How do I start an NLP coaching session? This actually starts before I am even seeing or talking to my client.
Step 1: What information do I have prior to the NLP coaching session?
I go over any information or notes I may have, whether they are my notes from a previous session, any information I personally know about the client, or googling the client’s place of work (especially in NLP coaching for business.) I make notes about these; these are are not long pieces of text, as that becomes a pain. These are often small notes that I can easily access during the coaching.
Step 2: Research
If required I google, youtube, research information, or read an article on the topic. I usually don’t make notes on this piece, but may study and memorize. I may print out some materials. In all honesty I tend to not use it, but it is helpful knowing that I could quickly glance at it if I wish to.
Step 3: Preparing the design, notes and information
This is when I start designing the NLP coaching session. Sometimes I use one of the known NLP patterns, other times I design, or I decide to do information gathering. And if it is information gathering, what is it that I wish to focus on? I write down what I need to have access to in as little notes as possible, then I rehearse in my mind. It is actually study, where the “test” would be the NLP coaching session. I need to have the information ready to fire. I also print out any materials that I may need, like a list of questions I am going to ask. Sometimes this might be a piece out of the training manual.
Step 4: Prepare for the unexpected
An NLP coaching session often goes into an unexpected or different direction. I may go over step 1-3 based on where the session “possibly” could go towards.
Step 5: Taking care of physical and other needs
I then take care of my physical needs: I eat, a quick meditation in a New York minute, and go to the bathroom. I tend to have already cleared off my desk well before then, but if there are still things there that are an anchor to other clients or other work, I make sure that this is put away. If I do a Skype session, and I doubt the reliability of my connection, sound, or video, I make sure that is checked and sorted.
Step 6: Stepping into my coaching self
I would say out of all the steps, this is the most important one of all. This is true no matter how well prepared I am. Good coaching, no matter how skilled you are, falls or stands on your emotional state going into the session. Not just that I need to be able to communicate from a place of balance and well being, but as I build rapport with my clients (consciously or unconsciously,) I know I may pace and lead. Pacing and leading a client comes automatically with rapport, where I lead them in a similar state as I am in.
For more information about step 6, watch this video below.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/ltB5a-ZJ-k0[/youtube]
Do you have any questions about any of these steps, so you can more adequately prepare for your next NLP coaching session?
