Introduction to John Overdurf and the Meta Pattern

John Overdurf is a renowned trainer and coach in the field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). He is well-known for his innovative approaches to personal development and communication skills. One of his significant contributions to NLP is the Meta Pattern, a fundamental framework that helps individuals understand and change their thought patterns for better outcomes.

Understanding the Meta Pattern in NLP

The Meta Pattern is a core concept in NLP that outlines the universal steps our brains follow when processing experiences and making decisions. It serves as a blueprint for how we can shift from unhelpful mental states to more resourceful ones. By recognizing this pattern, individuals can learn to interrupt negative thought cycles and replace them with positive ones.

John Overdurf
Meta Pattern

Kirsten and I thought you might enjoy this one. It is a nicely capsulized summary of the meta pattern of all classic NLP patterns. You can listen to it here.

That’s right. There is one fundamental pattern that runs through all NLP change techniques. You can also think of this as the structure of effective change – going well beyond the fields of coaching or therapy.

You can easily apply this model to sales, consulting and training, essentially whenever you’re wanting to create some sort of transformation of the present state of the listener into something more resourceful.

Discovering this pattern happened in the early 90’s when I was teaching in Hawaii, doing mostly advanced linguistics in Master Practitioner. I then realized it was not just a great roadmap for how to structure linguistic nterventions but as far as I could tell it was the pattern that ran through all the classic change patterns taught in NLP. It was then later taught in the early Beyond Words trainings that Julie and I taught.

it is now a thread that runs through everything I teach from HNLP, to Attention-Shifting Coaching to LInguistic Alchemy Hypnosis, you name it.

Why? Because it is just four steps or phases – it’s easy to remember! If the coaching or therapy process is not working it is easy to determine which one of the phases was not fulfilled well enough.

When you know these four phases, it’s easy to create your own change patterns whether they are more lingustically-oriented, non-verbal or, in most cases of what I do, a purposeful combination of both.

For MANY years I only taught this explicitly in Master Practitioner Trainings or advanced linguistic trainings like Beyond Words, but you’re going to get it now in a straightforward, simple way that will be easy to digest and use.

This 13 minute excerpt was taken from a recent corporate leadership training in Denmark. While participants were leaders they were also wanting basic coaching skills, so I was presenting this as a part of three days on the basics of the HNLP Coaching Beyond Goals Model. It is the first day and I’m teaching it right out of the gate- before the first break.

If you are a trainer you will notice use of NLP in the presentation and teaching. This was a new group, so I was doing the types of things I teach at “Hypnotically Presenting… Yourself”: warming-up the group and formatting the unconscious minds of the students for an optimal training experience.

To give you a little inside track here, since I know the coaching model I was teaching depends on the ability of the coach to be flexible enough to provoke states in the client, I wanted to do the same for the trainees. I think you’ll be able to recognize when it’s happening even if you’re not exactly sure all of what I am doing to achieve the result. : )

How John Overdurf’s Meta Pattern Works

John Overdurf’s Meta Pattern involves several key steps:

1. Awareness: Becoming conscious of your current state or problem.
2. Interruption: Breaking the existing unhelpful pattern.
3. Direction: Focusing on what you want instead of what you don’t want.
4. Action: Implementing new behaviors that lead toward your desired outcome.

By following these steps, you can effectively rewire your thought processes to achieve personal and professional goals.

Applications of John Overdurf’s Meta Pattern in Personal Development

The Meta Pattern can be applied in various areas of life:

• Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: Replace negative self-talk with empowering thoughts.
• Enhancing Communication: Improve interactions by understanding others’ thought patterns.
• Stress Management: Shift from stress-inducing thoughts to calming ones.
• Goal Achievement: Stay focused on objectives by redirecting your mental focus.

Benefits of Using John Overdurf’s Meta Pattern

Utilizing the Meta Pattern offers numerous advantages:

• Improved Mental Clarity: Clear away confusing thoughts.
• Emotional Balance: Gain better control over your emotions.
• Enhanced Decision-Making: Make choices aligned with your true desires.
• Personal Growth: Accelerate your development by overcoming internal barriers.

Learning More About John Overdurf’s Meta Pattern

To delve deeper into John Overdurf’s Meta Pattern, consider the following steps:

• Read Books and Articles: Explore his published works on NLP and the Meta Pattern.
• Attend Workshops: Participate in training sessions conducted by John Overdurf or certified trainers.
• Online Courses: Enroll in online programs that cover the Meta Pattern in detail.
• Practice Regularly: Apply the concepts in daily life to experience tangible benefits.

By engaging with these resources, you can harness the power of the Meta Pattern to transform your life.