Part One featured an exchange with Julie, much of which centered on taking things personally. After suggesting she read Don Miguel Ruiz’ classic, The Four Agreements in which he magnificently covered that topic, she not only read it and learned a lot, but then took action and wrote some meaningful paragraphs on an index card that she would now carry around with her in order to continually review.
Wow, what a great idea by Julie! I find doing that – taking an idea I want to remember, putting it on a 3×5 card, and carrying it with me everywhere I go so I can look at it and think about it throughout the day, is one of the best methods of internalizing a new “life script.”
As you probably already know, our subconscious accepts any suggestion it receives. This is true whether we insert that suggestion consciously by feeding it the ideas we want it to have, or on an unconscious level, such as via media, other people’s opinions, etc.
The choice is ours as to how we decide to “program” our brain. Actually, that’s not really true; the way it was programmed was beyond our control. What is in our control is its “re-programming.” Yes, it takes work, effort, and a desire to make it happen.
I was inspired by Julie’s suggestion and I hope you will be, as well.
Thought: Right now, choose a quote, saying or affirmation that you believe would be terrific to program into your brain. Write it on a 3×5 card and commit to looking at it continually throughout the day. Don’t expect instant gratification; immediate results. But do expect eventual results.
Here’s what I’ve found: one way or the other, our brains will be “washed.” The only choice we have is in who and what washes them; us (including the books we read, people to whom we choose to listen and those with whom we choose to associate) or those whose influence – whether intentional or unintentional – will not be the most productive for us to accept.
As Charlie “Tremendous” Jones taught so many of us: “The only difference between where you are now and where you’ll be five years from now are the people you meet and the books you read.”
Bringing that saying up to date, we can also include audio CDs and the Internet, but we know what that great man meant. 🙂
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Have just added The Four Agreements to my reading list. I struggle with that every day. Thanks for the book recommendation to not Julie but the rest of us as well. Have a great day.
Again, great post Bob. You’re right, this one concept in Ruiz’s book, can be life changing. It was for me after reading it. And I return to it mentally sometimes to remind myself, in difficult situations with challenging people.
Thanks to Julie for the good idea with index card and also to you Bob, for a plan of action.
I’m choosing my affirmation now and pulling my pen out to write.
I believe we need more teaching on the subconscious vs conscious mind! I studied it extensively in the ’80’s & am fortunate to have been re-introduced to it within the past couple of years.
16 yrs. ago I created a mantra, forced myself to look in a mirror & repeat it out loud. I locked eyes with myself & by saying it aloud, my subconscious heard it on a daily basis. It was very painful at first due to the circumstances surrounding the creation of the mantra. Now…I can lock eyes with myself and say it with boldness, confidence & posture. Yes…I still say it!
The quote by Charlie “Tremendous” Jones is a large part of why I can do this today. “The only difference between where you are now and where you’ll be five years from now are the people you meet and the books you read.” Association is key, as well as self development & books certainly provide that!
I have 3 questions I ask when I hear negative spoken against or to me:
1. Is it real? (my standard is of course what the Bible says about me)
2. Is it relevant?
3. In the light of eternity, does it matter?
Once I have ruled those out….I can continue!
Thanks so much for your insight, continual support to us & unwavering attitude toward being the best you can be. It is a “tremendous” example!
g
Bob, you always deliver great information with a timely message. I used the 3×5 card method with great success and then eventually stopped using it. I feel certain that by making this a part of my daily activity again, the results will help me, and eventually the people I interact with.
Hi Bob,
The subconscious mind is a willing partner in the creative process. It does whatever we tell it to do.
Writing a powerful idea down on an index card is a powerful way to reprogram your subconscious because the written word becomes tangible. Writing things start is the first step toward making these things real.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Bob Burg:
This post contains the key to all creative growth – There is one mind, but two functions – The entire being can be likened to a ship at sea – the conscious mind is the Captain giving the orders to the officers who maintain the ship’s course – the subconscious mind – will receive the orders and carry them out. When we are children, the captains are often deranged and so our ship may have drifted for decades in murky waters, or even crashed upon hostile shores – That is when the advice in this post is truly vital- Even if we have rather pleasantly drifted on, but have not gotten where we want to go, still, we must choose to “wash our brains” (the subconscious which brings all things to pass as it is instructed) -It is important to do this on a daily basis.
The 3×5 card is an excellent idea.
You are bringing good things to many people. I wish you an ever-expanding success.
Wayne
Thank you all, for your very kind comments. Very appreciated!!