How Our Mind Shapes Our Actions
Our thoughts and beliefs play a powerful role in shaping our actions. Many people don’t realize there’s more at work behind the scenes than just conscious thought. To fully understand why we behave the way we do, we need to explore the difference between the mind and the subconscious mind, and how each one influences our lives. How Our Mind Shapes Our Actions!
The mind, often referred to as the conscious mind, is where our active thoughts, decisions, and awareness reside. It’s the part of us that is present in everyday thinking and planning. The subconscious mind, on the other hand, operates beneath the surface, controlling habits, emotions, and automatic behaviours. While we may not be fully aware of its influence, the subconscious mind plays a crucial role in how we act, feel, and respond to the world around us.
The Conscious Mind: Our Rational Thinking Powerhouse
The conscious mind is what we use when we engage in active thought, problem-solving, or decision-making. It’s responsible for logic, reasoning, and deliberate actions. When you’re planning your day, making a list of tasks, or focusing on a specific conversation, you’re using your conscious mind.
Because the conscious mind is aware and active, we often assume it’s the driving force behind most of our actions. For example, when we choose what to eat for dinner or how to respond to a colleague’s question, we believe we’re making decisions based purely on logical reasoning. While this is partly true, our conscious mind only accounts for a small percentage of our overall thinking process—about 2-4%. The remaining 96-98% is governed by the subconscious mind.
The Subconscious Mind: The Silent Influencer
The subconscious mind is where all of our deeply ingrained beliefs, habits, and automatic responses are stored. It is like the storage vault of our memories, emotions, and past experiences. While the conscious mind is focused on immediate tasks and rational thinking, the subconscious operates behind the scenes, processing information at a much deeper level.
Our subconscious mind affects our actions in ways we’re often unaware of. For example, imagine you’ve had negative experiences with public speaking. Even if you consciously tell yourself to stay calm before giving a presentation, your subconscious mind may trigger feelings of fear and anxiety based on past experiences. This is because the subconscious is wired to respond automatically, often repeating patterns that have become habitual over time.
The subconscious mind doesn’t distinguish between what is real and imagined, which is why it’s so powerful. If you repeatedly tell yourself, “I’m not good enough,” or “I’ll never succeed,” your subconscious mind absorbs these statements as truth, and they begin to shape your actions. On the other hand, positive affirmations, visualizations, and beliefs can reprogram the subconscious, helping you change the way you respond to situations and achieve better outcomes.
How the Mind and Subconscious Affect Our Actions
Our conscious mind makes decisions based on logical thought, but our subconscious mind influences our actions through deeply ingrained beliefs, habits, and emotions. Here’s how they work together to shape our behaviour:
- Thoughts Become Actions
The thoughts we consciously focus on get absorbed by the subconscious mind. Over time, these repeated thoughts turn into beliefs and shape our actions. For instance, if you repeatedly think you’re not good at a particular skill, you’ll start to avoid opportunities that would challenge you in that area, even if your conscious mind knows you need to improve. The subconscious will keep you in a pattern of avoidance because it’s working off of your past programming. - Habits Are Driven by the Subconscious
Much of what we do on a daily basis is automatic. Whether it’s the route we take to work or the way we respond to stress, these behaviours are stored in the subconscious as habits. Once a habit is formed, the subconscious mind takes over, allowing us to perform tasks without having to think about them. This is great for efficiency, but it also means that bad habits or limiting behaviours can persist unless we make a conscious effort to change them. - Emotional Responses Are Subconscious
Our subconscious mind is deeply connected to our emotions. When we encounter triggers—whether it’s a situation, a person, or a specific memory—our subconscious pulls from past experiences to create an emotional response. These responses are often automatic, occurring before our conscious mind has a chance to step in. If you’ve ever reacted emotionally without fully understanding why, that’s the power of the subconscious mind at play.
Reprogramming the Subconscious Mind
The good news is that while the subconscious mind is powerful, it can be reprogrammed. By consistently feeding it new thoughts, beliefs, and positive habits, you can change the way it influences your actions. Here are a few ways to start reprogramming your subconscious:
- Positive Affirmations: Regularly repeating positive statements can help you shift limiting beliefs. For example, telling yourself “I am confident and capable” can begin to overwrite negative self-talk stored in your subconscious.
- Visualization: Visualizing success and positive outcomes can help rewire your subconscious mind to believe in new possibilities. When you consistently imagine yourself succeeding, your subconscious starts to accept that as reality. It will work to align your actions accordingly.
- Habit Building: Since habits are stored in the subconscious, replacing bad habits with new, positive ones can shift your automatic behaviours. Start with small changes, and over time, these will become ingrained in your subconscious.
- Mindfulness: Being aware of your thoughts and feelings allows you to catch negative patterns before they influence your actions. Mindfulness can help bridge the gap between the conscious and subconscious mind, giving you more control over your responses.
Conclusion: Harnessing the Power of Your Mind and Subconscious
The mind and subconscious mind are constantly working together to shape your actions and experiences. While the conscious mind helps you think, plan, and decide. The subconscious is the true driving force behind your automatic behaviour’s, beliefs, and emotional responses.
Understanding the difference between the two allows you to take control of your actions. You can reprogram your subconscious mind and create the life you truly desire. By becoming more mindful of your thoughts, habits, and beliefs, you can shift the programming in your subconscious. This will then align your actions with your goals and values.
