The Power of a Post-it Note!
(a necessary thought interrupt)
Recently I found a yellow sticky Post-it note handwritten by my 11 year daughter which had been planted in my pencil case...yes I still use a pencil case! and unashamedly it comes with a strict rule – hands off like the same rules applies with mums expensive lipstick, perfume, necklace, headbands and the list goes on. When I came across it I was was on a call frantically trying to unzip and find a favourable working pen single handedly for me to jot some notes down from a prospective client. I noticed it at the corner of my eye and had an inclining of what it might be… (all this whilst I was in mid flow on the phone) it instantly gave me a lift and couldn’t wait to unwrap it to read what it said… I didn’t … I waited until the call ended. I’m sure the caller could tell my reaction over the phone just by the change of tone, pitch and volume in my voice whilst the corners of my mouth turning up into a smile. Thankfully the subject of the call was for information and we were not in deep detail on a topic so wouldn’t have been undiscerning?for the caller so this was certainly a welcome thought interrupt, a virtual hello or tug on my jumper or even a hand placed in my hand.?
It was particularly necessary that day as I hadn’t paused for breath from all the jobs I had planned. I was on a mission and fully motivated to get the jobs done. I missed breakfast and I? didn’t even have my morning caffeine fix of coffee. I didn’t do the usual send off for school with my daughter that day either… it was more of a rush … hurry up, and my silly loud motivational morning announcement of ‘let’s do this people’! Perhaps not so convincing and didn’t quite have the same sincere tone to it come to think of it. Perhaps this is what prompted my daughter to do what she did, she noticed Mum being preoccupied and not actually in the moment.
As Shropshire’s only licensed NLP4Kids child and teenage therapist I never judge other people’s parenting I’m certainly not a perfect parent myself, perfect parents do not exist. Not only do I use NLP Neuro Linguistic Programming?with my clients to help with anxiety for example, but I use NLP in my life too.? I love sharing these strategies and explanations with other families not only in Telford in Shropshire but I also work online too. I am conscious at changing? some unhelpful behaviours and language I use that have unconsciously embedded in my head.?
This little piece of yellow paper was the perfect thought interrupt for me that day, others may say it was a ‘glimmer’ (opposite of a trigger).?
This tradition probably started when my daughter lost her first tooth and when the tooth fairy visited. Little notes would be found under my daughters pillow with a coin and a little note… to this day I can’t remember exactly what was written but something simple, short and sweet. These random notes have carried on the tradition in our house but I must admit they have not been so regular theses days. Note to self: must write more notes-no pun intended! ;-)
In the early days picture notes would be left under Mummy or Daddy’s pillow only to be found when getting in bed late at night whilst fluffing up the pillow or even waking up the next day stuck on my cheek or hair! Other notes would be found in my daughters lunch box…very simple straight to the point. I used to visualise the time where she would open up her lunchbox with her friends and see her smile on face and the feeling she would get inside, I decided to do these notes if she had shown signs of anxiety about something or someone. I would wonder would she share with her friends what she found or would it be kept as a personal special moment. Just for a second… a lovely thought interrupt for her to carry on with her school day. Another good hiding place would be inside her trainer in her PE kit. Part of the game would be randomly hiding things so the each of us would be unaware and receive a virtual hug at a random moment in time when you least expect it. This time it was my … out of bounds pencil case.
Do not forget to show each other how much we appreciate, love, care or simply for being the person they are. Even if you don’t say it face to face there are so many other ways we can positively communicate with each other. Ohh and if my daughter can’t get her hands on Post-it notes she randomly draws a picture in one of my several notepads I have placed about the house.
Let’s not underestimate the power of the little yellow Post-it note. And whilst I type this it has made me smile remembering all these nuggets of, comforting happy memories. They are well ‘anchored’ in my mind.
P.S I’m not sponsored by 3M 公司 but if they would like me to be just send me a note or two…
At Child Therapy Telford – NLP4Kids memories like these help with creating a technique? that we use in NLP with clients; this is what we call an ‘anchor’. We all have anchors and this is a strategy which helps? to change an unhelpful feeling for example anxiety, lack of confidence, or even anger to change to another more helpful emotion very quickly.?
Please reach out if you want to know further details on creating positive changes
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Louisa Gauld-Crichton - Child and Teen Licensed NLP4Kids Practitioner
Child Therapy Telford, Shropshire
Company Director
10 个月Love this!
Author and Educator - Cultivating Children's Personal Development
10 个月This is so impactful Louisa! Eva wrote a note on a heart shaped piece of card with a ribbon and put it on my desk a few moths ago. I was in the kitchen making dinner and she said I have written you a note mummy. When I read it, it really made me think. It said 'Be the you, you want to be, Be the you, you want to see.' Instantly it made me think about how I was so caught up in the day to day that I can easily forget the little things that really matter. I now make a conscious effort to be aware of the words I use and Eva and I have learnt so much from your support through your programme NLP for Kids. We even wrote Eva's message on a stone and put it outside our front door, like the ones you have outside your house. ?? Thank you for all your support Louisa - you are making such a difference to support parents and children. I am so grateful for all your support and guidance.