Change is Hard

I’m going out on a limb by saying this but change is hard. We are all creatures of habit. To get ourselves to do something different can be equivalent to running a marathon without first training for it. Think how many times you’ve ever tried the “white knuckle” approach to something.  How successful were you?

The problem with changing our behaviors is not in our desire to do so. The problem is that we’re dealing with our two minds. The conscious mind, often called the rational mind and the unconscious mind or our emotional nature.

To change anything in our lives, these two minds have to be in agreement.

The conscious or rational mind is that part of us that is analytical and can delay gratification for long term goals or payoffs. The unconscious or emotional mind deals with pain and pleasure and is a pleasure seeking being.

The unconscious mind is interested in instant gratification. It wants things to be easy and quick. And it is the part of us that gets things done. The unconscious mind easily over rides the conscious mind when it comes to getting us to do things. The reason is that most of our behaviors are done unconsciously or without our awareness. We just do them without thinking about it.

We’ve actually created neuro pathways in the brain which run automatically whenever it’s time to do a specific behavior. You don’t have to think about how to overeat or brush your teeth.…you just do it or you could say your unconscious mind does it.

So every time you try and get your conscious mind to change a behavior through will power, you are attempting to override a neuro pathway that is practically set in stone. After a while, we actually get worn down by our own self supervision. How many times have you attempted to do something and just got fed up with the constant monitoring of your behavior? We can only do this so long before we are exhausted.

If you’ve ever tried to lose weight through dieting you know what I mean. Every morsel you put in your mouth you have to think about and weigh the pros and cons.

Another reason change is hard is because we keep changing our minds! One minute our rational mind thinks we want to lose the weight or stop drinking or get that report done and then we’re thinking about that piece of cake left in the kitchen or just one little drink won’t hurt.

So the problem isn’t that you are lazy or lack motivation. The problem is the battle between the conscious and unconscious mind. And to get these two in alignment, you have to restructure those neuro pathways.

Recently, scientists have discovered what they call Brain Plasticity where our brain cells or neurons are constantly making new pathways. This means that your brain can change! You can create the neuro pathways of your choice.

Change can then become quite easy because you’re creating on the unconscious level. So the next time you go to repeat an unwanted behavior, you find yourself doing the desired behavior.

This is part of the research that went into my development of the Neuro Pathway Restructuring™. I’ve used it with several different habitual behaviors such as smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, bulimia, picking, OCD, PTSD, anxiety disorders and Tourette’s Syndrome.  I also use a form of it in many of my workshops to assist groups to let go of limiting beliefs they may have about themselves and their ability to be, do or have what they want. To check out the workshops, go to www.DebraFentress.com.

If you’re interested in learning more about Neuro Pathway Restructuring™ , please go to: www.NeuralPathwayRestructuring.com


4 thoughts on “Change is Hard”

  1. what have you go to help older people deal with the inevitable changes that come with terminal aging…all my favorite people are dead and I am up next…how does one contemplate and accept their own death a priori???>…thanks…lt

    1. Dear Lt
      Reading this post, I find my heart going out to you. The question encompasses so many aspects that I find it a challenge to know where to begin. I would really like to help but find I would probably need more information. Having said that, I’ll give it a go.

      If we address the “inevitable changes that come with terminal aging”, that brings up the issue of our beliefs and expectations on it. Whatever we believe and expect to be true will actualize. Therefore, if someone has “limiting” beliefs about the aging process and what they might expereince, they will perceive every ache and pain as verifying those beliefs. This then becomes a self fullfilling prophecy. Unfortunately, these “limiting” beliefs are often out of awareness!

      There is also the understanding now that aging if more a product of our minds than our bodies. Recent research shows that health has to do more with the organsim responding in an adaptive manner and restoring the original integrity of the body. What this tells us is we can affect the progression of aging. Again, the “inevitable changes” may not be so inevitable.

      You mention that all your “favorite people are dead and I am up next” while asking how “does one contemplate and accept their own death”….this is a question we all have to face at some time in our lives. To contemplate the inevitable death of our body without some kind of spiritual belief system can be scary as well as lonely.

      We can’t not accept death. But we can be prepared for it. I think the best way to be prepared for death is to make sure you have lived the life you wished for. And if you haven’t, then do as much now as you can. After all, what have you got to lose? So many people look back on their lives and wish they had done things differently. We don’t have to live with regrets….we can make changes now which will enhance our lives and our relationships. Find out what has meaning for you and then do that. Connect with others…help others.

      I hope this has helped in some small way. I’d like to do more but as I said, I’d need more information. Thanks for reading and posting a comment.

      Love and light, Debra

  2. Hi Debra,

    Pls come back to the UK and teach us the advanced form of NPR!

    Love and Light,
    Felix

    1. Hi Felix,
      It’s great to hear from you! And to know you’re interested in the new and improved NPR. We’re planning on the launch of the new program the first of the year here in the US. I don’t know when I’ll be back in the UK but would love to come as I miss you all.

      I’ll keep you posted on the plans. Who knows, maybe we’ll get you over here!

      Miss you lots….Debra

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