The Map is NOT the Territory (NLP in 21 Days - Harry Alder, Beryl Heather)

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Product:	NLP in 21 Days - Harry Alder, Beryl Heather
Date:	06/03/06 (216 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent insightful introduction to NLP or useful for those with prior knowledge

Disadvantages: It is hard to shift your worldview purely from a book with no other interaction, needs discipline to

NLP in 21 Days, by Harry Alder and Beryl Heather is a comprehensive introduction to the principles of Neuro Linguistic Programming covering the international syllabus for practitioner training.

I have owned this book for a little while; having had an introduction to the pragmatic approaches of NLP a number of years ago, when I was completing my MBA. Perhaps the unusual (for me), tatty and dog-eared state that my book is in, having been loaned out many times, is testament to the book’s usefulness, perhaps as part of a wider part of personal development.

But firstly what is NLP? Well it can be a little hard to articulate, but essentially NLP is simply an epistemology, or school of thought, regarding the complex links between the mind and language and how this affects our behaviour.

NLP techniques can be used in a number of ways but primarily it helps in change and beliefs about why humas are the way we are, and brings about wisdom and vision in whatever reason, that we exist.

NLP is still in many ways in its infancy in the Western World, although the term was first coined in the 1970’s to codify the work. Robert Dilts was one of the pioneers in the work of NLP theorists. Essentially it is about understanding the tacit knowledge that exists in the minds of successful people and modelling this for application in any area.

In practical terms, practising NLP can help us with any number of challenges including building relationships, increasing self-esteem and positive mental attitude, overcome negative experiences, aligning your beliefs with what you want to achieve.

NLP is built on a number of Pre-Suppositions or dimensions of knowing or general concepts as principles. These should be considered as guidelines, or underlying philosophies and the book takes you through 21 presuppositions within its teachings. Two of the most fundamental suppositions are “The Map is not the Territory” and “Life and ‘Mind’ are Systemic Processes”.

It is only right, therefore, that the book begins with a discussion on this what appears to be straightforward somewhat obvious presupposition – The Map is Not the Territory. But is it really that obvious to everyone? Clearly not, or we wouldn’t have arguments over opposing views, and we would all draw the same conclusions from the same data. But we don’t as we have an unconscious filter on what we see, hear and want to believe, and these filters can restrict both ourselves and our worldview.

Written as a 21 day program, it does not necessarily follow that you would take a strict 21 days to work through. I find, probably like many, that I do not want to be so structured; however what I do find is I am more likely to read at my own pace, and certain parts will have more appeal than others. I used the first presupposition mentioned above in the workplace the other day, in a very simple way, to try and get staff to realise that conflict is just a matter of differing world views.

The chapters themselves are easy to read and work through and are broken down into manageable chunks of information, so you do not get the feeling you are reading a theoretical and largely impractical text.

In terms of structure, each chapter contains some general text as well as insight into the presupposition itself and finally some daily activities, which help to reflect on the presupposition thereby beginning the process of altering your mental models.

There are 100’s of accepted techniques for creative problem solving methods, many of these with their roots in NLP and many are explored in the book itself. I am familiar with the technique of the Well Formed Outcome, having used it in a Business Planning Capacity, and this technique is discussed in Chapter 2, with the focus being on goal setting, or Getting What you Want (whatever that may be in life). The book has plenty of statements conveniently boxed in to focus the mind, and to get you to try and think a little differently.

Some techniques may be confusing at first, when reading alone, and there is no substitute for group based NLP practitioner training, however with a little application, there is no reason why this book cannot deliver almost as many benefits as an expensive training course. I have seen Cartesian questions in action in a group and the impact it can have on resolving personal dilemmas, and this is described neatly in the second chapter for those who wish to practice the technique more fully.

Another very important technique which the book covers is the idea of "solving a problem at a different level to where it was created". I have seen this in action in training, and it is powerful. Essentially we have congruence when all parts of our person are pulling in the same direction at different levels (Identity, Beliefs, Capabilities, Behaviour, Environment). By solving a problem at a deeper level than the level at which it is created enables a longer term and more fulfilling result betweein individuals, whether they be colleagues, family members etc. yet so often we try and resolve conflict at a low level i.e. behavioural level to think of many common examples.

The book covers many of the concepts of NLP that are part of the syllabus for the Practitioner Training Program. This requires 130 hours training. It is not possible then, to achieve quite this level in 21 days of self study. However this book comes into its own as a support tool for anyone who has had a basic introduction to some of the NLP techniques or alternatively for someone who is interested in personal development and can commit some quality time to thinking about their own actions, worldview and corresponding behaviours. I doubt that anyone will find every chapter of the book to be of equal value, but by the same token, even if you find 3-4 chapters help you to take a different perspective, on your every day relationships at home or at work, or on your own inner conflicts and goals - then it has proven its worth.

I think there is some mileage in owning this book over a period of time. I am sure if I revisited it now properly, I would take more from the presuppositions that were not as strong for me the first time around, as some of the others are now embedded in my psyche. Recommended. Good for removing stress too, if you can adopt even a few presuppositions and practice them, (but you may find other people get frustrated with your laid back attitude!)


Finally, some of my favourite Presuppositions from the 21 covered in detail in the book:

The map is not the territory

People create their own experience

A person is not his or her behaviour

Every behaviour has a positive intention

There is no failure, only feedback

Learning is living – we cannot not learn

I am in charge of my mind and therefore my results

Whatever you think you are, you are always more than that

The person with the most flexibility will control the system



Piatkus Publishers Limited £12.99 ISBN 0-7499-2030-0 My copy priced at £12.99 but Amazon currently have the book for sale at 34% discount, or from as little as £5.99 used.

Summary: A useful book for someone who is either committed to learning alone or to those with prior study