How to Use Eye Accessing Cues in Neuro Linguistic Programming

The technique of neuro linguistic programming uses many specific methods to attain goals of self-improvement, particularly the goal of controlling social interaction. A major stepping stone to this objective is to learn eye accessing cues: eye positions that are said to reveal a person's sensory perception at a given moment. The learning of these cues--eyes up, down or to one side--is used to help men and women who experience anxiety during social interactions, or who simply want to improve business and communication skills with NLP.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Investigate Neuro Linguistic Programming

1. Find out more about neuro linguistic programming (NLP) from Web sites such as NLP.net (see Resources below). Having a basic understanding of NLP will help you tackle the more complicated technique of eye accessing.
2. Focus on information about eye accessing cues, what they are and what they are supposed to do. Try out some of the techniques at the "Interactive NLP Eye Accessing Cues Game" page of the NLP Practitioners Web site (see Resources below).

Learn and Use Eye Accessing Cues

3. Visit the "NLP Eye Accessing Cues" page of the Smart Driving Web site (see Resources below).
4. Perform the visualization exercises listed, jotting down the various ways in which your eyes moved.
5. Study the illustrations of eye movements and what they mean--up for the visual, center for the auditory, down right for the other senses, and down left for "self talk." Did your eye movements match the illustrations?
6. Visit the "Interactive NLP Eye Accessing Cues Game" Web page.
7. Practice moving the animated eyes to the various sensory perception positions until you can tell which is which without looking at the words.
8. Sharpen your skills as you hold a conversation with a friend. Check your accuracy directly by asking direct questions like, "Were you thinking of a visual memory just then?" Check your accuracy indirectly by brining up a visual or auditory memory and watching the person's eyes. Does your friend think primarily in visual, auditory or other terms?
9. Test your knowledge in a real social or business situation by observing the eye movements of an acquaintance or client.
10. Determine his or her preferred way of sense perception.
11. Respond to her in her preferred mode, using visual, auditory or other metaphors and expressions as you speak.
12. Notice the person's response. If you find that a rapport is developing, then eye access cues have worked for you. The more often you use these techniques, the more their use can benefit you.

Tips & Warnings

• While eye accessing cues can be picked up from books and Web sites, you might want to learn from a certified NLP practitioner in order to put this knowledge into its correct context. A session can range from moderately priced to expensive.
• No objective scientific study has proven the validity of eye accessing cues.
• For serious social and emotional problems like social anxiety or depression, seek help from a medical doctor.
• Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.

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