Thrive Global author Benjamin Hardy argues that the subconscious is not a blind force: it can be controlled
“Your subconscious mind works continuously while you are awake and while you are asleep.” - Napoleon Hill
Your subconscious mind never rests and is always on duty because it controls your heartbeat, circulation and digestion. It controls all vital processes and functions of your body and knows the solutions to all your problems.
What happens on the subconscious level affects what happens on the conscious level. In other words, what happens inside, even unconsciously, eventually becomes reality. Hill says: "The subconscious mind is transformed into its physical equivalent in the most direct and practical way."
Therefore, your task is to direct your subconscious mind towards the results you are striving for. Plus, you can tap into your subconscious mind to release hidden connections and solutions to your problems and projects.
Here's a simple procedure.
Ten minutes before bed
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“Never go to bed without asking your subconscious mind.” - Thomas Edison
It is a common practice for many of the world's most successful people to deliberately direct the work of their subconscious during sleep.
How?
Take a few minutes before going to bed to meditate and write down what you are trying to achieve.
Ask yourself a lot of questions related to this case. In the words of Edison, make a few "requests." Write these questions and thoughts down on paper. The more specific the questions are, the clearer the answers will be.
While you sleep, your subconscious mind will start working on these questions.
Ten minutes after waking up
Research confirms that the brain, especially the prefrontal cortex, is most active and creative right after awakening. Your subconscious mind was scattered while you slept, creating contextual and temporary connections. Creativity builds bridges between different parts of the brain.
In a recent interview with Tim Ferris, Josh Weitzkin - a former chess prodigy and world Taijiquan champion - reveals what morning habits are designed to reveal the subconscious breakouts and connections experienced during sleep.
Unlike 80% of people between the ages of 18 and 44 who check their smartphones within 15 minutes of waking up, Weitzkin goes to a quiet place, meditates, and writes in his diary.
He dumps his thoughts into his diary for a few minutes. So instead of focusing on incoming information, as most people who check notifications, Waitzkin focuses on outgoing information. This is how he penetrates into the higher realms of clarity, learning and creativity - what he calls "crystallized intelligence."
Unless you are a seasoned journalist, the idea of “dropping thoughts” can be difficult to implement. In my experience, you should try to freely direct your thoughts towards your goals.
Consider the “requests” you made to your subconscious before bed. Ask yourself a lot of questions. Think about what you are trying to achieve and write it down. And first thing in the morning, when your brain is at its most creative, after subconsciously training it during sleep, start writing down everything that comes to mind about these things.
This is how I often find ideas for the articles I am about to write. I have ideas about how I can become a more worthy husband or father to my three adopted children. The goals that I should achieve become clearer to me. I am getting information about people I need to contact or how I can improve my current relationship.
Of course, you need to practice this skill. It may take you a few tries before you master it. But over time, achieving creative and intuitive bursts will become easy and automatic.
Conclusion
“A person cannot directly choose circumstances, but he can choose thoughts and thus indirectly but firmly shape circumstances.” - James Allen
Mental creativity always precedes physical creation. Before a building is physically built, a plan is created.
Your thoughts are a blueprint for a life that you build step by step. When you learn to direct your thinking - both consciously and subconsciously - you will create conditions that will make the achievement of your goals inevitable.
You are the builder of your destiny. This simple habit will help you clarify where you want to go and how you want to get there.