There’s three types of thinking: conscious thinking, subconscious thinking and unconscious thinking. Conscious thinking is the “here and the now” – feeling your feet in your shoes, seeing the sunlight reflecting on the water, being aware of your thoughts and your feelings. It is the place where critical “thinking” takes place.
Your subconscious thinking is where your emotions are based. You have access to this information, but become more aware of it as soon as you focus your attention on it. However, you are mostly “asleep” in this state. It is similar to functioning on autopilot. An example of this autopilot thinking would be driving to work in the mornings – you don’t have to think about the road, where to turn, remembering to use your indicator, yet when you blink, you are there. You were on autopilot.
Memories are stored in the unconscious part of thinking. It is primitive and instinctual, and your access here is limited.
It is true that 70 % – 90 % of our time we spend on autopilot, “reacting”. Our morning routine, our rituals at work, making coffee, engaging in conversations with colleagues, our children, our partners.
These rituals become habits, and habits are children of our belief system. Underlying belief systems are what we believe deep down, and these thoughts that guide our behaviour and habits. An example of an underlying belief system can be that there is just not enough time in the day. If this is your belief system, you will never have enough time in the day. You will be late and always rushing and under pressure to get everything done in time. If your belief system is that you can’t…… be a public speaker, you can’t do a cycle race, can’t cook, can’t successfully pursue your dreams – you won’t! Henry Ford said that “If you think you can or you can’t, you’re right”. You can’t outperform your belief system.
It is these belief systems which generate your thoughts and direct your behaviours which in turn generate your results. If you are not awake.
How does one move from autopilot, habitual thinking to conscious thinking?
You WAKE UP. Become more aware of things and people around you. Start thinking critically about your life, your purpose and your goals and how you are going to align yourself to achieve this.
The more awake you are, the more conscious you become, the more critical your thinking and the better your results!
Coaching can help with this process of moving you from subconscious, autopilot thinking to conscious, critical thinking. It engages you in critical thinking and brings you to insights about yourself and your life.
Coaching is a process of:
• Moving forward
• Planning and strategizing
• Setting goals
• Establishing deadlines
• Positive and measurable outcomes
It is a solutions focussed processes, closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in your personal or professional life. It is getting there in the shortest time frame… you will be awake and aware and your results will reflect this energy.