It's the season when fresh starts seems possible. We look at flowers and green buds and think: "that's what I want. A fresh start."

In 5 minutes, you'll understand metaphor than you ever understood it in high school. Metaphor isn't just a concept from literature: it's the language of full engagement, the language that uses the most of your brain and reaches out to activate the most of someone else's brain/body/mind system. Using it better consciously takes a little time. It's like making change in the way you walk or pronounce words or breathe. You use metaphor so naturally, it's hard to change. The rewards for changing make it worth the effort. You'll become better at understanding your own thinking and changing other people's.

Celebrations are fun - but are they important? Listen to find out why celebration is one of the most important choices we make as human beings. Anyone will pay attention and remember times of threat or suffering. We have to consciously make an effort to pay equal attention to times of achievement and satisfaction. When we do, we store the light we need in dark times.

Many NLP trainers will talk about powerful anchors. An anchor is an object or physical sensation that is connected to a particular state or experience. 

Maybe you're stuck. You've been hurt or disappointed and you don't know what to do next. You're reaching for something you can't quite define. You're doing well, but you've hit the edge of your interest and there's no clear path ahead.  

Sometimes it's hard to feel thankful on cue. You might know that mindful gratitude is a wonderful attitude that leads to all kinds of benefits. It does, but how do you get there? For many people, thanksgiving holidays are a reminder that they are alone, or that their families are nuts, or that they have way too much to do. You might be stressed or insecure or tired. What's the best way to put all that aside and notice that you are already thankful? What's the best way to get from grumpy to glad?

I'd really love you to be part of our symposium in Toronto on October 17. But even if you can't, this introduction will get you thinking differently about how our monkey minds resist the clarity of language, and how we sometimes achieve the miracle of communication anyway. Leading Words is going to be a day that transforms the way people think about time, energy, words and a life well-lived. You'll meet interesting people, share stories of courage and creativity, and engage in conversations that mean something. October 17, Toronto, Ontario, http://bit.ly/leadingwords

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you know the right thing when you hear it or do you just know it?  Understanding your personality might be less helpful than understanding how all human brain/mind/body systems are wired. 

Welcome back after a summer break. Today's episode is about how to get more control: control of yourself, control of your situation, control of what other people will do or notice.

It's a well-known saying in NLP: "difference is the difference that makes a difference." Learn how connecting with a diverse group of people can help you to see the new information that will make a difference in solving your problem. You need a safe space, a shared interest and a group of people committed to holding their own perspectives and integrity.