The Power Of The Subconscious Mind
Have you ever noticed that some individuals attract success, happiness, and opportunities effortlessly, but others have to strive for them and still cannot achieve it? Why is it so difficult to overcome some habits, but so easy to acquire new ones? You may find the answers to those questions in one of the strongest inner powers that you possess – the subconscious mind.
The subconscious mind is an invisible operating system that operates constantly in the background of your life, and affects all of your thoughts, feelings, behavior, decision making, beliefs and even perception of reality. Although most people spend their entire lives being unaware of the immense power of their subconscious mind, it actually governs virtually all aspects of their lives.
Spiritual teachings, psychologists, successful businessmen, athletes and self-developers share one idea – if you learn to work together with your subconscious mind rather than against it, nothing can stand in the way of your transformation into something better.
In this article, you will learn about the nature of the subconscious mind, its functioning, immense impact on your life and methods to tap into its immense potential.
What Is the Subconscious Mind?
There are two components in the human mind:
1. Conscious Mind
The conscious mind is the component of the human mind which is used for logical thinking, making decisions, and reasoning. The mind which works while reading a book or making a conscious decision is called the conscious mind.
2. Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind works under the conscious level of the human mind. The mind stores memory, feelings, habits, beliefs, experiences, and learned behaviors. This mind works throughout the day, whether you are sleeping or awake.
An example of an iceberg floating in the sea can be used to explain the human mind. The top of the iceberg is the conscious mind, and the large base of the iceberg under the water is the subconscious mind. The part that cannot be seen controls the movement of the iceberg.
Why the Subconscious Mind Is So Powerful
The subconscious mind is very potent because it receives whatever information is impressed upon it multiple times and uses this information to make a reality of it through actions and decisions.
For instance:
- When you tell yourself over and over again that “I am not good enough,” your subconscious begins accepting it as reality.
- When you tell yourself over and over again that “I can accomplish my objectives,” your subconscious mind begins to work towards this reality.
It does not matter whether the information is true or false to the subconscious mind; the subconscious will accept whatever it is being told over and over again.
The Subconscious Mind Controls Habits
Have you ever found yourself driving somewhere familiar and then find out you barely remembered the trip?
It is because of your subconscious doing its job.
Habits are subconscious programs. Whenever an action is performed often enough, the subconscious records it and executes it automatically.
Examples include:
- Brushing your teeth
- Riding a bicycle
- Driving a car
- Typing on a keyboard
- Speaking your native language
At the same time, negative habits like:
- Procrastination
- Overthinking
- Self-doubt
- Negative talk
- Too much worrying
The good thing about all this is that whatever you have learned subconsciously, you can always replace with something better.
The Connection Between Beliefs and Reality
One of the most interesting things about our subconscious minds is how they affect our beliefs.
Our beliefs are filters through which we see the world around us.
Think of two people who applied for the same job:
Person A
Believes:
“I am able and worthy.”
They step into the interview room confidently and make an excellent impression.
Person B
Believes:
“I will fail every time.”
They go into the interview feeling nervous and insecure.
Both were in identical situations, but their beliefs subconsciously influenced their actions.
Many times, success does not depend on what is going on outside, but inside us.
The Role of Visualization
Visualization techniques are widely used by many professional sportspeople, performers, and successful people.
Visualization is about making mental images of desired results.
The more one imagines him/herself having achieved something, the more familiar this process becomes for the subconscious mind.
For instance:
- Sportspeople visualize winning events.
- Speakers visualize their successful presentations.
- Entrepreneurs visualize their flourishing businesses.
Studies have found out that visualizing results can stimulate the same areas of the brain as performing some actions.
Subconscious mind reacts powerfully to emotionally charged images.
The Power of Positive Affirmations
Affirmations are positive statements made in a consistent manner to affect subconscious beliefs.
For example:
- I am confident and capable.
- I bring positivity into my life.
- I am deserving of success.
- Each day, I grow stronger and wiser.
- I am able to overcome obstacles.
While many people do not take affirmation seriously due to its simplicity, it is the power of repetition that helps the subconscious learn.
