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Generalisations that preclude exceptions or alternative choices are in NLP Universal Quantifiers. NLP suggests that these are virtually never an accurate representation of the objective state of things. There are almost always exceptions to any rules. You use Universal quantifiers to eliminate objections and therefore, perhaps, objectivity.
When using Universal Quantifiers, you are saying, “there are no exceptions and therefore there are no choices.” Sometimes this can be useful. If you believe you will always find a way if you persevere for instance. When you hear these words, the person or yourself is showing you their beliefs. Pay attention when you use them, particularly if it is to do with a problem you’ve had for a while.
When you are asking questions to explore this pattern in more depth, be very careful about knowing whether you are gathering information or challenging their models. Because the line between information gathering and challenging perceptions here is very thin. The way to gather more information is to ask for exceptions to the Universal Quantifier. The way to challenge the person’s model is to ask for or point out to the possible exceptions to the Universal Quantifier. The difference is best managed through the use of your vocal tonality.
“I never eat rice on Tuesdays.”
When you want to gather more information, you might ask“Has there ever been a time when you did?”, or, “What purpose does that server?”, or, “What would that lead to if you did?”
When you want to challenge their model, you can ask “Never? What would happen if you never ate it on Tuesdays, either?”. Again, the difference here is best managed by having an open tonality in your questions. Instead of a tonality, which suggests their Universal Quantifier is a little silly or inaccurate. To challenge a universal quantifier is easy. Simply take it and turn it around as a question, either by itself, or with a question framed around it. Or, ask the person to seek out his or her own counter-example.As an exercise today, write down 30 NLP Universal Quantifiers and challenge them in different ways. And while you listen to conversations around you, start noticing that everyone makes them.
In NLP Universal Quantifiers are part of the higher chunk called Generalizations which is part of the Meta Model.
Remember, to increase your efficiency as a NLP Practitioner, know your positive intention for the message you want to convey, build rapport and pay attention on what and how you use language. Leave people and business in a better place that where you found them, every day!
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