Sometimes it seems that NLP is all about solving problems. It isn't. "Problem" is usually a negative word. It means only that there is a difference between what you have and what you want. When you do not like what you have and want to get away from it, then you have a remedial problem. Many people take "problem" to refer to remedial problems. However, when you like what you have but want something better, then you have a different class of "problem" - a generative problem. Generative problems are far nicer "problems" to have.

When you have something good, you might still make it better by changing the submodalities.

• Think back to a pleasant memory. Notice the submodalities. Can you make it even more pleasant?
• Change the submodalities and notice the effect.
• Make the picture brighter, bigger, nearer. Does that make the memory more pleasurable?
• Experiment with the submodalities of the memory until you make it as pleasurable as possible.

Find your own time line.

As you look at your time line, how does it help you understand how you think about the past and the future?

For example, someone who has a short past time line will have to cram many events into a short space and may have difficulty remembering exactly how long ago something happened. Someone with a short future time line may have problems looking far into the future, or may cram the future into a short space and lose perspective. (The length of your future time line has no esoteric connection with how long you live! If it is short, it only means that you may find it difficult to future plan.)

Your time line was not fixed forever at birth. You created it. You can change it. Aim for choice and flexibility - you will want to be in time for many pleasurable activities, but through time for for planning activities in the future.

Whether you are through time or in time, experiment with both as follows.

• Imagine stepping onto your time line.
• If you are through time, imagine stepping onto your time line and seeing it pass outside your body. You may feel a little more objective, a little more able to take an overview. Then step in again.
• You have the choice. Being in time and through time are states and resources, depending on what you want to do.

See the video of the film Dead Poets Society, starring Robin Williams and Ethan Hawke, even if you have seen it before. How does the character played by Robin Williams change the meaning of poetry for his class? How do you submodalities change for the idea of "poetry" as the film progresses?

Listen to your internal voice. Is it your voice? From which direction does it seem to come? How loud is it? How would you make it more pleasant so that it is a joy to listen to? Do you talk to yourself as if you like yourself?