DEALING WITH SYMPTOMS
Where there are problems, there are almost always symptoms. Incredibly there are many times when the symptoms feel worse than the problem.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
The ISNS library
Neurons
Public reflections on meaning, thinking, and personal development from the Neuro-Semantics community.
Articles
THE GREAT DISTINCTION
The great distinction is the difference between a problem and its symptoms.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
THE ART OF MIS-HANDLING PROBLEM
When it comes to problem-solving, handling a problem occurs on a continuum.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
THE SECRET TO EFFECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING
Many people think that the art of solving problems means being creative or intelligent or lucky.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
“IT’S THE THINKING, SILLY”
“It’s the economy, stupid!” was the winning slogan that played a big role in getting Bill Clinton elected as president.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD!
While it’s easy to take the comment in the title (“It’s all in your head”) as a criticism or an insult, it is actually a recognition of your cognitive powers.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
THRIVING ON PROBLEMS
Now talk about a wild and crazy idea! Thriving on problems?! Really? Well, yes, that’s the vision of developing expertise in problem-solving.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
WHY WON’T THEY STAND?
For the past few days I have struggled with a question that I began considering when I heard the President’s State of the Union speech.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
SYMPTOMS ON THE THREE META LEVELS
In the last blog we explored the three meta-levels of problems and because of those three meta-levels (Neurons #7), each level also triggers different kinds of symptoms.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
THREE META-LEVELS OF PROBLEM-SOLVING
Once you are ready to begin a meta probe into the meta-levels of the mind—you begin the journey to where we create meaning and where we create problems (Neurons 2026 #7).
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
PROBLEM PREVENTION
Once there is a problem, there is problem solving. Once you or another person has created a problem which blocks him from reaching his desired outcome, you thereafter become engaged in problem-solving.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
THE META PROBE FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING
What you have to know, and not only ‘know,’ but fully realize at a feeling level, is that all problems occur in someone’s mind.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
PROBLEM-SOLVING THINKING
One thing is obvious in terms of developing your expertise in problem-solving—you have to up your game in how you think and the quality of your thinking.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
GETTING YOUR APPROACH RIGHT
My focus in the last post was to identify the typical and conventional ways we commonly approach problems which are not only wrong and do not work, but often makes things worse.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR APPROACH
Let’s begin with the presence of a problem. Imagine that you have a problem or someone you know has a problem.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
THE 5-MINUTE PROBLEM-SOLVING CONVERSATION
Here’s something audacious to imagine—imagine that you set out to solve a problem in five minutes.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
More NLP Errors
A further historical critique of NLP claims, from sub-modalities and logical levels to modelling expertise and interpreting eye movements.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
Uncorrected Errors of NLP (Well Until Now)
Michael Hall continues his critique of NLP terminology and assumptions, discussing states, identity labels, and memory.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
Four Disastrous NLP Errors
The opening part of Michael Hall’s critique of recurring NLP claims examines non-verbal communication, body language, and ideas about the conscious and unconscious mind.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
Updating the NLP Model
Michael Hall reflects on updating NLP manuals and models, making patterns easier to follow, and learning from decades of feedback.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
Misunderstandings from the Neurosciences
A critical reflection on how neuroscience findings are interpreted, and on distinctions between the brain, the mind and the person.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
Who Would You Like to Think Like?
Whose way of thinking would you choose to learn? A reflection on role models, modelling excellence and the influences on our thinking.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
Your Strategic Thinking, Your Mission
How can a wish become a vision, a decision and a mission? This reflection explores strategic thinking in everyday life.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
Meta-NLP: The New Edition
Michael Hall reflects on the evolution of Meta-NLP and the thinking behind its 2025 personal-empowerment training.
Dr. L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.Founder and Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics
Showing 25–48 of 56 articles
A moment
to reflect.
Join Neurons for free weekly reflections from Dr. L. Michael Hall.