Breaking the Cycle: Rewiring Subconscious Habits for Lasting Change
Before diving in, let me start with a disclaimer: I am not a psychologist. However, through my journey as an entrepreneur and coach, I’ve discovered how profoundly our past influences our present. Often, it’s not external factors holding us back but subconscious habits and beliefs that no longer serve us. These deeply ingrained patterns can limit our growth, especially in business, where mindset is often more critical as strategy.
The mind is a wondrous thing, capable of creating any reality we give it. It’s both our greatest ally and, at times, our greatest obstacle. Over the years, I’ve hit bumps in the road, and seemed like my feet were in cement. When I began to unpack these limitations, I realized they were tied to habits and beliefs hardwired from early experiences. Even more concerning to me at the time, is that they were unconscious - automatic responses I hadn’t thought to question.
Uncovering the habits and understanding their origins was a game-changer, not just for me personally but also for my business and my team. The process of rewiring these subconscious patterns has shown me that change is not only possible but immensely empowering. When entrepreneurs recognize the impact of their habits, and learn they have the power to change them, the results can be transformative.
The Origins of Subconscious Habits
Our subconscious mind is like a sponge during our formative years, soaking up experiences, beliefs, and patterns from the environment around us. Family dynamics, cultural norms, societal expectations, and personal experiences shape the lens through which we view the world. Many of these early lessons serve us well, but others can become invisible barriers that hinder our potential.
For example, a belief instilled in childhood that “money is the root of all evil” might manifest later as an entrepreneur’s difficulty in charging their worth. A parent’s well-meaning caution to “play it safe” might create an aversion to risk, even when taking a calculated leap could propel their business forward. These beliefs aren’t inherently bad, but they’re often outdated and misaligned with our current goals.
Recognizing and Breaking the Cycle
The first step to rewiring subconscious habits is awareness. Without recognizing the patterns at play, we can’t begin to change them. Take a moment to reflect on areas where you feel stuck. Is there a recurring challenge in your business or personal life? Perhaps it’s difficulty delegating, fear of rejection, or resistance to stepping into leadership.
Ask yourself:
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What belief or habit might be driving this behavior?
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Where did this belief originate?
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Does it still serve me today?
Once you’ve identified the root cause, it’s time to challenge it. The brain’s neuroplasticity—its ability to form new connections and pathways—means that change is possible at any stage of life. By consistently interrupting old patterns and replacing them with new, empowering ones, we can create lasting change.
Practical Steps to Rewire Subconscious Habits
Again I want to emphasize that I am not a medical practitioner - the insights, tips and tactics that I am sharing are what has been shared with me to date, through courses, sitting on the couch but essentially doing the work. These are some of the things I use to reflect and pick what is not working apart:
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Mindfulness and Reflection: I try and find some time daily (often when walking) to reflect on your thoughts and behaviors. I have built a go to, when my mind challenges me and encourages an outright panic state - I tell myself that the FEAR is really "False Evidence Appearing Real". The amount of time spent visualising the worst scenario (along with the stomach acid, sleepless nights ...) and it never happens! So the time out allows for perspective to creep back in.
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Visualization: The mind doesn’t distinguish between imagination and reality. It's true! I did not believe this, but the honest truth is that your mind's reality is what you are thinking about now. Visualizing the outcomes you desire as real, and present now helps reprogram your brain to adjust and adopt those realities. (A caveat - visualising that you are a lottery winner and not buying a ticket is not going to help - Action is needed to underpin the story you are creating).
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Positive Affirmations: Replace limiting beliefs with affirmations that align with your goals. For example, shift from “I’m not good with money” to “I manage money wisely and attract abundance.” Focus allows your brain to identify what it is that you want. Great news is that focus in business helps deliver results - which ones are often dictated to by your thoughts.
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Celebrate Small Wins: Reinforce new habits by celebrating progress, no matter how small. This helps your brain associate change with positive outcomes.
The Ripple Effect on Business
When we break free from limiting beliefs, the benefits extend far beyond personal growth. For entrepreneurs, the shift can be profound:
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Increased Confidence: Letting go of self-doubt and embracing your worth enables you to show up authentically in your business.
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Better Decision-Making: A clearer mindset allows for more strategic and confident decisions.
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Stronger Relationships: Breaking habits like micromanaging or avoiding confrontation fosters better collaboration and team dynamics.
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Enhanced Creativity: Releasing fear and embracing possibility opens the door to innovative thinking.
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Financial Growth: Shifting money paradigms can lead to improved pricing strategies, better clients, and a healthier relationship with finances.
Belief: The Foundation of Change
The most powerful realization is that change begins with belief. As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in strategies, tactics, and to-do lists. But the foundation of sustainable success is powered by our mindset. When we believe we can be more, do more, and achieve more, we create the conditions for growth.
Breaking the cycle of takes time, but it’s worth it. By committing to doing the work, you’re not just improving your life—you’re unlocking the full potential of your business. The mind, when used productively, is a tool that can take you on paths you never dreamed possible.
