Anchoring is a technique where a sensory stimulus becomes linked to a specific emotional state, allowing that state to be accessed or elicited by exposure to the stimulus. Common anchors include words, touches, objects, smells, songs, and tastes. The steps to anchoring are: 1) select an uncommon gesture, 2) visualize a positive emotional experience, 3) enhance the visualization, 4) link the gesture to the emotional peak, 5) repeat the linking, and 6) test the anchor by doing the gesture and seeing if the emotion returns. Anchors are useful for harnessing emotions when needed and work best with precise repetition and positive expectation.

9. Anchoring – What can it do for you?