Is it possible to change?
What if the way we experience things in our life, our perception of our reality, how we feel and react could be altered? It sounds like the potential for a sci-fi blockbuster film, but in fact it is possible.
We all have the ability to learn a new way of being, if we wish to. Whether there’s a habit we want to stop or we find ourselves struggling with the same things in relationships or we just can’t seem to shift a nagging doubt.
At any point in our life we can decide to make a change, no matter what has been in the past, what age we are or what stage of our journey we are at. And I believe making that choice to change can happen in a moment.
In the blink of an eye; change can happen.
As the saying goes, the straw that broke the camels back- that moment gives you a jolt for the last time. In that split second we decide to shift on to a new path and make the change.
Your brain has an incredible ability that you may not be aware of.
THe science for change
It was only a few decades ago that doctors were being taught that once the adult brain was fully formed it was set in stone. The saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ was used to reinforce this belief. Today, with the advancement of science and the advent of the ability to study the brain in more detail with brain scans, we now have the evidence that the brain has the incredible ability to alter and grow with us as we age.
Neural networks, the pathways in our brain and body that carry information are in constant change. They are pruned off if they are not used but through neurogenisis they also create new neurons which can carry a new thought or behaviour. If we repeatedly fire this neuron by using it then it forms a more solid connection which is called neuroplasticity and vital in learning.
New connections and networks are able to be grown at any stage of our life, although our brain does this most rapidly in childhood. Through out our life our brain is continually growing and evolving. If there was a skill you learnt early in life, such as reading music or how to do long division and now can no longer remember how to do it you have experienced this capacity. The neural networks that aren’t used are pruned back and allow us to keep our brain function current. Perhaps in the last year you have learnt a new skill or taken on a new habit? This is your ever changing brain making new connections allowing you to take on the new skill. Everyday our brains adapt and grow to accommodate our new experiences and environment. This allows us to adapt and be flexible in how we behave and what we believe. Even reading this blog your brain has altered, new neural pathways are grown with this new information!
It can’t be that easy?
With neuroplasticity we are able to alter old patterns and behaviours that no longer serve us. The caveat is we do need to choose to alter it and repeatedly so. Much like any new habit, we need to actively make the choice and repeat multiple times. Once we know how we would like to be instead, we have to repeatedly activate the new networks in order for them to stick. By repeatedly firing the new neural network, it will go from a new path to a well-trodden road and eventually a motorway as it is cemented in. This is commonly referred to as ‘what fires together wires together’.
It is worth noting that the more we repeat an unwanted thought or behaviour, we will also be hard wiring this thought or behaviour in to your network. So it needs to be something you truly do desire and want to change. Our subconscious mind will resist the change so getting clear on what the change will get for you will help to focus your motivation.
If you’ve had a thought or behaviour that you’ve repeated many times in the past and are wanting to change it, don’t lose faith.
It may take time but it does work. You may find it helpful to work with someone to stay focused and motivated.
A top tip for helping to rewire is to add emotion to the mix.
It’s very likely that in gaining the original belief there is a strong emotion that is linked to the thought or behaviour you want to rewire, whether that is positive or negative. We tend to remember those memories more. So in order to increase your success rate, adding a strong emotion of why you want the change to your intent will amplify your result.
The first step to creating a new way of being is acknowledging we want something to change.
Recognise which parts are unhelpful to you and are stopping you from getting what you would rather have.
Once you understand what is stopping you, in working with a coach you can identify how you would rather things were and learn strategies and techniques to help you move forward in your live.
Working on your personal development is a gift to yourself, not just today but one that in the future you will be grateful you took. Empowerment comes through taking back control and taking action.