The gatekeeper to change
In order to be successful in creating a new habit we need to firstly engage with our gatekeeper to change.
Our subconscious mind.
Our unconscious mind is wired in to our autonomic nervous system. Much like you not needing to consciously choose your heart to beat, to flex your diaphragm to breath or your gut to start to digest your food your unconscious mind runs on autopilot. We can however become aware of the programs it is running by intentionally noticing its patterns, much like placing your hand on your heart and feeling it beat.
One of the prime functions of the unconscious is to keep you safe. It is connected to the reptilian part of our brain which function is to ensure our survival and to procreate. To sustain our survival we must have food, protect our territory and our ‘tribe’. Status and power can also play a part in maintaining our safety. If we reflect on our strong instincts they can be traced back to this ancient part of our brain and its drive to maintain these areas. Boundary disputes and road rage are linked to these drivers.
Our unconscious programs run on auto pilot as it takes up less energy leaving the CEO of our brain, the prefrontal cortex, to complete its tasks such as logical thinking, cognitive behaviour and our executive function. This forms our conscious mind.
To consciously over ride the unconscious with will alone can be a struggle as the unconscious has incredible power compared to the conscious mind. Be kind to yourself if you’ve tried before to change a habit and struggled. By having the right knowledge and support you can make changes you desire. You just need to know how to best work with both.
Read on for 4 tips to help you create what you want.
stretch your comfort zone
Our comfort zone is where we feel comfortable because it’s familiar. What is familiar is safe and there is no threat. Our unconscious knows if staying there has kept us alive then it prefers to keep us there. But just outside of our comfort zone is where the growth is. This is where we will create change and new neural pathways to something different. Although the stretch will be uncomfortable, this is completely normal and we will acclimatise to it. It is important to not overstretch. Much like warming up a muscle, the movement should be gentle and measured to be of most benefit. If we notice it is no longer a stretch, you can decide if you’d like to reach a bit further.
2. Pick your moment
It is common for our good intentions to get hijacked during stress or when we are tired. As concentrated change takes energy and effort make sure you are in the right place to make the change. Reduce your stress so you are not in a state of Fight and Flight. Your gatekeeper will prioritise keeping you safe over change. So make sure you are in a calm and safe space when creating a new habit.
The same is true when we are tired. We are more likely to slip back in to old routines when our resources are low. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise and get outside as often as you can.
3. ride the wave
To gain access to the unconscious we need to be in Alpha brainwaves. This is when we are relaxed and calm state. Practising meditation can be used to access this state more readily. The best time of day to set your intention and visualise your goal is when you have just woken. By setting your intention as you wake you also can harness the power of another part of your brain which can help you achieve your change at the start of the day. The reticular activating system or RAS for short.
4. use it or lose it
Our unconscious mind has no notion of what is important to the conscious you. It responds to where you place your focus most. Your unconscious will pay attention to the thoughts and behaviours you repeat the most. The key to wiring in a new habit (and creating an embedded neural pathway) is by intentionally repeating the same habit, thought or behaviour again and again as many times as possible when ever you can.
Be mindful of where you place your focus repetitively. Your unconscious will prioritise what you spend time thinking about and doing.
Look out for future blogs on how to tap in and utilise these powerful resources with in you. In the mean time, check out the next blog on ‘Powerful tips for successful habit change’.