As an NLP therapist I need to keep my own ‘beliefs’, ‘values’ and opinions separate and out of the way of my clients’, so that I don’t inhibit their solutions. Also so their ‘beliefs’ and ‘values’ don’t compromise mine. My ‘beliefs’ and ‘values’ are intrinsically part of me so to keep the separation I have created “a space for possibility”.
Based on ‘A strategy for receiving criticism’ this is a space out here. (gestures up and to the right to a space just beyond arm’s length, slightly to the right and just above eye level). I found this to be a really useful and safe place to put my client’s beliefs and values, so I could see them, and access them, without having to absorb them or own them. This ‘space’ can accommodate as much or as little as is presented to me. It is a non-judgemental area, free from my own current perspective. At the end of a session with a client I can review this space and absorb anything useful for me whilst happily deleting all the stuff that has no value for me.
In working with this I have found another use for this space as part of my learning strategy.
I am aware that what I already know will always assess all new information presented to me, and may throw out any useful ‘nuggets’ if too much or even any, of what I hear conflicts with my current understanding. To give myself a chance to pick up everything useful and to ‘honour’ my current experience I place new information in my  “ space for possibility”. Because this space is outside of me I can allow anything into it. I have plenty of time to compare the new information with my current understanding and to accept or amend what I now know. This comparison incidentally also happens out front! My current understanding is placed in a similar space but up and to my left! I can access both spaces and make useful comparisons and changes and then try them on before accepting any new change.
I have been asked some “modelling” questions about this and if you would like to know what those questions were and read my answers then send me an email and I’ll send you a link to another page. Email Nigel.