June 2013

The People Who Learn at NLPCT:
Curious, Courageous and Cool

Dr. Linda Ferguson

In This Issue

Summer Evenings

NLP Summer Intensives

Mastering NLP

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What are you planning for your summer holidays this year? By the end of the summer, I will have spent time at two very different beaches. Last month I was in Varadero, Cuba and in August I will be at Brackley Beach, PEI. Both beaches allow me to reflect, breathe and find myself in a way that is much harder in Toronto.

When I am working this summer, I will be training two intensive NLP courses. For me, it means 8 consecutive days being thoroughly engaged in leading. Its work that focuses and energizes me. I am amazed at my students: the determination to grow, the courage to take on difficult issues, the curiosity about their own lives. I come out of the training physically tired and ready to be an introvert for a few days. I also come out eager for the next experience to begin.

This drives all the days I spend speaking and writing and coaching. And I will be doing lots of that this summer. My new book should be out by September, along with a relaunch of Shiftwork. Writing and editing the books is also a process for creating and fine-tuning my training process. I can't wait to share the results I am already noticing.

Are you this excited about your work? If you are, come and play with people who believe work should be engaging and life should be satisfying. If you are not, come and play and uncover new possibilities.

I hope to see you soon,

Linda Ferguson, Ph.D.
Senior Partner

Feel Like Socializing?

Summer Evenings at NLP Canada Training

Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 47 Queen's Park Cres. E., Toronto, ON. Please RSVP so we know you plan to attend. Call Carole at 416-928-2394.

Coaching Clinics, Tuesday Evenings, June 4, 11, and 18, 7:30pm to 9:30pm
These evenings allow new people to experience NLP and how it helps them with particular issues or goals. They also allow NLP practitioners to practice and to learn from demonstrations and discussion. Linda does a little magic; other trainers and Masters add their perceptions and approaches and everyone goes home feeling a little more capable of knowing what they want and making it happen. Please drop in.

If you are a coach or practitioner and find evenings difficult, please email me and ask me to schedule drop-in practice during the week.

Goals, Direction & Purpose: What Works for You? Wednesday July 3, 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Many people choose NLP precisely because they have a goal they want to be sure they will achieve. Many others like exploration and change management, but find themselves stumped when it comes to setting goals in a way that feels right and true. Come explore what you believe about setting goals, what has worked for you in the past, and how to set goals that will enrich your life and experience even before you achieve them. This is a great chance to discover what makes training with NLP Canada Training special and uniquely effective.

Later in July: Watch for news of summer evenings for learning how to start and finish your stories. There's nothing nicer than a good story on a long, light evening.

Should You Take the NLP Certification This Summer?

Many of the people who study NLP with us tell us that they will apply it with their clients and colleagues. They are managers, entrepreneurs, coaches, trainers, sales professionals and leaders and they want their influence to be predictable and positive. All of the people who study NLP with us also want to know more about themselves and the way they make choices and connections. They want to know how to deal with the past, be active in the present, and look forward to the future. They are willing to own their stuff and are committed to finding the best ways to do that.

Are you the kind of person who would love training with us? Here's a checklist to help you decide:

You want to know more about yourself
You believe in growth and getting better at everything you do
There's a problem or puzzle you want to solve and you're looking for ways to do it
There's a context or a relationship where you would like to connect better
You like to laugh

If you agreed with three or more of the statements above, there's a very good chance you are the kind of person who loves training at NLP Canada Training. July courses run July 8-13 (Practitioners) or July 7-14 (Master Practitioners). August courses run August 3-8 (Practitioners) or August 2-9 (Master Practitioners). We offer specials for practitioners trained at other schools, post-secondary students, and couples who would like to register together. NLP Practitioner and Master Practitioner courses are eligible for a tuition tax certificate.

Call Linda at 289-242-5089 to ask questions or call Carole at 416-928-2394 to arrange your registration.

Need a place to stay? If you don't mind roughing it, try St. Michael's College Conference services. You can stay in a residence right across the street from your training. If you like a little more privacy (and comfort) I recommend the Downtown Home Inn Bed and Breakfast (a 10 minute walk east of our office). And several people had great experiences with AirBnB last year (a service that allows you to rent a room or an apartment for the week).

Do You Read in the Summer?

Many people find that long summer days, with or without holidays, are a great time for some reading. I read all the time, and I read more in the summer. During my week in Cuba, I read four books (two novels and two others).

Here's what I recommend for you. Your top priority should be to feed yourself some useful metaphors. Find a novel or short story that draws you in and allows you to have an experience so real you will remember the places and people long after you close the book. If you really don't read fiction, find a biography or narrative history. Read a great story.

After you've fed your mind a story or two, consider a book that will sharpen your thinking. Recently, I have enjoyed Decisive and To Sell is Human. If you missed Future Perfect last fall, this is a good time to pick it up. All these books fill needs identified by NLP: they will offer you a connection with a good storyteller, useful metaphors, and practice in optimism. The content is helpful too.

One more recommendation. I don't often recommend NLP books because many of them only work if you've already taken the training and "get" the terminology. However, I am reading a short e-book that's a really great way for people to get started with the stuff that drives NLP technique. It's by Andy Smith, a trainer I respect, and it's a good read. You can find Practical NLP at Amazon.

What's Your Next Step? Mastering NLP

There are really just two good reasons for taking a master practitioner training at NLP Canada Training.

The first is that you want to raise your game. What that means is that whether you are working on your parenting or your executive leadership, your coaching or your sales, you are already really good and you are determined to keep getting better. NLP addresses fundamental processes for learning, change and communication: they apply no matter what the "game" you want to improve. When you train with Linda, you learn the best of NLP in the context of the best thinking available. You know that Linda is always working on her own game: she invites lots of feedback from trainers and masters, takes courses, and reads continuously. Her study deepens her practice of NLP and helps her provide her clients with evidence and confidence in applying NLP to raising their game.

The second reason to take a master practitioner training is that Linda is a relentless, resourceful coach and teacher. She is smart, compassionate, creative and committed to making sure every Master Practitioner she trains is at a level that makes the whole community better at NLPCT. Do you want ongoing support as you develop, ongoing practice of your skills, and ongoing development that connects all the dots? As a Master Prac, you'll watch Linda demonstrating and wonder "how did she know to go there?" Then she'll show you, systematically and with practice. Soon you'll be wondering "how did I know I could go there?" You will be getting results so quickly, it will take your conscious mind a little while to catch up with your skill level.

The Master Practitioner runs 8 consecutive days, overlapping a practitioner training. We run Sunday through Sunday from July 7-14 and Friday through Friday from August 2-9. You must be a certified practitioner of NLP to register, but practitioners who have certified at other NLP schools are more than welcome. Please call Linda directly at 289-242-5089 to learn more.

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