No matter how much effort some people exert to improve on their behaviour, they tend to follow the same patterns over and over again. In relationships for instance, there are people who vow never to fall for the same type of person once they get out of a tumultuous relationship – only to find themselves in another relationship with the same person only this time with a different name, look or even gender. It’s not that this type of relationship is any better; it’s the familiarity which keeps drawing them back.
You may be one among the many who have read hundreds of how-to books, attended seminars or taken courses on self-improvement. You think you have done everything there is to equip you to forge lasting changes but in the end, you fall back and repeat the same dysfunctional patterns and wonder why you can’t just get out. It’s always such a struggle – and it can be deeply frustrating! Is there any hope for something better??
Yes there is. The reason why it has been a struggle for you is because you keep addressing behavioural issues on the conscious level. That is not what directs you to behave in a particular way nor does it help to channel your mind into believing new precepts and principle. Our patterns of behaviour are controlled by the sub-conscious, which, when reprogrammed, can lead to the behavioural changes you are wishing to happen.
So How Does the Subconscious Mind Work?
The sub-conscious comprises the largest portion of our mind. It contains all the inputs we have learned and received throughout our lives. Information is stored there – the necessary pieces are put to use at a particular time when they are needed, while the rest lie dormant until a time when external forces trigger a recall.
The subconscious holds millions of thoughts that are grouped into clusters that form our beliefs, convictions, perceptions, mindsets and character traits. They make up the totality of what we are on the outside. Our mind is like an iceberg – the conscious part forms the tip of the iceberg, and it is what everyone around us sees and related with. The subconscious on the other hand, is the submerged portion of the iceberg, always hidden from view but basically supporting the whole visible portion. We never see the subconscious in action, but it is always the major factor that guides us through life and all that it holds for us.
Learned behaviour resides in the subconscious, and it doesn’t take much effort to get information from that memory bank when we need it. Learning how to walk is an example of learned behaviour – we did learn how to walk when we were toddlers and the information process is stored in the subconscious. We don’t tell ourselves to put one foot in front of the other every time we stand up to walk – it’s something that flows freely from the subconscious because once learned, it will always be there. It is what controls our actions through repetition and practice.
And just as the subconscious controls the steps we take to walk, so does it control the steps we take as we travel the journey through life. And we don’t need to get stuck in patterns of repeated behaviour – we can implement change by reprogramming our subconscious mind to receive a new set of beliefs and precepts. Fresh inputs and new thoughts can allow the subconscious to direct us to the changes we want to happen. Here are some techniques and strategies that you can tap into your subconscious and reprogram it towards the changes you desire:
1. AFFIRMATION: Affirmations are a set of positive, present tense statements you can use to reprogram your subconscious to focus on the positive aspects and do away with negative thinking. When the mind is trained to take on a constructive note, it inspires the subconscious to bring about positive actions and results. And by repeating these positive actions, you create new mind pathways and a better attitude towards life.
2. VISUALIZATION: When you visualize something, you create a concrete mental picture of something that otherwise is just a set of descriptive thoughts and words. By painting a mind picture of your aspirations and goals, you stimulate the subconscious into accepting these visualizations as reality. Your desires and actions follow suit and directs behaviour towards the goal. You stand more chances at attaining your aspirations through this – this is method top athletes use during competition. They visualize winning to push themselves towards the gold. If you can SEE it…you can ACHIEVE IT!!!
3. HYPNOSIS: Therapeutic exercises on the subconscious sometimes work at training your thoughts towards a new mindset. Hypnosis works by easing the mind into a state of relaxation and releasing its grip on old thoughts and memories. Once this release level has been achieved, the mind opens up to new thoughts and perceptions and processes them into your new realities.
4. SUBLIMINAL AUDIOS: Subliminal audio is equivalent to reading between the lines. We hear words or tones when someone speaks or sings, but we read something at a different level from the way words are chosen or put together or what tones are used when speaking or singing. Sublime sounds can reprogram the subconscious into a new way of thinking. This especially works during periods of rest or sleep when the mind does not resist the information it receives. The fully conscious mind has a natural tendency to process information as it receives them in the audible level; however in its restful state, it takes in both the audible and sublimal level which can reprogram it to new inputs. Why not program yourself stating in a positive fashion those things in which you want. Create your own audios, in your own voice stating what YOU REALLY want.
Using these techniques can help remove the burden of repeated dysfunctional behaviour caused by a conscious level of reaction to external factors. When we are aware how the subconscious works, we can teach the mind to let go of the negative stuff it retains and open it to newer, fresher and more positive thoughts. That way, we step out of the vicious routine of dysfunctional behaviour and move along a path that leads to the fulfilment of our aspirations through positively reinforced behaviour patterns. Get ready for a positive 2010…it’s your time. Heck…it’s MY TIME TOO!!! Starting my audio tonight! See you on the Positive Side!
Looking for a bit of inspiration? Something to jumpstart the new you? Check out my girl Shanel Cooper-Sykes. She’s a bolt of lightning with a monthly tele-class that will kick-start your change efforts.
HUGS!
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