What’s the subconscious mind anyways?
The function of your subconscious mind is to store and retrieve data…and, more, importantly to keep you safe.
Our subconscious mind is the program that’s always running in the background. Shaped from a young age through childhood and past experiences, many of these programs can contain beliefs that are disempowering (“I’ll never be good enough”), self-sabotaging (“I don’t deserve to be happy”) and limiting (“I’m too old, it’s too late to try something new”).
How do subconscious beliefs hold you back?
As much as we are looking to initiate change and set out to boldly conquer our fears, our subconscious mind is merely concerned with keeping us safe. This may express itself as wanting to stay in whatever situation we may be in (whether that be an unfulfilling relationship, a job that isn’t rewarding, etc) because it’s comfortable and, therefore perceived subconsciously as safe.
The change or the way forward that we seek, because it is different from what we are used to experiencing, our subconscious mind may perceive it as unsafe simply because it is unfamiliar. This is where it can cause problems when we consciously believe we are out to achieve something and find that it’s trickier than it seems and we end up getting in the way of ourselves.
With any goal that you’d like to achieve, you want to make sure your subconscious is 100% on board with feeling safe, stable, liked and being true to yourself; aligned with your goal. If we don’t feel safe or liked or stable or believe it’s possible while setting out to achieve the goal, it can make working towards it that much more difficult. Some examples of positive affirmation can include:
I can create positive change in my life and feel safe.
I can put myself first and be liked by others.
I can have a financially fulfilling career and stay true to myself.
Writing these out can also bring awareness to where the conflict or blockage lies.
So, how do I overcome them?
1. Be honest.
Ask yourself what’s stopping you from making that change? Say, for instance, it’s leaving a job where you feel unfulfilled. Something like:
“I’m scared because I won’t be able to make money any other way” “I’m not good enough to find another job” “It’s too late to make changes in my life”
…might show up for you.
2. Be curious.
Ask yourself if those statements are really true. If you were to achieve this goal, what negative things might happen? Some worries that might come up may be along the lines of:
“My boss will hate me” “My friends will think I’m stupid” “People will think I’m crazy” “I won’t be able to make money”
When you write these things down, remember that your subconscious is trying to protect you from potential negative outcomes and experiences.
3. Get inspired.
Find others or a community of like-minded individuals who have achieved a similar goal with a positive outcome. Read books by them. Make the commitment to keep yourself inspired every day…whether it’s reading a few sentences of an inspirational book every morning or reading and writing positive affirmations before you go to sleep - find what works best for you and stick to it.
4. Tap away.
Tapping or EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) can also be a handy tool in your daily self-care routine to address those subconscious beliefs directly. Check out Brad Yates: he has a multitude of short videos that can help you tap through limiting beliefs or stresses that life throws your way.
5. Visualize.
Take a time out, meditate and visualize. Imagine what it feels like to have achieved that goal. Feel the emotions that you will feel once you are living that goal. Make a vision board. Do something that will help you tap into the emotion of living the life of having achieved that goal. This can be a powerful method to help re-wire the subconscious mind. If you’d like to learn more about the science behind “rewiring your brain” – be sure to check out Dr. Joe Dispenza’s TED Talk on neuroplasticity here.
6. Get the support you need.
Whether it’s a kinesiology session or coaching, having personalized support to help facilitate positive change and support you through shifting these beliefs, can be extremely nurturing and helpful.
Now that you have these tips, what are you waiting for? Remember, you only live once, so go get ‘em, Tiger!
Article contributed The Busy Woman Project Expert Lia Wong.
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