NLP Book Review: Using your Brain for a Change by Richard Bandler

Chris Harrison
2nd March 2007
Go to comments

There are only three books that I own, that I will never lend out, "Using your Brain for a Change", "Transformations", and "Prometheus Rising" by Robert Anton Wilson, which I may review later if I can somehow link it to NLP.

Video review of "Using Your Brain for a Change"

When people express an interest in NLP I always recommend this book as the best place to start.

Richard Bandler's 'Using Your Brain for a Change' covers working on your own brain - a subject that is just not covered as well anywhere else.

The book covers submodalities, motivation, strategies, confusion and basically taking control of your own thought processes.

This is the book to read if you want to work on the most important thing in the world - Yourself.

There are many NLP books on subjects such as NLP language, NLP techniques, Working other people out, and rapport, but most are fairly superficial when it comes to submodalities which to my mind is one of the most important elements of NLP.

This is a seminar-turned-into-a-book, a style that may not appeal to everyone, but it's an easy read.

If you're ever taken a training with Richard Bandler reading 'Using your brain for a change' is like having Richard in the room. His tone and style come through strongly from the text and many of the stories and quotes may be familiar. Richard's attitude also comes through the text which is a real joy.

The book contains plenty of exercises, and it's all about changing the way you use your own brain which is the way to start working with NLP. If you don't try these things out on your own mind, how do you expect to be able to change others?

I also have to mention that submodalities is the part of NLP that I find the coolest.

If you want to be really good at using NLP techniques such as the phobia cure, or the swish pattern, then you really should learn the nuts and bolts that allow them to work, and 'Using your Brain for a Change' is the best source.

Unfortunately the book is currently out of print, but there are often second hand copies on ebay or amazon for a reasonable price, so do yourself a favour and check it out!