Using the NLP Neurological Levels model to identify with yourself and make positive changes in life and business

Reframing your mindset can be particularly tricky if you don’t really know where to start. Your attitudes are informed by a generalised set of values and a more complex web of beliefs, and these go on to affect your behaviour. In the 1990s, Robert Dilts developed the Neurological Levels model which is a hierarchy of levels that shape our lives and can be used to help reframe individual mindsets.

There are five levels to this hierarchy used to understand and assess different aspects of an individual.

The level right at the bottom is environment which looks at the physical surroundings, the culture, and the external systems that influence the behavior of a person. Above this, we have behaviour itself. It looks at the specific actions and reactions of a person and includes observable behaviours and actions that can be easily noticed and measured.

Capabilities is next and refers to the competencies, skills, and abilities that someone possesses. It includes the specific knowledge and skills required to perform tasks effectively.

Beliefs and values follow this which looks at the underlying principles, values, and beliefs that guide a person’s behavior and decision-making process. It encompasses the fundamental beliefs and values that shape an individual.

Finally, we have identity, the most powerful and deepest level, which represents the core sense of self and those deep-rooted beliefs about who an individual is. This can include things like self-image, self-concept, and the overall sense of identity that drives behaviour and shapes perspectives.

Sometimes there is another level at the top - purpose or vision. This involves the deeper purpose, mission, and spirituality that give meaning to someone’s existence. It goes beyond personal or organisational identity and very much focuses on a person’s broader sense of purpose and contribution to the world.?

The idea of this model being a triangle is that each higher level affects those things below it. Identity and purpose sit at the top, which is where I Coach to create a huge ripple of change down through every level. People often operate (or get coached) at just one or two of the lower levels (changing surroundings, behaviours and learning new capabilities), which then makes the ability for long term change much harder.?

There is a great phrase that cleverly breaks this hierarchy down - “I can/can’t do that here”

I. This is in relation to the purpose/identity: What is your purpose? Where do you belong? Who are you? How do you understand yourself?

Can/Can’t. This is the belief aspect: What is important to you? Why do you do what you do? What do you believe about yourself???

Do. This is about your capability: What specific skills do you have? Are there any opportunities to develop new skills? How do you do what you do???

That. This is the behaviour: What is preventing you from behaving differently? What are you doing here?

Here. This is about the environment: Where are you here? Who are you with? What are you watching? What can you hear? What can you taste and smell?

If you are feeling blocked in making positive change and feel a lot of the? “I can’t do that (here)”, your levels are misaligned and you probably feel a lot of frustration, limiting beliefs, or even anxiety, depending on which levels aren’t aligning. If you need help in getting these aligned so you can make any changes you need to make and move forward to believing that you can do that, visit She-Coaches.com and get booked in with me.