The Unconscious Key to Change
Have you ever felt stuck, like your mind is pulling you back just when you’re ready to move forward? 🤔
Take New Year’s “getting healthy” resolutions, for example.
At the start of the year, you’re on fire!! 🔥
Ambitious goals? Check.
Hit the gym three times a week.
Eat healthier.
Spend less time scrolling.
Finally tackle that side project.
For the first two weeks, you’re crushing it. Meal prepping, working out, and checking off to-do lists feels amazing.
But then mid-January rolls around, and the excitement starts to fade. A busy week at work throws you off track.
Suddenly:
Skipping the gym “just this once” becomes the norm.
Meal prepping? Who has time for that?
Social media? It’s calling your name.
The side project? Completely forgotten.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing—it’s NOT a lack of motivation...
🌳 It’s Your Brain at Work
Your brain is a pattern-recognition powerhouse, built to conserve energy and keep you safe. It thrives on routines because they’re familiar and effortless—even if they don’t align with your goals.
Think of it like walking a well-trodden path in a forest. It’s easy to follow, predictable, and comfortable. Now, imagine carving out a new trail. It’s harder, unfamiliar, and takes more effort. That’s how your brain sees change: risky and uncertain.
🔄 Why Change Feels So Hard
When life throws a curveball, your brain resists the effort of maintaining new habits. It craves the comfort of the familiar, even if it’s holding you back. This resistance isn’t failure—it’s your brain’s way of protecting you.
🚀 Breaking Through: Work With Your Brain
Lasting change begins with understanding how your brain works and using that knowledge to your advantage. Here’s how:
Start Small: Focus on one goal—like hitting the gym twice a week instead of three.
Anticipate Resistance: Plan for obstacles, set reminders, and celebrate small wins to maintain momentum.
Embrace Progress, Not Perfection: Missing a day isn’t failure. Focus on the next step forward.
By the end of February—or any timeframe—you won’t be perfect, but you’ll have built consistency. And consistency creates transformation.
💡 Your Brain’s Language
Your brain isn’t trying to sabotage you; it’s protecting you from perceived threats. The good news? You can rewire it to see change as opportunity instead of risk.
Notice the familiar patterns it clings to. Example: You automatically reach for your phone to scroll after work because it feels relaxing, even though it eats up time you want to use for hobbies or goals.
Acknowledge when those patterns no longer serve you. Example: You realize that late-night snacking, while comforting, is impacting your energy levels the next day.
Gently show your brain the value of creating a new path, one step at a time. Example: Replace scrolling with a 10-minute walk after work, enjoying how it clears your mind and re-energizes you for the evening.
⚖️ Balance Familiarity and Growth
Change doesn’t have to feel like a battle. Small shifts, compounded over time, build confidence and teach your brain that growth is worth the effort.
So, what’s one small change you’re ready to make today?
