Our subconscious brain works on pre-set patterns that were engraved right from our childhood. Our beliefs are core to the way our mind functions. We create our beliefs based on the stories we tell ourselves which in turn based on the experiences we have in life right from childhood. With this background of certain core beliefs we form our values. Our core beliefs and values create our identity.
Our beliefs, values and how we identify ourselves influence our thoughts. The way we think impacts our feelings internally. Our feelings show up as emotions to external world. Our emotions display our behaviour and attitude towards the event. The current state of mind you are in would make you take certain kind of decisions in life. Our decisions and choices impact the kind of results we get at the end. Essentially our life is summary of our thoughts, decisions and choices.
To understand it like layman, imagine our subconscious brain like a circular Maze with a ball (we) in the center. Even though we know that the way out is a straight line to the exit, we need to move the ball through all the exit points from the inner layer to outer layer. No matter how much you try to hit the wall hard with the ball, the ball stays where it is unless it is moved through the maze in circle through all layers’ exit points.
Now relate the layers of walls in the maze are neural patterns that are strongly engraved in our emotional/limbic brain which works unconsciously even while we are asleep. Relate yourself navigating through all the neural patterns while responding or reacting to events in this world. We know what is in our best interests and we know what is healthy for us, but our behaviour is influenced by these patterns of our subconscious brain. This automatic part of the brain runs 95% of our life.
This hardwiring happens strongly until 7 years of age and it is very difficult to change our beliefs and values once we cross 35 years of age as per some studies. Especially upto 7 years of age, anything and everything that happens in the environment can create a neural pattern in brain. Most importantly our parents, family, friends circle, where we study, the place we grow, the air and water we are exposed to, ones culture or traditions etc,. impact our subconscious thinking and behaviour.
Fact is some of the patterns work for us and some work against us. When our decisions are impacted by unhealthy patterns, we may not get right results. So we need to especially focus to override those subconscious habits and patterns that are making us sub-optimal.
How do we break our self-limiting patterns and beliefs?
If we hit the ball to one of the layer walls of the maze enough times, at some point the wall would break. Similarly we need to overcome our self-limiting beliefs and unhealthy habits one step at a time. We need to try again and again. Keep hitting and not give up. Show up and practice to replace the existing pattern with a new healthy habit. We need to consistently force our brain to think a certain way by take action daily one step at a time gradually and steadily. When the brain is exposed to an experience enough number of times, it tends to adopt to better thinking.
Now this logic can be applied to develop good or bad habits in life. So you are the best person to judge which is healthy for you and which is not and act accordingly. You are the writer of your future and driver of your destiny.
*Do read the Disclaimer