NLP-Podcast 65: Merging Anchors

Have you ever been stuck in an elevator and since then avoided every lift, only using stairs? Or perhaps you were hit or insulted as a child, or your partner may have left you, and many things in your apartment remind you of the painful separation? With this NLP format "Merging Anchors," you can transform this negative feeling into a positive one.

Merging Anchors

The format of merging anchors, also known as collapsing anchors, is a foundational NLP format that helps you dissolve negative anchors. What exactly an anchor is, you can read more about in our Podcast episode No. 06 or also on our website in more detail. Another practical everyday example could be that there are people who get a bad feeling as soon as the alarm clock rings in the morning because they might not feel like going to work. For many people, a visit to the dentist or the sound of the drill is a negative anchor. For others, an exam or a presentation is a negative anchor because something went wrong in the past.
Perhaps you also have such a negative experience that instills fear in you or triggers a very uncomfortable feeling. Then I invite you to listen to this podcast episode completely and also participate right away so that you can transform this negative feeling into something positive. Have fun!

Here are the steps briefly explained, if I were to do this format with you as a client:
First, I ask you to describe a negative anchor. Then I perform the ecology check and clarify if there is anything against getting rid of this negative anchor. Only then does the intervention begin:

1. Then I would ask you to remember this uncomfortable situation, with all your senses. In the podcast, Stephan Landsiedel guides you precisely through the format.
   At the peak of the negative emotion, I set a physical anchor by either touching the knee or a previously agreed spot for about 30 seconds.
2. Separator- then I distract you with something trivial from this negative feeling to get you out of the situation. For example, I might ask you what you had for breakfast
3. Testing the anchor means I place my hand on the knee and test whether the negative feeling is immediately back. I can see this from the facial expression or the body reaction
4. Finding the positive resource. Now think about what you can use to feel better in the future with this negative situation? For example, self-confidence or love,… Remember a situation where you had a lot of this positive resource. At the peak, I then set the positive anchor with the other hand, for example on the other knee.
5. Separator
6. testing the positive anchor
7. Then I ask you as a client to close your eyes again and place my hand on the knee with the positive anchor while stating some positive suggestions. In the podcast, Stephan explains this very precisely. After that, the negative anchor is added under further hypnotic language patterns. Then the positive anchor is also released.
8. Test or also Future Pace with the question: “What is it like when you think about the negative situation now?

It is incredible that this small application has already helped so many people transform negative situations into positive ones. That some people finally dare to take the elevator or drive a car or give a speech or overcome various other fears.

If you also want to dissolve your negative anchors live, we are really looking forward to you. Just visit one of our free NLP practice groups, or our affordable “NLP in a Week original” or Landsiedel NLP Practitioner Training