Although they could be confused with driving an automobile with standard transmission, today the terms “Clutch” and “Choke” are commonly used in reference to sports; however, the phenomena they represent can be applied to anyone in almost any context.

The Terminology

Wikipedia defines “choke” as a failure to perform due to anxiety. This is a form of panic attack in which the person may literally experience breathing difficulty or otherwise lose physical composure. Successful champions do not choke but are “clutch” players — rising to the occasion under pressure rather than collapsing.

“Clutch” therefore refers to a competent and/or superior play during high pressure situations. Most often it is a successful action taken under high pressure during a game usually at the end that may result in a significant change on the game’s result.

Lawyers, doctors, police — anyone has the capacity to choke under pressure. In Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) we prefer to focus on modeling behavioral excellence, and in this case we want to modify the behavior of choking to be more clutch. To start any good NLPer will begin with the simple question: How do you do that?

Degrees of Competence

Unconsciously Incompetent: This refers to a situation when you do not know that you can’t do something. An example is someone who has never even thought about speaking on stage — never having tried it, or even considered it, a person doesn’t know they can’t do it.

Consciously Incompetent: When someone tries something and learns they are unable to do it easily and effortlessly, then they become aware that they can’t do it. This is referred to being consciously aware of their inability, and to overcome this it’s simply a matter of learning and practicing.

Consciously Competent: During the process of learning a new behavior we practice and try different things (ways of doing it, ways of thinking about it, etc.). We have to consciously think of each step as we do it; it doesn’t yet flow naturally as we go through each part of the new behavior.

Unconsciously Competent: When a person can finally do a behavior without thinking about it they have become unconsciously competent at it. This means that they allow their unconscious mind to naturally take control of the process that generates the final behavior.

How to Clutch It Up Under Pressure

Scientists have studied the phenomenon of “choking” phenomenon and found it’s directly related to how the brain learns new information. When you’re first learning a skill, you learn the technique of what you’re attempting to do in a methodical, mechanical way … often in a sequential, step-by-step manner. This is what develops the skill level of conscious competence; however, the issue remains that you must consciously focus on doing the skill in order to be able to do it.

Thinking about what you’re doing requires you to utilize the full capacity of the conscious mind. In NLP we know the study by Miller and Galanter back in the 1900’s proved the capacity of the conscious mind is 7, plus or minus 2, pieces of information/steps. As you learn to follow the steps over and over (creating a pattern) it will eventually become a single, fluid behavior … done without thought. At this point you take those 7, +/- 2, steps and combine them into 1 single step.

In order to “choke” under pressure it’s simply the sudden awareness that you have to get it right or there will be negative consequences. The fear of those consequences create a sudden desire to do everything you possibly can to ensure success — which cause the brain to revert back to the technical, deliberate, awkward movements it took to learn the behavior.

Suddenly, you’re thinking through the task as a step-by-step procedure instead of just doing them in one smooth, fluid motion. With the knowledge that the conscious mind only has room for about 7 steps at a time, it means that to do the entire process requires you to do 7 steps, clear your mind and think of the next 7, then do those steps, and repeat the process of clearing and loading sets of 7, +/- 2, steps into your conscious awareness until you complete the entire behavioral pattern.

In other words, your desire to take back conscious control in order to have the power to do everything possible in order to succeed is what leads to predictable failure. In order to avoid choking, like champion athletes, you must create an extra behavior apart and separate from the skill you’re learning. That behavior must involve state management whereby you maintain a useful state that includes a sense of trust in your unconscious skills and abilities — not unlike visualization techniques that Olympic athletes do just before an event.

The Karate Kid has been remade for the new generation and is set to be released in June of 2010, starring Jackie Chan as Mr. Han — this new film’s “Mr. Miyagi.” Having viewed the trailers, however, it seems obvious that the basic premise remains the same.

For anyone unfamiliar with the original Karate Kid from 1984, Mr. Miyagi was the wise old master who taught the kid karate. Most notably, Mr. Miyagi was famous for giving the kid “chores” to do in return for teaching him to fight back against the local bullies. What wasn’t apparent at first was that the chores he was doing were actually techniques he would use in the act of self defense.

In the field of Neuro Linguistic Programming this is a very simplified (and direct) form of “Mapping.” The process of mapping in NLP is a way to transfer a skill or ability (along with the mental strategy/behavioral pattern) from one context to another. The key secret within using mapping in Mr. Miyagi’s style of teaching karate was to avoid the negative feelings one often feels in the process of learning — that sense of shame that comes with becoming consciously aware of one’s own incompetence.

As a person progresses through the learning cycle of Unconscious Incompetence to Conscious Incompetence to Conscious Competence to Unconscious Competence, many kids will experience feelings of embarrassment and low self-esteem when they first try something and find they are unable to do it as easily, as effortlessly, and as well as the teacher (or as well as other students). However, for everyone who has seen the original Karate Kid movie, you’ll remember that the kid did things like painting a fence, waxing cars, sanding a deck and painting Mr. Miyagi’s fence. The physical movements of these tasks were then mapped across to the context of martial arts in the form of karate blocks.

Now, if you broaden the definition of “behaviors” to include things such as mental and emotional states, beliefs, decision making, learning, understanding, creativity, etc. it becomes possible to map neuro linguistic patterns across almost any context. If you are unable to find creative solutions easily and effortlessly at work, but you can solve logic puzzles in internet flash games, then NLP allows you to map that mental strategy from games to work — without the need to go through the process of unconscious incompetence or conscious competence. The same applies to things like believing you can do something (i.e. confidence). Your trust and belief in your abilities can be mapped across to other situations where you know everything you need to know, but you suffer from fear of failure.

