What is NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming)? What does the acronym NLP mean? Is it a programming language? Does it hurt, is it safe? Is it easy? There are quite alot of questions regarding the subject of Neuro Linguistic Programming. This article will provide you with some basic information about the subject, how it started and how it can be used. Self Development and Self Improvement is, perhaps one of it's chief uses today, but it started out as a means for improving the skills of psychologists practicing psychotherapy.

Neuro Linguistic Programming, or NLP for short was started in the 1970's by John Grinder and Richard Bandler. The two gentlemen charged themselves with the mission of figuring out how it was that certain therapists seemed to be so successful, while the vast majority fumbled in the dark. Drawing from the expertise of such people as Virginia Satir and her Family Therapy method, Transformational Grammar, Milton Erickson's indirect Hypnosis methods, as well as other successful communicators, Grinder and Bandler gave birth to Neuro Linguistic Programming, with the first book on the subject The Structure of Magic I.

Today NLP is used for increasing communication skills in the work place, enhancing sales and negotiation skills in business, couples therapy, allergy and phobia treatments, even in seduction strategies. NLP is also used for quitting bad habits like quitting smoking, weight loss, and also gaining new resources like getting more self confidence, or stress management.

The components in the name refer to different aspects of human behavior and physiology and how they interact to create something like software for the mind. This software can be used to create any change or affect in a human being, both positive and negatively. Neuro refers to neurology or rather how the brain functions and works, Linguistic refers to how language influences how we conceptualize and store information, and programming implies the ability to change these elements in order to achieve more fulfilling and meaningful lives.