Your evolving Mind — Part 3: the mental maze
Did you know that only 5 percent of your thoughts are conscious?
The other 95 percent is lost in the dark corners of your subconscious mind.
So, when you’re looking for specific answers to some personal questions, it is difficult to come to a quick understanding, as the logical chain can be long and complex. You’d need to do some probing and analyzing first, before the pieces can fit together to reveal the bigger picture.
Doing this alone requires much time, skill and emotional flexibility. A lot of frustration, trial and error is required when doing anything on your own. But, the process can be simplified and made easier with the help of a professional coach. So if you’d like to truly get to know yourself, schedule a call and start exploring the 95% of you that isn’t visible to the eyes.
So how is our mind structured?
What you need to know is — as humans we try to operate these minds and bodies without a manual guide. And with every step within things become more complex and mysterious. No wonder, only 5% of your thoughts are conscious, the other 95% are buried deep in the subconscious.
The conscious mind is logical. It learns from what the world feeds it and creates patterns.
The subconscious mind is habitual. It is a sum of all that it learned throughout life.
(Swan, 2016)
In order for these two minds to grow, they need to learn to communicate.
As one scientist explained:
“There is a conscious mind that can think freely and create new ideas ‘out of the box’. Then there is the subconscious mind, which is basically a super computer loaded with a database of programmed behaviors, most of which we acquired before we reached the age of six.” (Life Trainings)
As we get older the subconscious mind becomes so good at making decisions, that we don’t even notice the moment this happens.
In fact, our subconscious makes a decision even before we are aware of it.
Studies show that: “our brains begin to prepare for action just over a third of a second before we consciously decide to act. In other words, even when we ‘think’ we are conscious, it is our unconscious mind which is actually making our decisions for us.” (Life Trainings)
The decisions made by the brain are so fast and complex, that the only way to influence our mind is through thoughts. The filters by which we organize and analyze incoming information.
That’s because the conscious mind can learn on its own, without having zero impact on the subconscious mind. So you can read all the information and theories you want, but until they turn into actionable steps or habits, you won’t reap the benefits of your inner work.
One challenge with growth is that our blue print for processing information is established by age 7, before we even become aware of logical thoughts.
What do you control?
You control the biggest part of the process — you decide which thoughts you are willing to entertain. Since it’s not possible for our mind to think two opposing thoughts at the same time, you get the freedom to choose where you want to place your attention.
This is why having a clear and passionate goals is so vital for our growth and success. Our mind can’t tell the difference between what’s real or imagined, and that’s what gives us power.
By focusing on the details of your goal, you indirectly program the subconscious mind to keep following the desired course, adopting new habits and reshaping your mind’s operating systems.
Taking inventory of your current environment will help you see what aspects of your present lifestyle hinder or help the process. With the mind the trick is always to start with something simple, and slowly walk your way into the deepness within, feeling your way as you go. (St. John, 2017)
Why though?
What’s the need and point of doing all this work?
The point is — if you’re not careful and don’t pay attention to your subconscious mind it will run your show called life, not from the perspective of development, but from pure habit.
You become that hamster in the wheel. Moving, going, and doing, without actually progressing. So if you’re not happy with what you’re currently seeing, remember that your life is a reflection of the programs of your mind. It was shaped by the age of 7, and if it’s not serving you, it’s time for change.
Fair warning for all beginners, this process is emotional and can be uncomfortable. But it is so worthwhile and valuable, that by putting it off for later, you’re delaying your true happiness.
Because the subconscious mind responds to your thoughts, it’s important to start by simply becoming aware of them.
Remember that in moments of fear, the decision making power goes automatically to the subconscious mind (it’s much faster than logic). To work through the blocks, we need to take the subconscious thoughts and make them available to the conscious.
Mindfulness and self-awareness are essential.
Here are some easy and fun ways to develop those skills:
1) Journaling — asking yourself questions
2) Meditation — spending time with your thoughts
3) Visualization — imagining what the future could feel and look like
If you want more help with setting detailed, specific and powerful goals, make sure to check out this free masterclass on how to make smart goals.
Take Away:
Now that you know the complex make up of your mind, what will you do about it?
As the scientists from this TIME article suggested:
There is a “‘Passive Frame Theory’, and their provocative idea goes like this: nearly all of your brain’s work is conducted in different lobes and regions at the unconscious level, completely without your knowledge. When the processing is done and there is a decision to make or a physical act to perform, that very small job is served up to the conscious mind, which executes the work and then flatters itself that it was in charge all the time.”
With this nugget of information you now have the power to radically transform your life. To continue operating like a zombie with only 5% of your conscious mind, or be courageous to finally claim your full power — the one you’re aware of, and the one still waiting to be found.
