Journey to NLP Trainer Certification!

This one is special and highly fulfilling!

I am happy to share that I am now a certified International NLP Trainer as per INLPTA standards. The trainer's certification course was held at Goa from Nov.21-30, 2023.?

The assessment criteria involved clearing three theory exams on NLP Practitioner, Master Practitioner and Trainer level concepts, which had to be cleared with 85% pass marks. Additionally, there were several rounds of short presentations on design and delivery of NLP concepts, with two one-hour presentations that involved teaching and demonstration as well.?

When I signed up for the program last December, and received the assessment criteria, I felt akin to a student who is about to appear for some entrance exam for higher studies. As me and my study buddies started off with the in-depth theory prep, excitement and nervousness started playing musical chairs! The theory prep involved extensive reading and research of books and publications from the creators and developers of NLP from its early days. The material was at the best of times, dense and verbose, and at the worst of times, confusing! But discussing and working in groups helped a big deal in overcoming barriers to grasping these seemingly difficult but simple principles!

On arriving in Goa, it felt like being in a hostel with fellow students on a course. We had 6.30am start with Qi Gong on the beach, which really helped with stance, voice, body positions and breathing while delivering training presentations. And then the formal classrooms sessions went on from 10am to 7pm, when we ended the day with lively and super-competitive concept quizzes, just to get us into the flow of exam prep, but to also allow us to enjoy the process of assessments!

Post 7pm, there was dinner, and then prep for the next day, where we got into study groups and taught/discussed/debated/discovered concepts and aided each other along the way. Towards the end of the program, prep also extended into design of flipcharts and getting ready for next day's presentations! Everything from cookies, tea/coffee sachets, the occasional paracetamol was exchanging hands just to ensure everyone stayed awake through the preparation!

Special shoutout to:

- Robert Smith - our Master Trainer, who has been teaching NLP for 43 years now. I felt that getting the trainer certification done would mean a lot, and it still does, but Robert showed what mastery and magic is, and threw open doors to some exciting stretches and challenges along the NLP journey ahead. What magic is, and what a true magician he is, I have witnessed!

- Liz Bailey - who is "grace and elegance" personified, helped us through with her abundant energy and "straight as an arrow" observations! She showed what it means to be energetic and in the moment! And most importantly, she taught us how to experience flow, through the union of breath and movement!

- Suren Kolkankar - for creating an environment that was so comforting and inviting, from the first time I spoke to him on the phone to sign up for the course, till the program conclusion. Suren's sense of care and enabling nature allowed all of us, and especially me, to focus on my effort in the program and not have to worry about anything else. For creating that space, thank you!

- Anup Talwar - for creating so many opportunities to stretch and grow and challenge my own limiting beliefs during the entire process. Anup's presence was like that of an efficient surgeon, swift and effective! But more than anything else, for his generosity in giving us time and attention, in our late-night prep!

- Jumana Parveen - for all the behind-the-scenes efforts that made the whole experience an enjoyable and comfortable one. Again, how well things go in the room can be credited to the hours of attention to detail that goes on at the back of the room, and the smoothness in organization was something to be experienced.

- Apeksha Vernekar - for reminding us to not take things seriously and to wind back a little bit. Whether it was through conversations during the break or the follow-up on arrangements before arriving and even after leaving, she ensured that we didn't miss the nitty gritty, but also, that we didn't wind ourselves up too much!

- Sandhya Vinod and Maria Shah (and Ramchandra Patil ) - my partners in crime from day one of the journey, but more importantly for being examples of how one overcomes adversity in all shapes and forms, and still focuses on getting things done! If clearing the trainer's training alone was tough, then these two should be walking on air for being able to do it, despite having to handle several emergency situations back home.

- My course mates - Paritosh Sharan , Niti Chand , Kalpana Muralidhar , Chanduri sir, Chandrashekhar sir, Gireesh Joshi, NLP Paul Thomas , Swati Upadhye - for being rockstars and making this journey such a fun and enriching experience! Loads to learn from each of you!

This one is special and marks the beginning of many new adventures, the opening of a Pandora's Box, so to speak.

As they say, watch this space for more!

In gratitude and grace!

Last but not the least, and Liz Bailey mentioned this at the start of the program as we sat in our chairs, "don't forget your magic helpers at home, because of whom you are here"! A loud shoutout to meghana damle who is the best magic helper I have in my corner, and this wouldn't have been possible without her strong stand!