Unlock Your Potential: Harness the Power of Personal Anchors

Anchors are powerful tools in the world of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) that can help you access resourceful states, such as those experienced during hypnosis or meditation. 

By creating a personal anchor, you can intentionally recall and utilize these resourceful states when facing challenges in your daily life. Today, I want to share the different types of anchors and guide you through an exercise to create one for yourself.

Understanding Anchors

Anchors are stimuli that trigger specific responses or states in our minds. They can be created through association, where a specific stimulus becomes linked to a particular state or emotion. Anchors can be formed organically over time or intentionally created through NLP techniques. A natural anchor could be formed from your partner reaching across the table and touching your forearm on your first date while you’re laughing and having a great time getting to know each other. This heightened state paired with the physical sensation of being touched on your arm in a place that is not normally stimulated creates a powerful anchor that can continually bring you back to that memory, and a positive state, when your arm is touched there again. An intentional anchor in NLP is using visualization practices and hypnosis to bring yourself to that heightened state then creating your own anchor by choosing a sensation to match that state that is easy to recall at any time. 

For example; I created a positive anchor to my vision of personal success with my thumb and middle finger of my right hand that instantly brings up an image of me standing barefoot on the beach in a beautiful white flowy dress gazing out at a dewy pink and purple sunset holding my beautiful baby in my arms while my (obviously gorgeous) husband and my little daughter walk towards me on the sand, his hand holding her tiny fingers as she makes her way to us beaming with light. This vision represents family, love, peace, and beauty to me. I conjure it up whenever I’m feeling off course with the business or with myself and remember what I’m working towards in life. It’s allowed me to call in Isaiah, move to the beach in Encinitas, CA where we live now, and bring our beautiful daughter into the world. Anchors are powerful practices!

Let’s get into the ways in which you can do this for your own evolution.

Types of Anchors

There are several types of anchors, each associated with different senses:

Visual Anchors: These are created by associating a specific image or visual cue with a desired state.

Auditory Anchors: These involve connecting a particular sound, music, or spoken phrase with a specific state.

Kinesthetic Anchors: These are established by linking a physical sensation, touch, or movement to a desired state.

Olfactory Anchors: These involve connecting a specific smell with a particular state.

Gustatory Anchors: These are created by associating a particular taste with a specific state.

Creating Your Personal Anchor: A Step-by-Step Exercise

Here's a simple exercise to create a personal kinesthetic anchor:

Step 1: Identify Your Resourceful State

Think about a specific resourceful state you'd like to access more easily, such as confidence, motivation, or calmness.

Step 2: Recall a Powerful Past Experience

Recall a past experience when you felt this resourceful state strongly. Engage all your senses and fully immerse yourself in the memory.

Step 3: Choose Your Anchor

Select a simple physical touch or movement that you can use as your kinesthetic anchor. This could be pressing your thumb and index finger together or touching your wrist. Make sure it's unique and easy to perform.

Step 4: Set Your Anchor

As you fully experience your resourceful state, perform the chosen physical touch or movement. Hold it for a few seconds, then release. Repeat this process several times to strengthen the association between your anchor and the desired state.

Step 5: Test Your Anchor

Once you've set your anchor, take a few deep breaths and let go of the resourceful state. Then, activate your anchor by performing the chosen touch or movement. Notice if the desired state returns or intensifies.

Using Your Personal Anchor

Now that you've created your personal anchor, you can use it whenever you need to access your resourceful state. Simply activate the anchor by performing the chosen touch or movement, and allow the desired state to emerge.

In conclusion, creating a personal anchor can help you access resourceful states, empowering you to face challenges and overcome obstacles with ease. By incorporating this NLP technique into your mental fitness routine, you'll be better equipped to navigate life's ups and downs.

Thank you for showing up for yourself today. Your dedication to daily practice and mental fitness has a positive impact not only on your life but on the lives of all of those around you. Continue your beautiful journey of self-growth in the Self by Design Community where we have many other video exercises like this one, tons of guided meditations, and a supportive community.

P.S Are you looking for personalized 1:1 support? Whether it's around mindful parenting, conscious relationships, business, or simply, life in general, an expertly-trained Self by Design Coach is ready to support you. Book your private coaching call here.

Much love,

Nicole