Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to understand the role of the subconscious mind and how it shapes our behavior. Ever wonder why you think a certain way, completely different from others? I mean, if something is important to you, wouldn’t it be just as important to someone else? Or if something makes total sense, wouldn’t everyone agree?
The truth is, we all have our own unique set of opinions and beliefs, and they can be completely different from those of others. Why does that happen, you ask? Studies suggest that our subconscious mind is shaped from the day we’re born until about the age of 7–10. During this time, every memory we have gets stored in our subconscious as emotional memory. These are moments tied to strong emotions—whether positive or negative. How we perceive what happened forms the foundation of our beliefs and opinions about life.
For example, our subconscious mind sorts emotional memories into categories, like “good” or “bad,” and groups them by themes—such as how we view family, school, friends, or fears. These themes influence our understanding of what’s safe or risky. Interestingly, the mind experiences fear as life-or-death, whether it’s a mental fear (like being embarrassed) or an actual physical threat—the emotional reaction is the same. Now, think about that. What does a child really know at such an early age, without the skills to cope with unpleasant experiences? They begin to form opinions and beliefs that can stick with them well into adulthood. Crazy, right?
The good news is, there’s a way to change your subconscious mind! And I’m going to share 3 easy steps to help you do just that. My rule of thumb is: “You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge.” So start by becoming aware of yourself and what it is you want to change in your life. Whether it’s a quick reaction or a pre-judgment, pick the one that’s most important to you, and let’s dive in.
Step 1: Understand Your Automatic Way of Being
Your automatic reactions and behaviors are the result of what’s stored in your subconscious mind. Everything you do is part of this system, shaped by your past experiences. But here’s the thing: don’t believe every thought you have. Many of your thoughts are echoes of the past, not reflections of what’s happening right now.
Step 2: Slow Down Your Decision-Making
Our natural instinct is to decide quickly, relying on old beliefs and opinions. Instead, slow down. Ask yourself, “What do I actually get out of this?” Is this decision going to make me happy, or am I just trying to be right? Take a moment to pause and reflect before you act.
Step 3: Introduce New Experiences
Start introducing yourself to new experiences and outcomes. When you try new things and consciously choose differently, you’ll naturally begin to change. As you see positive results from your decisions, your beliefs will shift to match the new version of yourself.
Practice these steps, and over time, you’ll notice a significant shift in how you think, feel, and react to the world around you.
