Sensory acuity – that is the NLP term for “notice what is happening around you”; well, in simple terms at least. From an NLP perspective, when you are sensory acute, you are aware of macro and micro movements and changes that can clue you in on many things.

Unfortunately there are so many people (NLPers included) that lack sensory acuity. These are the people who keep following you well after you have finished a conversation, who keep talking although you look nearly dead due to boredom or who bring the complete opposite emotion into a situation and don’t notice.

I still find it amazing that some people don’t notice these things. Luckily, I am pretty good at sensory acuity. I want to be sensory acquit so I can ask more questions and be more aware.

I bring the topic of sensory acuity up within my chat to you about confidence and not giving a shit because they really do go hand in hand.

Not giving a shit, that is, not caring what other people think is a key aspect to confidence, in my opinion. But, it is equally important to have sensory acuity at the same time. Its not “I don’t give a shit about you”, it is “I don’t give a shit about what you think about me”.

Let me give you an example: when I’m training I am in a very special place – its my training space. In this space, I know what I’m talking about, I am competent in my training skills and the knowledge I’m delivering. I’m confident.

My focus is on my students – calibrating with sensory acuity “do they get it?” or “do they need more information”. I am being with them wholly and completely. Where my mind isn’t is “do they like me?”, “do I look OK in this dress?”, “what do they think about me?” Ultimately, the training isn’t about me so why would I give a shit about what they think about me?

Because my focus and attention is on the students, using sensory acuity to calibrate for understanding, confusion, etc., I care about them as learners. I want them to get the most out of the information that I’m delivering, this is what I give a shit about. Not about their thoughts about me. In fact, if I had no sensory acuity I would not be able to know if my message was getting through. I could be delivering to an empty room or  a brick wall.

It’s exactly the same if I am in a meeting selling my services. I know my products and services are good. I know that if someone buys something from me, they are going to be impressed with what they buy. Its not about me; even though I am often times the product, its still not about me. If I am sensory acquit to my potential clients needs, I will do a much better job at satisfying those needs and I will be much more likely to sell my services. If however, I am only confident with no sensory acuity, I’m telling the client “I don’t give a shit about you” – now, why in the world would they want to buy anything from me?

Show people that you care – notice the small things that mean a lot! And, at the same time, don’t care at all what they think about you. After all, you’re not going to please all of the people all of the time! It really isn’t even worth trying!

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