Introduction To NLP Anchoring

Yes, you can create your own NLP anchors. That is one of the good things about being such an automaton; you can actually program yourself in a positive way.

You can create a large variety of anchors. NLP anchoring can be visual, auditory, kinesthetic, gustatory and olfactory. In other words, NLP Anchoring can be based on sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.

Basic Steps of NLP Anchoring

1. Decide which state you want to create an anchor for.
2. Think deeply of a time in your life when you experienced that state. If you have never experienced it, think deeply of someone who has. I did this exercise once with someone who wanted to anchor the state of “humor” but had no reference experience of humor in his past to access. We ended up using the cartoon character “Bugs Bunny” (which he was a big fan of) to help him access the state of humor.
3. Once you have a strong sense of the state for which you want an anchor, begin NLP anchoring by connecting it to a sensation.
4. Once the anchor has been created, you should end up with your desired state every time you fire it. Firing an anchor means activating it. You can do this by visualizing, hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling the anchor depending on what NLP anchoring type you created.

Different Types of NLP Anchoring

Visual NLP anchoring: Visualize a symbol, a scene, a picture or face that embodies the desired state. Whatever you are visualizing can be in the format of a movie or still pictures. Both work.
Auditory NLP anchoring: Internally create music to go along with your desired state. Think of the museums exercise in chapter 4, where you played a silly tune along with your negative memory from the past. The silly tune was an anchor for a state of humor. You attached it to the bad memory (a negative anchor in itself) in order to change the resulting state to a less gloomy one. Go ahead and choose any music or sound to produce states of courage, kindness, calmness, focus, excitement, etc.
Kinesthetic NLP anchoring: Press your thumb and index finger together until you have a sensation of pressure. Any other physical movement that produces a sensation detectable by your skin can be used as kinesthetic anchor. Usually people use their fingers or hands in a pressing/squeezing way, simply because it is most practical and works well.
Gustatory NLP anchoring: Create a sensation of tasting something while being in your desired state (e.g. eat or drink something). I have never heard of anybody actively creating gustatory anchors for the purpose of anchoring a state, but it is definitely possible!
Olfactory NLP anchoring: Use a scent to anchor a state by smelling a distinct fragrance when being in your desired state. Inhale the fresh air in a forest while internally focusing on your desired state, for example.
Combined NLP anchoring: You can create an anchor that is a movie with sound, touch, taste, and smell. There are no limits to what kind of anchors you can create!

Conclusion

NLP anchoring can be your friend or enemy. For better or for worse, anchors will always be part of our lives. They are part of being human. The key is to become aware of them, so that we have a choice before we are thrown into a state and the accompanying behaviors. Knowing your anchors allows you to live more consciously and confidently. Wisely NLP anchoring is a giant step towards creating the life you dream of.