Let’s find out what holds us back from exploring and experiencing the many new things we could do to grow and bring more joy and fulfillment into our life. Today in our known environment, we are comfortable and continue with our same routine. With no or just little effort we can stay in our comfort zone and continue to do the same, continue the status quo. Our habitual activities bring us the same results. ‘Rubbish in = rubbish out’ says it all. We wonder why we do not get different results.
In previous newsletters, I shared with you the power of our subconscious mind. Our paradigm, beliefs, habits and self- image are stored there, in short we can also call it our ‘programming.’ Our programming is evident in our actions and habits and ultimately responsible for our results.
When we start something new we disrupt our programming and run against our perceived limits. You actually experience this often but now you can understand what is going on.
As soon as we reach the limits of our comfort zone, we are afraid of pursuing and enjoying what we are longing for, especially for an extended period of time. We create a series of unpleasant thoughts to deflate ourselves and what we want. We manufacture thoughts to make us return to the state we are more familiar with, the status quo. We block our own success, we create negative thoughts of “not being worthy,” and all of this makes us revert back to previous habits and non-goal achieving actions.
Very importantly, we can even feel sick or tired just because of this. Actually, our body is going into dis-ease because the conscious mind is interested in the growth but the subconscious mind is not on the same page. The programming has not changed.
How Can You Apply This?
The struggle of our subconscious trying to hold us at the status quo and the want of the conscious mind to follow the goal affects us emotionally and often physically. Just pay attention to how you feel.
The beauty is that you now realize that feeling at ‘dis-ease’ or emotional dissonance represents growth, or at least the opportunity for it if you act on it.
Awareness Exercise
Increase your awareness and explore the following:
Think about your current situation, what you are feeling? Explore each aspect of your life - work, leisure, travel, relationships and more.
Move in various directions, ‘try it on’ (like a new sweater vs. a jacket), try on various new things and explore how it makes you feel. What does your body say? Do you have more energy and feel lighter? Or do you feel more energy or fatigue? Nourished by the idea or an urge to eat or drink to feel better?
Please note, the barriers in your life that hinder your success are only in your mind, they are immaterial and only real to the extent you allow yourself to believe them to be real. They do affect your body especially when the conscious mind and the subconscious are in dissonance, your body will be in dis-ease.
Now you can understand the invisible barriers to growth and remind yourself that you will only grow when you feel that uncomfortableness. As long as you stay in your comfort zone, you will not only stay the same but actually go backwards.
When you invite your thoughts to shift toward the new goals and actions, you will run into the barrier - but now embrace the barrier! It’s a sign of growth and tomorrow your new reality, beyond the barrier and limits, will be your comfort zone.
Ulrike Berzau, is a certified Thinking Into Results consultant and holds a Master Degree in Management, a Master Degree in Health Science, Physical Therapy, and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executive.
She has an impressive track record as coach, mentor and healthcare executive in the United States, Egypt and Germany leading and coaching individuals and organizations achieving exceptional results.
Ulrike is a consultant with an unwavering passion for igniting the talent and brilliance in others and her international and multicultural experiences allow her to relate to a diverse audience.
Ulrike is the co-author of the International Best-Seller 'Imagine a Healthy You' and uses her coaching, leadership, business and healthcare skills and experiences to be of service to those who aspire excellence and extraordinary results.
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