The more I understand human behaviour and our psychology, the more I realise how unconscious we are of our unconscious behaviours…
And the “things” in the background that are often running the show!
What are these “things”?
The Hidden Forces Running the Show
They are our beliefs (whether empowering or limiting), values, ideologies, and frameworks of how we see ourselves, others, and the world at large.
They all profoundly affect our daily actions and behaviours and how we show up in the world.
Let me ask you…
How aware are you of your beliefs, values, ideologies, and frameworks? 🤔
For many, the answer is not very, to say the least.
Being super conscious of everything that makes up our psychology would be overwhelming and send us into a mental frenzy and a spin.
Why We Have an Unconscious Mind
We have an unconscious mind for a reason.
That reason is to help process information and make decisions quickly and effectively without conscious deliberation.
This is a feature of our minds, not a bug, and it’s designed to keep us alive!
In fact, it has kept us alive throughout our evolution.
Fight-or-Flight in the Modern World
The challenge is that our mental wiring hasn’t caught up with the modern world and still sees dangers today as it did over 10,000 years ago, when the Saber-Tooth Tiger was wandering the planet!
As you can imagine, there was no time for conscious deliberation if we came face to face with a Saber-Tooth Tiger. Our brains went into “fight-or-flight” mode, and it was an automatic response to run as fast as we could or fight.
But I’d imagine our ancestors would have gotten the hell out of there in most cases!
Therefore, our unconscious mind is very important.
As alluded to, the challenge is that it’s set on survival mode by default when we don’t need to be in survival mode for the most part in the modern world.
There are no Saber-Tooth Tigers hiding around the corner ready to eat us.
This often leads us to perceive even the smallest thing as a threat, such as when someone cuts us off in traffic, and we go into a red mist and want to punch them in the face! 😬
In that moment, our “fight-or-flight” mode is activated! ✅
This doesn’t even include how our unconscious picks up on the beliefs, values, and frameworks we learn, develop, and form through our earliest years, shaping our perspective and viewpoint of the world.
How Much Control Do We Actually Have?
Getting our heads around this can be a bit of a minefield in itself. And at least for me, it makes me question how much control we actually have.
If all these hidden factors are rooted within us and affect how we show up in the world, how on earth do we “undo” all of that programming, whether it’s from an evolutionary biology (how we’re designed) or social conditioning perspective? 👀
Undoing all of this programming is not just overwhelming; it can be draining.
One thing I have realised, though, is that remaining so unconscious of our unconscious behaviours and constantly reacting to daily life doesn’t lead to a good life!
Personal Growth and Spiritual Practice as a Way of Life
This is where personal growth and spiritual practice come in…
I believe that the purpose of all personal growth and spiritual practice is to help us become more conscious of our unconscious behaviours, so that we can grow, be the best versions of ourselves, and live our best lives possible!
It’s not an overnight process.
In fact, due to how we are hardwired and the years of conditioning and programming throughout our earliest years, it often takes double—maybe even triple—the time to undo the conditioning and reprogram ourselves in alignment with who we truly are and the life we truly want to live.
Much like our health, I think personal growth and spiritual practice are to be adopted as a way of life.
This is why daily practices like journaling, meditation, etc., play a powerful role in chipping away at our programming as we learn to change our mental framework.
It’s by doing this that change will occur, and growth will happen.
The One Task Worth Doing
It’s a big old task, but it might be the only task we have to do when it comes to developing ourselves.
And, like all great journeys, they all begin with a single step.
What step are you going to take today?
Key Takeaways on Unconscious Behaviours
- The Unconscious Mind’s Influence: Your daily actions are profoundly shaped by unconscious elements like beliefs, values, and ideologies that operate in the background to help you process information quickly.
- Evolutionary Mismatch: Your brain’s survival wiring, designed for ancient dangers like Saber-Tooth Tigers, often misinterprets modern stressors, causing you to have a “fight-or-flight” reaction to minor events like traffic incidents.
- The Challenge of Reprogramming: Undoing years of evolutionary and social conditioning is not a quick fix. It often takes a significant amount of time and consistent effort to reprogramme your mind to align with the life you want.
- The Role of Personal Growth: Practices such as journaling and meditation are vital for becoming more conscious of your unconscious behaviours. They help you gradually change your mental frameworks and live a more intentional life.
FAQs for Becoming Conscious of Our Unconscious Behaviours
What are unconscious behaviours?
Unconscious behaviours are the actions you take without deliberate thought. They are driven by your underlying beliefs, values, and mental frameworks that you’ve developed throughout your life, often without even realising it.
Why do I overreact to small, everyday problems?
Your brain is hardwired for survival. This ancient “fight-or-flight” response, which was essential for facing real dangers in the past, can be triggered by modern annoyances. This is why a small event can sometimes cause a disproportionately strong emotional reaction.
How can I start becoming more aware of my unconscious patterns?
The process begins with a single step. Daily practices like journaling and meditation are powerful tools. They create space for you to observe your thoughts and reactions without judgment, which is the first step to conscious change.
Is it really possible to change years of programming?
Yes, but it requires patience and consistency. Think of it as a lifelong practice, not an overnight transformation. It’s about making small, consistent efforts to understand yourself better and gradually reshape your responses over time.
