5 Steps to Change Your Meta Programs
Meta Programs are the DNA of our personality.
They are our greatest strength and also our greatest weakness.
They filter the information we receive and therefore, define where we put our attention to.
All of them have some sort of value. There is a reason why we choose them, even thought sometimes we might not be achieving our intention.
The main question I get asked about Meta Programs is:
How can I change them?
In a nutshell, Meta Programs inform your brain regarding what to delete and what to focus on.
Example - Let’s say that you are running a Future Oriented Meta Program in the context of your profession.
Your brain will delete:
a) the present moment reality of your profession and
b) what happened in the past in regards to it. It will only be able to focus in the Future.
Hence, the main thing to do when wanting to change them is to re-direct your awareness into what you would normally delete.
In this example - Practice looking for what is happening in the present. Practice looking for evidence in the past.
Basically changing the habitual pattern of going into the Future and practicing (THIS IS THE KEY) processing time in a different way.
I have created 5 basic steps you can practice with any Meta Program you would like to explore for yourself.
5 Steps to Expand Your Meta Programs
1.AWARENESS
This is the first step. Always.
-What is the Meta Program you want to change?
-When/Where/How do you use this Meta Program that does not serve you well?
-How does it undermine your effectiveness in some way?
2. DESCRIBE AND EXPLORE THE PREFERRED META PROGRAM
-What Meta Program/Level of Processing would you prefer to use to filter reality?
-When/Where/How would you you use this Meta Program?
-Does it functionally serve you to use this new Meta Program in that specific context?
3. ASK YOURSELF FOR PERMISSION
-Do you have permission to shift it?
-What happens when you give yourself permission to use it for a time?
-Are there any objections when thinking about changing this?
4. TRY IT OUT
Imaginatively, adopt this new Meta Program.
-How does it feel to run this Meta Program in this context?
-What would you hear/see/feel differently from this perspective?
-What kind of person would it begin to make you?
-What effect would it have in different aspects of your life?
-What ideas or beliefs would support this filter?
5. APPLY, REFLECT, LEARN, REPEAT
Now that you have identified what is the new Meta Program you want to use and where, how and when to use it, it’s time to practice. Practice is the key to change and transformation.
-Whenever you are in that situation again, practice the new Meta Program.
-Reflect through thinking, journaling and sharing it with someone else. What was different if anything? What was similar? Was it more resourceful for you to filter information in this way? Why yes and why no?
-Explore and discovering the new learnings you have got from your experience. Is there any other adjustment to make? Is this how you had imagined it would be? What would you need to keep changing? What would you like to maintain?
-With this new learnings, go out there and practice again.
PRO TIP
Due to your unfamiliarity with this perceptual filter and this way of looking at the world, it is normal to feel it is “weird” and strange to see the world from this perspective. Beside the discomfort, explore what comes up for you when trying it out. It will probably feel uncomfortable at first. It is part of the process of change. The opportunity is to move past that to really experience and witness what happens when you learn a new way of being. Have fun!
Boost Your Development
If you feel ready to expand your perception of yourself and move beyond your Meta Programs (and any filter), let’s chat!