NEESU IS YOU
by Mike Francis
 
STOP! Be quiet. And tell that other person to “Shut up! And listen for a while!” It’s the person with all the answers. The one that knows everything and has an opinion on everything; and, of course, that person is never wrong. You know who I mean, right? No? Then, please say hello to NEESU. He’s someone you know very well; because NEESU is you! Let me explain.
 
Your relationship with NEESU is unique and personal. He’s your closest friend, your constant guide and sometimes your worst enemy. NEESU has primarily been educated and trained by you; however, he’s also been mentored by your parents, relatives, friends, colleagues, the media, various literature, prominent public figures and others. His development began around about the time you were born.
 
NEESU is the voice in your head and whilst for the purpose of this article I refer to him in the male gender, NEESU actually has the same gender as you. His name is also an acronym which describes the very nature of his behaviour. You see, NEESU Never Ever Ever Shuts Up. Even now he’s chattering away and may even be saying something like “What a dumb name for the voice in my head!”
 
Whatever name or identity you may use to define that voice, the fact remains that it never ever, ever shuts up, (apart from the exceptions of unconsciousness (self-imposed or otherwise) and death). More important than the name you use, is the tone of communications you typically hear from NEESU. Is he predominantly positive or negative, cynical or hopeful, happy or sad, angry or passive? And, do you control NEESU or does he control you?
 
Most people don’t know or don’t care about NEESU. Some even deny his existence, dismissing him as a foolish notion – they usually say “I’m a realist.” Well, so is NEESU! He’s a lot like gravity; meaning, believing in him or not makes no difference to the reality of his existence. Of course, we’re all entitled to our own view on the matter. But there are definitely consequences that come from ignoring or denying NEESU. The impact will vary greatly, depending on your circumstances.
 
Regardless of how NEESU communicates with you now, know this: you have the supreme power and authority to re-educate and re-train NEESU to speak with you in whatever manner you choose. NEESU is eternally teachable and you can send him back to school anytime you want. The greatest blessing of such a decision is that everything you teach NEESU becomes a part of your own thinking… because NEESU is You!
 
Oh, by the way, NEESU has the same FACE style as you. So ‘FACE, The Global Language’ (e-book) is a great resource to help you with NEESU’s training. Simply get your downloadable copy from FACE Shop.
 
 
2 New FACE Facilitators
 
That’s right; another 2 people graduated as FACE Facilitators from the latest 2-day onsite course. See ‘FACE Updates’ for more information.
 
 
 
FACE updates
Who are our new FACE Facilitators?
 
From the recent 2-day FACE Facilitator Course in Australia, we have had 2 more accredited Facilitators join our global team. The new FACE Facilitators are Gabriel Enslin and Paul Connelly. Welcome, gentlemen!
 
In the next 6 months, you will see a Facilitators Only area on the FACE website. This will provide Facilitators with the latest in FACE resources, a forum for Facilitators to network and share ideas, and the addition of comprehensive FACE reports.
 
That’s all for this month. See you again in September.
 
 
FACE tip
Is FACE just a ‘stab in the dark’?
 
Hello! Thanks for stopping by.
 
Just the other day, I overheard one of our FACE Facilitators struggling to respond to a challenging comment about FACE. She was conducting an ‘Intro to FACE’ session for a group of managers, when one of the attendees confidently (almost aggressively) stated, “All of these profiling and so-called communication tools are just guesswork!” The Facilitator (equally confidently) launched into a detailed explanation to defend the credibility of FACE, but it was clear that she was having no success at changing the particular manager’s opinion.
 
The truth is, there isn’t a tool, model or system of assessment anywhere in the world that can claim to be 100% accurate. Even leading psychologists and psychiatrists will freely admit that they don’t get it right all the time with their patients. That said, if I were to find myself in need of some significant psychological support, I would probably not seek the services of a mechanic. (No offense intended).
 
FACE (like most other similar tools) has many years of research and development behind it. No, it’s not a perfect science. Nothing is, especially when it involves humans. However, FACE has a proven and credible track record. It works!
 
