MetaSmile Blog

Sex, diets and success. You can have it all – except the weight of course.

Okay we get it! We are responsible for our own lives. We are the authors of our story. I am responsible for whatever happens in my life. That’s the message the self-help industry has been drilling into our brains for decades.

Is it any surprise that so many people feel depressed and report feelings of self-loathing? “I should have been able to do something about this, but I haven’t. So there is clearly something seriously the matter with me.” It’s even worse when someone has had success in a number of areas. “Why can’t I just conquer this problem when I’ve dealt with even harder issues? I’m a failure.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, for example, between 20 - 40 percent of adults are trying to lose weight and the most predictable reaction are feelings of blame or shame.

This logic is invisible to the eye, inaudible to the ear, and yet the feelings of guilt and “it’s my fault” are there in the pit of the stomach. As soon as someone accepts the belief that everything is within their power, the logical conclusion is that they are to blame when there is something they haven’t overcome. And who doesn’t have unsolved problems in their life?

Maybe we have been sold a bill of goods. And this belief that we have failed at doing what every human being ought to be able to do, is exploited every day.

The Merchants of Success have the formula!

The Merchants of Success know we feel guilty about our failures. They use this to tempt us with seductive language and promises. And they know the formula that works:

1. The Hook

First they talk about possibilities, the sky’s the limit, think of all the ways you could benefit if you…..   . . .to get you to imagine what life could be “if only”. They use what is called Options language. This language puts people into a creative, imaginative mindset where you can visualize any possibility and even begin to believe it. This is where you start to see your own private yacht.

2. Line

Second, they propose a solution and make it sound easy. In fact, the solution often does it for you. You don’t need to take any initiative. Just sit back and let the money roll in. “This special vibrating belt will melt the pounds away.”

3. Sinker

Lastly come the testimonials. They show you how people just like you (or even better – complete losers) have turned their life around. If they can do it, so can you.

If they have hooked you in an area about which you are sensitive, you get so excited at finally being given the solution, you sign up. Who can resist? Not me. Personally, I have spent thousands on lose weight programs, since weight management has often been a challenge for me – and one about which I’ve felt guilty. Others spend a fortune on get-rich-quick schemes.

The Letdown

Once a person has signed on, they are given lots of information. The first challenge is to make  sense of everything. As you make your way through the process, you are still enthusiastic, especially when you see the Merchants of Success have worked out all the details. “Yes, it’s  true, all you have to do is follow the proven formula and it can all be yours.”

The problem is that actually following the system is as exciting as cleaning your room was when you were a kid. The only way to succeed is to relentlessly follow the detailed step-by-step  procedure laid out. They will give encouragement along the way to make you believe it’s easy: “All you have to do is follow the easy steps.”

Unfortunately, you signed up because they got you into the Options mode, feeling inspired by all the possibilities. You are not in a Procedures mode where you would enjoy following  through, completing and finishing each step before starting the next. The Options way of thinking is diametrically opposed to the Procedures way of thinking.

But the Merchants of Success are so congruent and believable. Because they succeeded  themselves, they believe anyone should be able to do it. What’s good for me is good for you.

I have learned from my own experience that even knowing the Merchants of Success sales formula will not protect you. The call is irresistible with their “Options-imagine the possibilities”  language, but the only way to succeed is by getting into Procedures mode. Most people  attracted to the call will fail because they can’t follow the procedure, and then, having  subscribed to the “you can do anything” belief, they will blame themselves and feel guilty. Then  the Merchants can sell them the next miracle cure.

You don’t have to choose between being hoodwinked by Merchants of Success and doing nothing with your life or stopping learning. It is possible to learn from others who help you to master important skills and improve how you live your life. I call these teachers “Partners in Progress” because they operate as a partner who helps you grow.

How you can tell the difference

between Merchants of Success and Partners in Progress?

1) Marketing Focus
Merchants of Success: End Result
Partners in Progress: Ends and Means

2) Your Effort
Merchants of Success: Little to no effort; Gap between now & goal not clarified
Partners in Progress: Realistic Evaluation of Effort; Transparent gap between Present & Future

3) Time Frame
Merchants of Success: Implied quick, instantaneous
Partners in Progress: Over time, realistic

4) Sales Language
Merchants of Success: Options, Possibilities; "the sky's the limit!"
Partners in Progress: Options & Procedures; Possibilities & How

5) Source of Motivation
Merchants of Success: External motivation & reinforcement
Partners in Progress: Develop Internal motivation

6) Adapted to the Individual
Merchants of Success: One size fits all
Partners in Progress: Different strokes for different folks

7) Chances of Succeeding
Merchants of Success: Naïve fantasy, few if any
Partners in Progress: Positive realism, Many reach individual goals

8) Likely Results
Merchants of Success: Temporary fix,  "yo-yo effect"
Partners in Progress: Lasting results

9) Relationsship
Merchants of Success: Guru, Rescuer; rigid hierarchy
Partners in Progress: Partner, Coach with clearly defined roles

10) Learnings
Merchants of Success: Simple formulas
Partners in Progress: Personal insights

There are no limits to the things you can read, listen to, watch or attend. How will you decide what you want to learn next?

Literatur

Als Ergänzung zu diesem Text finden Sie hier eine kurze Einführung in die NLP Metaprogramme.