An Insight Into NLP: Representation Systems

I speak a lot about why you should add Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to your business or coaching business, but I haven’t yet delved into the different aspects that you get to learn about.?

One aspect of NLP is the concept of representational systems, which is the ways in which people perceive, process, and represent information in their minds. According to NLP, “people have preferred representational systems through which they experience and communicate their thoughts and experiences”.

The VAKOG system is what we use to identify the primary representational systems. These are:

Visual representations?

People who primarily rely on the visual representational system tend to think in terms of visual images, notice visual details, and have a preference for visual learning.

Auditory representations

Individuals who have a preference for the auditory system think in terms of sounds, dialogue, and internal self-talk. You may find they have a good sense of rhythm, be attentive to the tone of voice, and remember information based on how it sounds.

Kinesthetic representations

These are related to physical sensations, touch, and bodily experiences. People who rely on Kinesthetic think in terms of bodily sensations, feelings, and movement. They may have a heightened awareness of their physical environment and use gestures or body language to express themselves.

Olfactory representations

This revolves around the sense of smell and whilst it is less emphasised in NLP compared to the VAK aspects above, some individuals may have a particular sensitivity to smells and associate memories or experiences with specific scents.

Gustatory representations

Related to the sense of taste and similarly to the olfactory system, the emphasis on the gustatory aspect is relatively limited in NLP compared to the VAK systems, but people may associate memories with certain tastes.

It is important to remember that while individuals may have a preferred representational system, they can also use elements from other systems depending on the context and their individual flexibility. Understanding a person's representational system can help you when it comes to being an effective communicator and building rapport, as it allows you to adapt your language and communication style to match their preferred way of processing information. This can be a huge benefit to you as a business owner because it can help you to learn how to connect with your audience on a much higher level.

If this sounds interesting and you’d like to find out more about what you can learn on my accredited course, visit https://she-coaches.com/she-coaches-certification-mentoring/