For all our FACE Facilitators around the world, if ever you are faced with an “it’s just guesswork” challenge, here’s a suggested response for you:
“You’re absolutely right, it IS guesswork. But there’s a whole lot of difference between an educated guess and just a stab in the dark.”
That’s all you need to say.
 
Bye-bye for now.
 
 
FACE events
When communication goes totally wrong!
 
Hello.
 
I have no events to report on for this month. However, despite my caricature existence, I consider myself a citizen of the world and as such I have a right to be heard. So this month I am using my usual spot to speak my mind. In fact, my contribution to FACE News this month is on behalf of the entire FACE Team.
 
The cowardly and senseless actions of Anders Behring Breivik – the perpetrator of the Norway massacre on 22nd July – are the worst examples of how NOT to communicate. It’s not communication, it’s violence! Rather than fracturing communities or peoples of different faiths, Breivik’s gutless acts have done more to unify humanity than to separate us. Various religious leaders (including Muslims), along with those who hold to no particular faith have joined as one to condemn his actions.
 
To do what he did, Breivik must be evil or insane or, most likely, both. But, we need to look beyond this misguided fool and seek to understand what drives a man like him to develop such a heartless, callous state of mind; one capable of such cruelty and all as a means of communicating a message of racism. Personally, I think certain extremist organisations have got to take some of the responsibility for what happened in Norway.
 
Right, well I can hardly remember the last time I’ve had so much to say about anything like I have on this occasion. Let’s just say there are right ways and wrong ways to communicate.
 
That’ll do for this month. Goodbye.
 
 
FACE wins & challenges
What’s the FACE of your children?
 
Hello beautiful people! Yes, that includes you!
 
I have another good (albeit bitter-sweet) FACE story to share with you this month. It comes from Maria in Canberra, Australia. Check it out…
 
 “About 8 months ago my husband (Russell) and I separated. It has been an unpleasant and heart-wrenching time for me, but fortunately neither of us has been nasty or spiteful in the process. We have a 9yo son (Felix) and we’re both focused on doing the best we can for him, under the circumstances. To be honest, I really haven’t been coping very well. Most nights, I fall asleep tearful, with a whirlwind of ‘What if?’ questions spinning in my head.
 
A couple of weeks ago I broke that tearful cycle when I realised that I was so caught up in my own feelings that I wasn’t listening to, or even noticing, Felix’s emotional struggle with the whole change in our family dynamics. The first thing I did was chat with my closest girlfriend (Anne).
 
Anne has been a rock for me. She never judges and is the best listener. I told her about Felix and my lack of attention to his needs and Anne said the strangest thing… ‘That’s because you’re an Entertainer and Felix is an Analyst. You’re polar opposites’.
 
Anne spent the next 2 hours telling me all about FACE and how it has helped her to understand herself and her children so much better. She said she communicates with all of them in their FACE style. I did the FACE questionnaire thing and I’m a Friend-Entertainer. We guessed that Felix is a Pedigree-Analyst, just like his father.
 
I bought a copy of your e-book ‘FACE, The Global Language’ and it has made a world of difference to Felix and I. We really talk on the same level now. Thank you so much. I even suggested to Russell that he gets a copy of the book as well. Who knows, maybe there’s a chance of us reaching a reconciliation somewhere down the track. Maybe.
 
By the way, do you have any plans for FACE questionnaires that target different age groups?”
 
I never cease to be amazed at the many and varied ways that FACE is making a difference in peoples’ lives. Thanks for your story, Maria. And, to your last question; yes, we have already started to develop a teen/young-adult version of the FACE questionnaire. As for the even younger age groups, we’ll be seeking direction from experts who know more about that area than we do. I suspect it will be a guide for parents (and maybe teachers) on how to make a general assessment; just like you did with Felix.
 
If you have a win or a challenge you’d like to share; or if you’d like to tell us how FACE is making a difference for you or your relationships, then please do send us an email to enquiry@facematrix.com.au.
 
See ya next month. WOOHOO!!!
 
 
FACE of the Month (FREE download)
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