Negative beliefs formed after years of thinking negatively can be countered by positive statements when made consistently over time.
The main thing is repetition with emotion and belief.
How Emotions Influence the Subconscious Mind
The subconscious is more affected by emotion rather than logic.
Think of some memorable moments of your past.
These will be emotionally charged events:
- Your greatest accomplishment
- Your biggest letdown
- A happy event
- A sad event
Emotions work as markers for the subconscious mind.
With every thought that is emotionally charged, it becomes deeply imprinted.
This is why fear, joy, love, thankfulness, and enthusiasm affect the subconscious programming greatly.
In order to produce positive transformation, merge your goals with positive emotions.
Do not only picture success—feel it.
Do not just envision happiness—feel the emotion mentally.
Emotions make intentions powerful.
The Subconscious Mind and Self-Confidence
One is not born with confidence.
It is mainly subconscious programming.
Individuals who look naturally confident would have subconsciously programmed themselves with:
- I can learn.
- I can improve.
- I can rise to challenges.
- Making mistakes is learning.
For those lacking confidence, there could have been negative experiences that made them subconsciously program themselves with limitations.
Fortunately, subconsciously programmed beliefs can be altered.
Every little achievement, affirmative statement, and bold step sends a message to the subconscious mind that says:
I can do it.
Gradually, one will have become naturally confident.
The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is an essential element of sub-conscious programming.
Prior to sleep, the conscious mind slows down, making the sub-conscious open to influences.
That is why most personal growth coaches advise people to:
- Read motivational stuff
- Practice gratitude
- Listen to affirmations
- Visualize their goals
The last thoughts that you have prior to sleep usually affect your subconscious mind while sleeping.
In the same way, the initial minutes when waking up can affect your mentality during the entire day.
Take good care of these minutes.
Practical Ways to Harness the Power of the Subconscious Mind
1. Listen To Your Self-Talk
Be mindful of how you talk to yourself.
In place of:
“I cannot do this.”
Write:
“I am growing and getting better.”
2. Use Visualization Daily
Devote 5–10 minutes daily for visualizing your ideal future.
Visualize it.
Feel it.
Experience it mentally.
3. Positive Affirmations
Use affirmative statements daily.
Consistency is more important than frequency.
4. Be Around Positive Elements
Reading, listening to mentors, podcasts and surrounding yourself with positive individuals will strengthen positive subconscious programming.
5. Be Grateful
Being grateful means focusing on abundance.
It is impossible to be negative and grateful at the same time.
6. Take Action Daily
Subconscious reacts strongly to the evidence.
Every step that you make strengthens your new identity.
In order to be more confident, start acting confident.
In order to be more disciplined, start practicing discipline.
Common Misconceptions About the Subconscious Mind
The misconception about subconscious mind lies in that many people think it is magical.
Although the subconscious mind has enormous powers, it is definitely not a magic wand.
Wishing alone for something without putting effort will hardly yield any effect.
The subconscious mind functions perfectly in combination with:
- Goal-setting
- Positive thinking
- Taking actions
- Persistence
- Self-improvement
A Real-Life Example
Think about the student preparing for an important examination.
In case they keep thinking,
“I will surely fail.”
Then their stress levels increase, concentration drops, and they fail.
Now consider another student who thinks,
“If I prepare well, I can succeed.”
This helps motivate them to study and persevere.
Even though both the students have the same level of intelligence, their subconscious minds make them follow different directions.
This theory is applicable to life as a whole.
Conclusion
One of the most remarkable assets that human beings have is the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind influences what we do, believe, feel, behave, and even our fate in ways that cannot be comprehended.
Anything that crosses your mind, the beliefs you hold dear, and any emotion you feel makes an impression on your subconscious mind. These impressions shape where your life is headed eventually.
The subconscious mind is not all about magic. The subconscious mind involves recognizing the process through which your internal self makes up your external reality. Through conscious thoughts, positive feelings, visualization, and actions, you get to reprogram this powerful force in your life.
The subconscious mind is always listening.
The question is: What are you telling it today?
This is because the things you think of today could determine your reality tomorrow.
