The subconscious mind is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal when it comes to transforming our lives. It governs our beliefs, habits, and reactions, often running the show without us even realizing it. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to break a bad habit or start a new, healthier one, it’s not that you’re lacking willpower. The true challenge often lies in the workings of your subconscious mind—your inner autopilot that can either support your growth or keep you stuck in old patterns.
The good news? You can reprogram your subconscious to work in your favor. By understanding how the subconscious works and employing strategies to align it with your conscious desires, you can successfully create new habits and change behaviors that no longer serve you. One of the most powerful ways to do this is through the use of vision boards. But before we dive into that, let’s first explore why resistance to change occurs and how your subconscious plays a role.
The Role of the Subconscious in Behavior and Habit Formation
Your subconscious mind is responsible for the vast majority of your automatic thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses. It’s like the hard drive of your brain, storing everything you’ve ever experienced, learned, and believed. It controls your habits, from the way you brush your teeth to how you react in stressful situations. It also holds your beliefs about who you are and what you are capable of achieving.
When you try to make a change—whether it’s quitting smoking, exercising regularly, or starting a new project—the subconscious mind can resist. Why? Because it’s used to the comfort of old routines, even if those routines are unhealthy or unproductive. The subconscious doesn’t like change because change represents uncertainty, and uncertainty is perceived as a threat by the ego.
The ego, which is a part of your mind that deals with self-preservation and the status quo, is always looking to keep things familiar. So, when you attempt to step outside of your current habits and routines, the ego can trigger feelings of discomfort, fear, or even anxiety. This is why, even with the best of intentions, we often experience pushback from within when we try to make a change. The subconscious mind is simply doing its job—protecting you from what it perceives as danger.
This resistance is completely normal. In fact, it’s a sign that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone and into growth. But knowing that resistance is a natural part of the process can help you push through it. The key is to learn how to reprogram the subconscious mind to support your new behavior, instead of fighting against it.
Training the Subconscious with a Vision Board
One of the most effective tools for aligning your subconscious mind with your conscious goals is the vision board. A vision board is a collage of images, words, and phrases that represent your dreams, goals, and desires. It’s a visual representation of where you want to go and who you want to become.
Why does this work so well? The subconscious mind responds strongly to images, metaphors, and emotions. When you look at a vision board, your brain interprets the images not just as pictures, but as vivid, emotional symbols of what’s possible. The subconscious mind doesn’t distinguish between what’s real and what’s imagined, so when you focus on your vision board regularly, you’re essentially training your brain to start seeing the world in a new way.
Here’s how you can use a vision board to help change your behavior:
- Create a Clear, Positive Vision
Begin by defining what it is you want to achieve. Whether it’s building a new habit, like exercising regularly, or changing an aspect of your life, your vision board should be focused on the positive outcome, not just the process. For example, if your goal is to become more active, include images of people enjoying physical activities, symbols of strength and health, or even a photo of yourself looking fit and energized. - Use Emotional and Symbolic Images
The subconscious mind responds deeply to emotional and symbolic content. Rather than focusing on abstract goals like “get fit,” choose images that evoke a sense of achievement, happiness, or vitality. These emotional associations help to reinforce the change you’re trying to make at a deeper, subconscious level. - Reinforce with Affirmations
Alongside the images, include positive affirmations or words that reflect the identity you’re creating for yourself. For example, “I am strong and healthy” or “I enjoy exercising every day.” Your subconscious mind absorbs these affirmations when you read them regularly, reinforcing the new identity you’re trying to adopt. - Visualize Regularly
The key to activating the subconscious mind is repetition. Spend a few minutes each day visualizing your goals and reviewing your vision board. As you look at the images, allow yourself to feel the emotions of success and fulfillment. This not only reinforces your new behavior but also helps to integrate it into your sense of self.
Navigating Resistance: Why It’s Normal and How to Push Through
As you start using tools like a vision board, it’s important to remember that resistance is a natural part of the process. Your subconscious mind might initially resist because it’s unfamiliar with the new path you’re trying to create. Change disrupts your comfort zone, and your ego is designed to resist anything that feels uncertain or unfamiliar.
However, resistance doesn’t mean failure. In fact, it’s often a sign that you’re on the right track. Here’s how to deal with it:
- Acknowledge the Resistance
Recognize that resistance is a sign of growth. It’s the subconscious mind’s way of pushing back against the unfamiliar. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling discomfort or doubt—this is simply your mind adjusting to the new behavior. - Be Patient with Yourself
Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s important to be patient and persistent. The more you expose yourself to the new vision, the more your subconscious will begin to accept it as your new reality. - Take Small Steps
Resistance often feels overwhelming because the change feels too big or too fast. Break your goal into smaller, manageable steps that allow your subconscious mind to adjust gradually. This lowers the level of perceived threat and makes it easier for the ego to accept the new habits. - Trust the Process
Trust that the more you visualize, the more you repeat affirmations, and the more you align your actions with your new vision, the easier it will become. Your subconscious mind is like a muscle—it will strengthen over time.
Conclusion
Changing behavior and starting new habits can be challenging, especially when you’re up against the resistance of your subconscious mind. However, by understanding the role of the subconscious and using tools like vision boards, you can reprogram your mind to support your desired changes. Remember, resistance is not a roadblock—it’s a sign that you’re moving beyond your comfort zone. Be patient, stay consistent, and use your vision board to remind your subconscious mind of the future you’re creating. With time, you’ll find that new habits become second nature and that your desired behaviors begin to align effortlessly with who you truly want to become.
If you’re seeking for more support in this, just send us an email and Lena will get back to you as soon as possible. Next to teaching Pilates she’s a passionate leadership coach, helping her clients to fully step into their power when it comes to creating their dream life 🙂
