Assess your professional fulfillment with Robert Dilts' pyramid of logical levels

The Pyramid of logical levels is a model that was formalized by Robert Dilts and used in NLP (neurolinguistic programming). The idea is that our brain analyzes everything that happens to us through six levels of thinking:

At the bottom of the pyramid is the environment: where are you, when and with whom?

Then we have behavior and actions: what do you do?

Level 3 is Capability: What skills do you have?

Then, Values and beliefs: What matters to you? What do you believe about yourself and others?

Level 5 is Identity: Who are you?

And finally, on top of the pyramid is the Spiritual (which is a broad term to define something greater than ourselves): Why are you here? What's your purpose?

Most of us tend to build ourselves from the bottom up of the pyramid: our environment. We choose a job, we adapt our behavior and actions to achieve the mission we're assigned, we develop the skills we need to carry out the tasks, this contributes to the construction of certain beliefs and values, and we end up defining ourselves by our jobs.

People ask each other what they do for a living, and answer by giving their job title: I'm an engineer, I'm a coach, I'm a business owner... No one responds with their interests or their wills.

But what if we did the opposite and built ourselves from top to bottom. Imagine that you focus first on your purpose and how you feel, then deduce who you are, then determine your values, then build your skills, then adopt the right behavior, and finally, choose the environment that is aligned with your purpose, your personality, your values, your skills, and your actions.

 Imagine if we started introducing ourselves this way:

"I am Jane. I vibrate with the words "Dream", "Dare", "Fun". My main values are freedom and integrity. I am empathetic. I have learned methodologies to help people overcome traumas. Based on these facts, I chose to create my own environment by launching a coaching business that allows me to help others while being my own boss."

 When you encounter a problem, you can use the Dilts pyramid to identify on which logical level this problem is located.

To unblock the problem, you just have to act on either the higher logical level or the lower.

For example: If you are bored in your work (your environment), try to act on your behavior (apply for a promotion, start looking for a new job...)

What will happen if you solve the problem?

What will happen if you don't solve it?

 The following exercise will help you assess your professional fulfillment. Grab a notebook and answer the following questions.

Environment: Where, when, with whom?

• What kind of environment do you like working?
• Do you prefer working from home, being in an open space, working in a coffee shop, or having a private office?
• Do you prefer to work alone, or with colleagues, teammates, or independent contractors? Would you like to see them every day, or only occasionally?
• What time of the day are you the most productive?
• What seasons do you feel more focused, creative, or relaxed?

• Are your actions consistent? Do they represent who you are?
• What is your body language?
• How do you usually operate? (are you straightforward? poised? results-oriented?)
• Is your current behavior helping you reach your goals?
• What have you already tried to change in your behavior and actions to improve your situation?

• What are you good at?
• What skills are you lacking today?
• What do you want to learn? What stimulates you about learning it?
• What are the skills you would like to nurture, develop, acquire, or stop using?
• What skills can you rely on to reach your goals?

• What are the positive or limiting beliefs that can help you, or prevent you from making progress toward your new career goal?
• In what situations do you say "I must", "I should", "I mustn't",
• "I shouldn't"? What beliefs are hiding behind these words?
• What are your core values? What's important to you? What are the causes you are willing to fight for? 

• How would you describe yourself?
• How do others perceive you (you can send them this questionnaire)?
• How would you like to be described?
• How is your identity, your personality, a strength for initiating a new professional project?

• What is your "life mission"?
• What legacy do you want to leave on Earth?
• What would you like to have engraved on your obituary?
• If you had to commit to one single cause for the rest of your life, what would it be?

After answering all these questions, identify which levels are fine, and which ones need adjustments. This exercise is ideal for building a new project, but also to check in regularly through the development of your activity.