Mapping does have limits, however. The concern is that whatever you are mapping requires you to have ALL the pieces. Just because you can confidently operate a car doesn’t mean you can simply map those skills across and suddenly be able to fly a fighter jet. The key is to take something you know and apply it to things you already have the knowledge to do. In the case of Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi wasn’t teaching the kid to paint a fence; he was making sure he had the competence of painting a fence. Only then could he be certain it would map across to karate — all the movements, skills, and abilities used in working with the paint brush were identical to the movements, skills, and abilities to do that form of block in karate.

How many inherent skills do YOU have that you don’t even realize yet? What else do you think you could accomplish if you figured out the skills you already have, and applied them to something new? The process of figuring out HOW you do things, as well as how to use them in other situations, is a large part of any good NLP Practitioner training program.

Perhaps it’s possible… you may already know how to catch a fly with chopsticks.

Have you ever wondered what Neuro Linguistic Programming is and what is can offer you in the way of advantages and opportunities? Well… wonder no more! Soaring Success now offers a free 5-day introductory e-mail program for people who are interested in finding out more about NLP and what it can mean to them if they decide to take a full practitioner certification training.

To sign-up, simply go to:

www.SoaringSuccess.ca/Webstore/Free-5-Day-e-Intro-to-NLP/

Registration has now opened for the NLP Practitioner Certification Training program set to start in February 2010!

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) has been described as a modern branch of psychology. More specifically it’s a behavioral science comprised of the most advanced study of human behavior and how it’s structured in the mind. This deeper understanding of how people think and behave has numerous applications in healthcare, education, communication, business management, marketing and sales.

Student Testimonials:

“You are a truly gifted teacher. I’m so happy that I trusted my instincts and knew that NLP was something I needed to do. Your humour, charisma, confidence, intellect, passion, and devotion to your craft is truly inspiring.” – Nicki Blachford, NLP Practitioner Certification Graduate.

“You are a brilliant teacher and communicator! Your style is unique, inviting and non-assuming. You have a generous spirit and have the gift of bring out the best in others. Your encouragement is invaluable. There is a quality of openness and acceptance about you that creates a safe and respectful space for all. Thank you for being an inspiration!!!” – Annie Hopper, NLP Practitioner Certification Graduate.

“Daniel, you have been a wonderful teacher and mentor. You make these skills look so easy! Thank you for your kind words and words of encouragement. You listened to and acknowledged all of our questions and concerns… Thanks for making this course so fun!” – Tracey Johns, NLP Practitioner Certification Graduate.

“Daniel… Your teaching style is wonderfully approachable, inclusive and engaging. From your playful “Boo-Ya” and “Shweet” to your intricate and spellbinding metaphors you had my rapt attention.” – Lisa Jellison, NLP Practitioner Certification Graduate.

Dates and Times:

1. Module I
   • Saturday & Sunday, February 20 & 21, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
   • Saturday & Sunday, March 6 & 7, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
   • Saturday, March 20, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
2. Module II
   • Sunday, March 21, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
   • Saturday & Sunday, April 3 & 4, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
   • Saturday & Sunday, April 17 & 18, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
3. Module III
   • Saturday & Sunday, May 1 & 2, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
   • Saturday & Sunday, May 15 & 16, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
   • Saturday, May 29, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm
4. Testing
   • Sunday, May 30, 2010, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Module I: Training Outcomes
This first module will provide the background and foundational base of NLP. You learn how the human mind filters and stores information and ideas, how thoughts are formulated, and how belief structures are created. Topics will include the understanding and application of the principles behind the Metaphysical Laws of Attraction as well as some advanced interpersonal communication skills.

Module II: Training Outcomes (Pre-requisite: Module I)
The second training module will look at the pieces that make up thought structure within the ‘Mind.’ You will learn the process of how to use naturally occurring language patterns to identify, utilize and shift behaviors at both the conscious level and the unconscious level. Concepts and practice of conversational hypnosis will introduce you to the idea of trance and uses for a trance state.

Module III: Training Outcomes (Pre-requisite: Module II)
This final module in the practitioner program is focused on contextualizing and framing language patterns and how behaviors are anchored to personal triggers. You will be trained in ways of connecting with a person’s unconscious mind in order to bring out their deeper resources, and how to access and work with their inner structure of time. Ways of applying NLP beyond psychoanalysis will also be discussed.

Your Total Investment:
The Total Investment is for the complete Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner Certification Program is $2,025.00, which includes ALL 3 Modules (individually each module costs $675.00). Fee Includes:

• 120 hours of training
• Extensive handouts
• Countless exercises
• Applicable tools and techniques
• Complete written and practical testing
• Continued on-going personal and professional support after you return home
• An internationally recognized certificate showing your designation as an Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner

Easy Payment Plan Options:
You have the choice of one full payment or the option of dividing your payment into (Note: first payment due upon registration and then every 30 days for the remainder of the plan):

• 3 payments of $675.00, or
• 6 payments of $337.50, or
• 9 payments of $225.00, or
• 1st payment of $210.00, followed by 11 payments of $165.00

For complete information go to:

http://www.soaringsuccess.ca/career-training/nlp-career-training/nlp-practitioner-certification-program/

Once again I must send out my deepest thanks to the wonderful Catherine Mattice who recently posted a new, exclusive article explaining how to program healthy communication habits of today for situations of verbal conflict tomorrow using techniques of NLP. (You can find it on both her website and her blog!)

For anyone who doesn’t know yet, Catherine Mattice is the expert on workplace bullying who wrote the foreword for my new book: Verbal Self Defense in The Workplace: Proven Psychological Secrets to Help You Beat The Office Bully

I strongly recommend that everybody interested in putting a stop to workplace bullying check out her blog and consulting company …

NoWorkplaceBullies.blogspot.com

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NoWorkplaceBullies.com

Thank you Catherine.