Reality Reconstruction

As You Read This You Can Understand The Power Of These

The Milton Model is a wonder set of language tools that you can use in virtually any situation where communication is involved.

Today’s pattern is called “Pacing Current Experience,” and is a great one to start off with.

It simply involves saying things that must be true about the current experience of your listener.

For example, when I write “As you read this…” I know this absolutely must be true about your current experience. What else do I know about you? You can speak English, as this is in English, you have a connection to the Internet, as this is accessible only on the Internet, you are reading on a device that is connected to the Internet.

So when I write:

There you are, using your device, it may be a computer, or an iPhone, or a netbook or something, reading this words, and thinking those thoughts. As you look at your screen, and these words that are on your screen…

It has a very high probability of being true. In and of itself, this pattern won’t do much, but it is a great way slowly lead into other patterns that require more of a “leap of faith” on the part of your listener. A great way to follow this is with the “mind reading pattern.”

There you are, using your device, it may be a computer, or an iPhone, or a netbook or something, reading this words, and thinking those thoughts. As you look at your screen, and these words that are on your screen, you may be wondering about how you can use the Milton Model to increase your own personal happiness, in a way, that’s right, for you. And as you think about that, you may be curious as to how many other people have been able to study and learn these patterns, and how long it took them to make a great deal of improvement simply through the use of these patterns.

You can use this virtually anywhere.

At the beginning of a meeting:

So there you are, waiting for this meeting to start, holding the reports that were handed out earlier…

At the beginning of a sales call.

So here we are, sitting here, looking at these brochures of product X, which you called to ask me about yesterday, and asked if I could come to your home and help you decide whether or not this is a product that can really benefit you…

At the beginning of a conversation at a social gathering.

Wow. Lots of people here. Looks like a few came with a date, and a few came with a group of friends, and this place seems to be big enough to hold everybody, I heard that they close at 2 A.M….

At the beginning of a jury trial (to the jurors, in case you are a defense or prosecuting attorney).

So here we are, in this courtroom. You’ve come here today instead of doing the things you normally do on a Tuesday. You are sitting in two rows, six in front, and six in back. The Judge has given you strict rules to follow. You have all agreed to follow those rules. My client has been accused of murder. There was enough evidence for the police to arrest him. He is sitting right over there, listening to me speak, had hoping that I can convince you that he is innocent…

A really great way to practice this pattern is to go to Starbucks, or any other place where you can sit comfortably for an hour or so, and just watch people. Pick somebody that is sitting, and give them a good look for about five seconds. (Don’t be weird though!) Then just write down in a notebook three or four things that are absolutely true about their experience, and phrase them as if you are starting a conversation with them.

For extra practice, you can follow up with the Mind Reading pattern, and come up with some ideas that they are likely thinking based on the situation.

Remember, the more you practice, the easier this will be to do conversationally, without thinking.

Have Fun!

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