 December 2012
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Greetings!
It's not that time yet, and this is not my annual look at the year past and the year to come. That will come later in the month. But we have entered the season of celebration, and I do want to encourage you to make the most of it.
I know. There's always too much to do and lots of reasons to be tired, cranky or disappointed in December. You could focus on all the things that have gone wrong or will probably go wrong. But there are better ways to invest your attention.
Here are two of my favourite things to do during this season. The first is to gather with a mixture of old friends and new people. It is a time of year to remember that new people are less strange and more likely to become friends than we might expect. And it's easy to get to know people when rooms are full of lights and food and nice things to sip.
The second of my favourite things comes later in the season. That's the chance to curl up with a good book and let my mind go on adventures. Those adventures give me new ideas, new energies and new stories of my own.
I'm looking forward to meeting new friends at our annual free one-day course on December 8. I'm hoping that many of my favourite people will stop by for stories and shifts on December 12. Whether you are in the room or not, you will be in my thoughts.
Wishing you good conversation, good food and good laughter,
Linda Ferguson, Ph.D.
Senior Partner
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 HOLIDAY SPECIAL
Reserve your spot in our February NLP Practitioner Course before January 4 and receive 2 free coaching hours with Dr. Linda Ferguson, a copy of SHIFTWORK and a copy of our CD, Prepare to Succeed. Requires a non-refundable $200 down payment on your course fees. Course dates Feb 2/3 and Feb 16/17 and Mar 2/3, 2012.
Total value of this special package: $220.
To reserve, call Carole at 416-928-2394
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December 2012 Events
Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 47 Queen's Park Cres. E., Toronto, ON. All events require registration by calling Carole at 416-928-2394.
Saturday, December 8, 10am to 4pm
Natural Learning Patterns
Andrew Freund and Linda Ferguson lead our annual free introduction to NLP (please bring donations of baby items for the Daily Bread Food Bank). Call Carole at 416-928-2394 to reserve your spot. Only 5 spots left!
Wednesday, December 12, 7:30pm to 9:30pm Inspired! Metaphors of TransformationThis evening features all three of NLPCT's trainers in a celebration of how change happens. Come to learn a little, to meet cool people, to renew NLP friendships and to munch on chocolate and goodies. Please bring a donation of baby items for the Daily Bread Food Bank. We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Monday, December 17, 5:00pm to 8:30pm  Book Signing and Fireside Chat29 McKenzie Drive, Holland Landing, ON RSVP's appreciated by email to Info@ICPublishing.ca (905.853.1968)I'd love to see friends and NLPers from north of the 401 at this special event hosted by NLP Master Practitioner, Sheri Andrunyk. |
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Will You Be Working Shifts This Holiday?
In NLP, we say we are getting a shift when we help someone to identify a perspective from which their goals look more possible and their problems look less scary. While some NLP techniques are particularly aimed at getting a shift, any of them can be used with rapport and intention to work the same magic. NLP practitioners work shifts so that the people around them can be more resourceful, more successful and more engaging.
The holidays are a great opportunity to practice working shifts, even if you have not yet taken a practitioner training. Every gathering seems to offer equal opportunities for lovely moments of connection and difficult moments of disagreement or disapproval. When you find that you are observing someone move from social to sociopath, you can work a shift.
Here's a process that will inspire people to relax, find common ground and enjoy each other's company. Actually, that is the process. Begin by taking a deep breath and noticing that you like to be relaxed and engaged. In that state, pay attention to the people experiencing the difficulty. Your breath, expression and attention will invite them to relax a little with you.
Follow it up with simple (possibly silly) statements that identify some common ground. Comment on the treats you are consuming, the noise around you, or make a reference to a shared difficulty (like parking or wearing heels in the slush). Don't be too direct or introduce too big a change. Just interrupt enough to move the conversation onto common ground.
The final stage is enjoy. We tend to experience the things we notice. If we spend time paying attention to problems, irritations or long-held patterns of discontent, then that's what we get. You can do better. Relaxed and on common ground, you can notice the small causes for shared celebration. Instead of having a pet peeve conversation, steer towards the things that make you feel that life is good.
One of two things will happen. The people around you will relax and change direction so they can enjoy life too. Or they will find it so difficult to hang onto their crappy state around you that they will leave you alone. Either way, you are in no danger of being caught up and everyone has the opportunity to feel better.
This is what we call working a shift. Nothing has changed except the mood in which people are looking at the world. And that changes what is possible. There are no guarantees except that working shifts will make you feel better.
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Linda Reads at HOPE 2012
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SHIFTWORK for the Holidays
At this time of year, there are two possibilities. Either you are one of the people who celebrate Christmas and you are making lists of gifts to give and gifts you would enjoy. Or you are not celebrating Christmas and you are looking forward to the breathing space created by the holidays. In both cases, this is a great time to order one or more copies of Shiftwork.
Shiftwork is a short, engaging, original look at how you can make better choices. Reading it feels like sitting down with a wise friend to share stories about how the decisions you have been making are working for you. If it's been a while since you had one of those rambling, deep, life-changing talks with a friend, then you'll value this chance to sit quietly and connect and think.
Is it practical? This is the holidays and Shiftwork is just practical enough. It's creative and funny and it offers a gentle nudge towards solving real problems. It could make a tangible difference in how satisfied you are with the life you are making. Sit down with this slim book, a hot beverage and perhaps a nice treat and enjoy the process of making shifts in the way you think, the way you act and the results you get.
Shiftwork will be available in wide distribution in March 2013. Until then, it is exclusively available to the NLP Canada Training community. You can order a copy through the IC Publishing website or purchase a copy at an NLP Canada Training event. If you have friends who have been curious about your interest in psychology or NLP, consider buying them a copy too.
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