I find one big problem with these 'freedom' to do what ever you like based on the map (because it is only a map) that goes: 'the map is not the territory'

The problem is the way many training programs are being run and sold is potentially damaging NLP's credibility and quality in the future.

Some of us define NLP as 'the study of the structure of the subjective experience and what can we calculate from it'.
Now this last piece of calculation has to do with 'probability calculus' and so this calculation like any probability is not a thing that will happen definetly, it is just a thing that has more chance of happening.

My own calculation is that the more we say people will learn ALL the skills and 'requiered' background knowledge of NLP in less and less days (some even have it down to 2 days), the more future generations of NLPers will have less profound knowledge of the basis for things plus most likely less skill to adjust when things do not work following the ritual learned in a speed program.

However I know some will talk about 'modeling' others about 'time distortion' and that is all nice but some skills are still developed over time. I challange anyone saying otherwise to teach someone (by modeling or whatever the f*** you want) to be as good a tennis player as Roger Federer in a week!!! If that is possible here is a thought DO IT and keep 5% of his lifetime earnings. Or here is another thought teach someone in a week to be Madonna!! Or maybe just maybe you could make a 5 year old a neurosurgeon and let him or her do surgery on you.

The more we say anything and everything is accomplished with NLP in 10 minutes, the more we sound like a scam. One thing is to have that attitude of going for it(that is what Richard wants from students) and another thing is to advertise it that way AND even discuss it as true!

I know some will come back with the 'map is not the territory', that is following a post hypnotic suggestion thinking that map is THE real map. You know what, save it! I know what I write is based on my own perceptions and beliefs, and further more I know I can be wrong and have been wrong before. See I don't claim to be far better than no one, because you know what... who cares?! I am just a human being not an errorless god. BUT I also know I've been right many times and sadly the tendency I notice is for this kind of claims to make potential students think NLP is a joke... and will they be wrong according to this claims? (circus music fades out)

Hmmm... think about it!

Gabe

PS - All the great trainers (according to my own criteria) that I've met including of course my friend Richard have studied LONG time different topics, read many books and have practice, practice and more practice to become good at what they do. In the end IT IS NOT about 7, 10, 12, 16 or 20 days of training IT IS more about an attitude to continue studiyng, learning and going further everyday in the understanding of what works when, where and with whom, plus understanding how things work and sometimes even why it works. JUST A THOUGHT