The subconscious mind doesn’t differentiate between positive and negative. It takes everything literally. If you continually tell yourself you’ll fail, chances are you will. As Henry Ford put it, “If you think you can, or if you think you can’t, you’re right!”
Your subconscious is like a computer storing files you’re not actively using. Experts estimate that the subconscious controls over 90% of our actions and influences how we show up in life. Dr. Bruce Lipton of Stanford University explains:
“Most people don’t even acknowledge that their subconscious mind is at play when, in fact, it is a million times more powerful than the conscious mind, and we operate 95–99% of our lives from subconscious programs.”
The subconscious governs everything from involuntary actions (like breathing) to automatic habits—like driving to work without remembering the journey. It stores your emotions, beliefs, and memories and runs on repetition, habits, and commands from your conscious mind.
Your Subconscious “Files”
Think of your subconscious mind as a system of “files” created from experiences, influences, and the people around you—parents, teachers, colleagues, and mentors. These files determine how you show up, what actions you take, and what you avoid.
• If you’ve been given the right files—beliefs, knowledge, and habits—you’re equipped to achieve your goals.
• If the files are missing, outdated, or corrupted (like a computer virus), your results will reflect that.
As Harv Eker, author of Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, explains:
“If your subconscious ‘blueprint’ is not set for success, nothing you learn, know, or do will make much of a difference. By changing your subconscious programming, you take the first essential step to changing your results.”
The Two Essential Files
Mastering the subconscious mind comes down to:
1. Your Habits: Repeated actions that reinforce how you live and show up.
2. Your Worth Barometer: Your beliefs and self-esteem, which set the “blueprint” for your results.
To assess your current programming, look at the results you’re getting. If they’re not aligned with your goals, it’s time to rewrite the files: update habits, strengthen beliefs, and consciously choose new ways of thinking.
How Journaling Can Help
Journaling is one of the most effective tools for reshaping your subconscious programming. By writing regularly, you create space to:
• Identify limiting beliefs: Bring unconscious thoughts and patterns to the surface where they can be examined.
• Challenge your blueprint: Replace unhelpful habits and negative self-talk with intentional, empowering ideas.
• Reinforce new habits: Repetition is key for the subconscious mind. Writing down affirmations, goals, or reflections helps solidify new files.
• Unpack your emotions: Processing unresolved feelings prevents them from running unnoticed in the background.
Over time, journaling allows you to rewrite the “files” in your subconscious mind—helping you align your thoughts, beliefs, and habits with the future you want to create.