference.”
Turtles All The Way Down, page 200.

WISDOM COMES FROM MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES.

First Position:  Looking at the world from your own point of view, through your own eyes.  You are totally associated and not taking account of anyone else’s point of view, your own referential index.
How does this affect me?

Second Position:  Considering how it would look, feel, and sound for another person.  Looking through another person’s eyes; appreciating the other person’s point of view.
How does this appear to them?
The stronger rapport you have with another person, the easier it will be for you to appreciate their reality and achieve second position.

Third Position or Meta Position:  Observing the system or feedback loop of first and second positions from a dissociated position.  Seeing the world from an outside point of view, as an independent observer, someone with no personal involvement in the situation.  (Meta from Greek meaning beyond, above, at a higher level.)
How would this look to someone who is not involved?
This creates an objective viewpoint from which you can generate and evaluate some useful choices in a difficult situation.

All three positions are equally important and the purpose is to be able to move between them freely, taking the information gained from each, to inform the system differently.  This is the basis of a Triple Description.

THE DISNEY PATTERN
From Robert Dilts
Disney Creativity Strategy.  From Meta Position select three physical locations (in a triangular pattern) and label them: Dreamer, Realist, Critic.
1. Anchor the appropriate strategy to each physical location:
• Think of a time you were able to creatively dream up or fantasise new ideas without any inhibitions; step into the Dreamer location and relive that experience.  Break State.
• Identify a time you were able to think very realistically and devise a specific plan to put an idea effectively into action; step into the Realist location and relive that experience.  Break State.
• Think of a time when you were able to constructively criticise a plan, offering positive and constructive criticism as well as finding the problem. Step into the Critic location and relive that experience.  Break State.
2. Pick an outcome you want to achieve and step into the Dreamer location. Visualise yourself accomplishing this goal as if you were a character in a movie. See the process as if it were a ‘story-board’, a sequence of images. Think about it in a free, uninhibited manner.
3. Break State by returning to the Meta position.  Access the information from Dreamer.
4. Step into the Realist location and check the plan you have ‘dreamed’ up. Notice what you need to change in order to fit a realistic sequence.
5. Break State by returning to the Meta position.  Organise the information from Realist.
6. Step into the Critic location and find out if anything is missing or needed.
7. Break State by returning to the Meta position.  Evaluate the information from Critic.
8. Step back into the Dreamer location to creatively change the plan to incorporate the information gathered from the Realist and the Dreamer.
9. Cycle through Steps 2 - 6 until your plan congruently fits each position.

ã 2006, WestOne The NLP Training Company