Nick Kemp Blog

While doing some research today, I took a look at some of the promotional video clips online. I didn’t have especially high expectations having over the years been bombarded by e-mails promoting “boot camps” and other such nonsense, BUT these didn’t even meet my lowest expectations. So in the spirit of generosity I offer the following 5 tips to those individuals who are suggesting that they can assist in making others 100K per anum coaches and I won’t even charge for this advice

• When filming, use a tripod, so the video doesn’t jerk all over the place, this does not look good! If you truly have the skills to earn others thousands you should be able to afford a tripod and I enclose a link below to ease with this endeavor - http://www.jessops.com/Directory/catalogue.ashx/categoriesLT;jessops_3/categoriesLT;jessops_3_26
• Look directly at the camera, rather than rotate your head like the girl in the Exorcist! I also enclose a link for treatment that will inevitably be required by such movement that causes physical discomfort - http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk/default.aspx?m=1&mi=1
• Learn to curtail using the following terms – “I can believe I’m doing this” “psychological formula” “genius” “the only way to get this…”
• Resist sending out thousands of spam e-mails every single week making more and more exaggerated unsubstantiated claims
• If you record an audio intro to your home page, speak CLEARLY and invest in recording the clip properly at the right bit rate so you don’t sound like a darlek. The following recorder will help with this -  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-PCM-M10-handheld-digital-recorder/dp/B0030BZPKQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279181704&sr=8-1

Recently I was having a conversation with an experienced trainer who commented that in his opinion many individuals who seek help from NLP in order to be “happy” consider this approach as a quick fix that can be achieved by practicing a few techniques. He pointed out that many who immersed themselves in NLP seemed to subsequently experience all manner of financial, creative and health problems.  Some workshop attendees even start to dress like their trainers and one trainer at least has spawned a whole new generation of men wearing ponytails! Of course this is a generalization, but it does fit with my experience of watching many NLP behaviours for over a decade!

My view is that many individuals enter the world of NLP and often become somewhat star struck by “celebrity trainers” and then spend a disproportionate time attending events and failing to properly focus on their own affairs.  In some cases people attend events (either as paid delegates or assistant volunteers) for up to a quarter of the year to get their “NLP fix” and even talk about annual NLP events as being their “holidays” Nothing wrong with that, but I have noticed that many over a period of time become pretty disgruntled for the following reasons. The “myth of success” presented in NLP marketing initiates, often fails to translate into tangible success for many attendees.

As someone who has been involved in personal development for over three decades, I admire anyone who seeks to improve their skills and develop new insights.  Problems tend to occur when people individuals believe that “happiness” and “becoming rich” is a quick fix. People attend NLP and personal development events for lots of different reasons and NLP in particular is an excellent skill set, BUT in my view it’s not healthy to make any single skill set the total focus of your life! The most successful trainers all seem to have taken these basic skills to develop their own work and continually improve and upgrade their views. In contrast other individuals seek simply to emulate their original trainers and although believing this “myth of success” their reality suggests something entirely different.  The “NLP Happy Clappers” who frequent many online newsgroups usually after a period of time move on to other interests, not having the interest or application to really work on developing these initial basic skills.

Recently I read an article by a longstanding NLP trainer who had given up running NLP events as he realised just how unhappy he was and for him at least the bubble had burst. He describes himself as “an Ex NLPer” which made me smile as he obviously still regards his identity as linked to NLP, when for me NLP has always just been a set of tools, some of which are useful. However many who run NLP businesses and seek to “own NLP” in my view exhibit questionable behaviour and in some instances have all manner of health and financial problems.  NLP is a great set of skills when properly taught, but many have unrealistic expectations about these trainings. The biggest myth is that lives are changed instantly. The reality is that although people can feel different in an instant, feeling good for no reason, does not always equate to a harmonious and successful life balance.  A friend of mine attended an “enhancement” workshop many years ago that cost thousands of pounds for a few days training. I asked him about his impressions of the event. He commented “I enjoyed the experience, but couldn’t help but wonder why after one of the days’s training, the presenter totally lost it and engaged in a shouting match with his kids!”

My view is that NLP and many other approaches can be very helpful, but I advise people against “fan worship” and to realise that the co creators after all took inspiration from successful therapists, who realised the importance of application and hard work as opposed to “quick fixes” Fortunately there are NLP trainers and students who really exhibit this work ethic and the hope for the future of NLP is in their hands.

Laduree is the last word on fantastic cakes. They have spectacular food, although you really need a sweet tooth to appreciate what's on offer

There are four locations in central Paris and be warned once you taste their cakes, life will never be quite the same again...

I have been interested in great sounding Hifi for two decades and have constantly explored the very best combinations of equipment to produce great sounds. In the last fifteen years I have explored the same journey in figuring out the best guitar cables which are the strongest and weakest links in any set up. Professional musicians appreciate that everything “in the signal path” affects the overall sound and the cable from the actual guitar to the amp is perhaps the single biggest factor.

Years ago I would have thought “a cable is a cable” and “what’s the fuss?” BUT when I started to experiment with different makes and try out different makes, it became really clear that there is a massive sonic difference. As an analogy it’s in some instances it can be as different as watching standard and HD television. Some types of cable literally smother the sound and make it really muddy, while others bring out the sonic qualities. Up until recently there was one clear winner which was “George L” cable which was very different in that no soldering was involved with these cables, you just screw on the “cable plugs” and you are set to go!

A good friend of mine in recent months started talking about “Mogami cable” (see www.lavacable.com) which sounds like some African witch doctor. Initial investigations uncovered that NOBODY in the UK stocks this and I duly imported a number of lengths from the USA to try it out. I am delighted to say, this is to date the best sounding cable I have come across, really clear pristine sound.

In preparation for forthcoming events I am doing a stock take on existing products and was surprised that there are so many. In 2004 when I first me Frank there was nothing except the original book! I am especially pleased with the DVDs I have created in recent times.

Here's what's currently available

Provocative DVDs

Provocative Change Works for Phobias by Nick Kemp 2 DVD set £29.99

Provocative Change Works for Anxiety by Nick Kemp 4 DVD set £74.99

A Provocative Approach to Therapy by Frank Farrelly 6 DVD set £100

Life and Death Matters with Provocative Therapy by Frank Farrelly £29.99

How Provocative Change Works by Nick Kemp & Frank Farrelly £19.99

Provocative Therapy Live in Leeds by Frank Farrelly 3 DVD, 2 CD set £95

Therapeutic Excellence by Nick Kemp & Andrew T Austin 8 DVD set £99

Improvisation and Provocation in Therapy by Nick Kemp & Andrew T Austin 4 DVD set £65

Provocative CDs and Books

Me and God by Frank Farrelly 5 CD Audio book £35

Provocative Therapy Live in Leeds by Frank Farrelly 5 CD set £75

Life is Wet by Frank Farrelly 9 CD set £99

Me and God book by Frank Farrelly £14

These are all available in the store here - http://www.nickkemp.com/spartcart/