Mapping Perception: Mastering the NLP Reality Strategy Pattern
Introduction: What is Reality Strategy in NLP?
The Reality Strategy pattern in NLP explores how people internally process and validate their experiences to distinguish between what they consider to be "real" and "not real." By understanding and analyzing the specific steps and criteria someone uses to determine the reality of an experience or idea, you can better communicate, influence, and guide their perceptions.
Key Concepts Behind Reality Strategy
1. Internal Representation: Understanding the sensory and cognitive processes that form someone's internal reality.
2. Validation Criteria: Identifying the standards or evidence someone uses to confirm the truth or reality of an experience.
3. Sensory-Based Testing: Recognizing the role of sensory input (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) in validating experiences.
4. Differentiating Reality from Imagination: Exploring how people distinguish between real experiences and imagined or hypothetical scenarios.
5. Influencing Perception: Using insights from someone’s reality strategy to shape how they perceive and respond to situations.
5 Practical Examples of Reality Strategy in Action
Scenario: Someone believes they are not good at public speaking.
Reality Strategy: They may visualize past experiences where they stumbled over words and hear internal criticism. Understanding this allows you to help them reframe those memories or focus on successful speaking events.
Scenario: A person feels anxious about an upcoming job interview.
Reality Strategy: They might internally rehearse the interview, imagining tough questions and feeling a tightness in their chest. You can help them alter their internal rehearsal to visualize a calm, successful interview.
Scenario: A team member insists that a project will fail.
Reality Strategy: They could be picturing past failed projects and hearing negative feedback. By altering their focus to successful past projects, you can shift their perception.
Scenario: A client is unsure about making a big purchase.
Reality Strategy: They might visualize the financial impact or hear internal doubts. Helping them focus on the benefits and successful past investments can influence their decision.
Scenario: Someone feels unmotivated to exercise.
Reality Strategy: They may visualize the discomfort of exercise or hear an internal voice saying it's too hard. Redirecting their strategy to visualize the benefits and past successes can increase motivation.
Key Questions to Explore Reality Strategy
1. How do you know this is true?
2. What do you see/hear/feel that confirms this for you?
3. What would need to happen for you to believe this isn’t true?
4. How do you distinguish between what’s real and what’s not?
5. What evidence do you use to make decisions?
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Reality Strategy
Step 1: Identify the Belief or Experience
Start by identifying a specific belief, perception, or experience that the person considers real.
Step 2: Explore the Validation Process
Ask questions to uncover how the person knows this belief or experience is real. Pay attention to their sensory inputs and internal dialogue.
Step 3: Challenge or Reinforce the Strategy
Depending on the context, either challenge the validity of their strategy by presenting alternative evidence, or reinforce it by aligning your communication with their internal reality strategy.
Step 4: Reframe or Redirect
If needed, help them reframe their experience by introducing new sensory inputs or altering their internal dialogue to create a more empowering reality.
Step 5: Test the New Reality
Encourage the person to mentally rehearse the new reality or belief and check if it feels more real and positive to them.
Concrete Implementation in Real Life
Personal Example: You have a fear of flying. By identifying your reality strategy—perhaps visualizing a plane crash or feeling anxiety in your body—you can work to replace those images with successful flights and calm feelings, gradually changing your perception.
Business Example: A sales team believes that a particular client is too difficult to close. By exploring their reality strategy, you might find that they visualize past rejections. Shifting their focus to visualize successful deals with similar clients can change their approach.
Coaching Environment: A client struggles with self-confidence. By understanding that they see themselves failing and hear self-critical thoughts, you can guide them to replace these with images of success and positive affirmations, building a new, more empowering reality.
Key Takeaways and Conclusions
The Reality Strategy pattern is a vital NLP tool for understanding how individuals construct their perceptions of reality. By exploring and influencing this internal process, you can help yourself or others reshape beliefs, overcome challenges, and achieve more positive outcomes.
Alternative Reframes: Expressing Reality Strategy Differently
1. Mapping Internal Reality
2. Understanding Perceptual Filters
3. Shaping Perception Through Experience
4. Validating Personal Experiences
5. Constructing Meaning from Sensory Inputs
6. Influencing Beliefs Through Sensory Strategies
