Are you aware :: our unconscious brain works 4x faster than our conscious one?
Our unconscious brain function plays a crucial role in how we perceive and interact with the world. This automated mindset bubbles up both positive and negative behavior.
In all actuality, nerd tip :: 85%-95% of our behaviors are motivated by our subconscious beliefs, habits, and biases.
So, what’s exactly positive about being in automation mode?
Our brain is a beautiful organ of experience pushing us toward…
Increased Efficiency :: unconscious processing allows us to perform many tasks without conscious effort.
Pattern Recognition :: our unconscious mind is excellent at making associations, connections - benefiting problem-solving and decision-making.
Habit Formation :: our automated mindset helps us form and maintain habits helping with routine tasks + self-discipline.
…& what are our reactions driven by up to 95% of the time, unconsciously?
Limited Awareness :: unconscious processing occurs without our conscious awareness, meaning we may not fully understand why we feel or behave certain ways.
Bias + Stereotypes :: these can influence our thoughts, attitudes and actions without us realizing - leading to discrimination and unfair judgments.
Difficulty Adapting :: because our habits and thought patterns mostly operate beneath the surface of conscious awareness, it becomes challenging to break the behavior.
How do we tip the scale in reacting more with our conscious mind vs unconscious?
There are many practices to adapt in allowing the conscious mind to bubble up more often, here are a few to consider…
Train the Brain
Regular practice can improve your behavior + reaction times. Take a moment to slow down allowing your brain to assess the situation and shift to conscious decision making.
Activating Mindfulness
Limit your distractions and be grounded in the moment so you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings to then react to what’s in front of you consciously.
Visualize
Being more aware of your environment and anticipating potential challenges will help your conscious mind take the lead. By mentally rehearsing, your brain will develop a plan for you to have access to when needed.
If these aren’t necessarily your vibe, good news :: there are plenty other ways to nudge out of the unconscious/automated mindset and root yourself in the present.
This is not a practice to accomplish in isolation - lean on those close to you as well as expand your crowd; learning from others experiences will rewire how you have always approached living.
I’ll leave you with this, one question I often ask myself and clients to think through personally and professionally :: just because it is the way it has always been done, does it make it right?
We are creatures of routine, breaking outside that mindset will allow for a lighter and happier existence!
