The way (in vastly oversimplified terms) the subconscious works is like this:
- Information is taken into the brain through the senses.
- The subconscious brings forward all the information related to the information.
- We use this information to inform our choices in the moment.
Most of the time this process happens in a straightforward way.
- I see my friend. My subconscious tells me how much I love them. I greet them with a big hug.
- I see a car speeding towards me. My subconscious lets me know that 1800lbs of metal hitting me at full speed is dangerous. I jump out of the way.
This process also happens in not so subtle ways. I smell fresh bread and I think of my grandfather. I hear “The New Kids On The Block” and I think of being 13.
There are times when this happens in such a subtle way that we are not able to connect the dots at all. All of a sudden we feel stressed or sad. Something in our environment reminds us of something painful from the past, but we don’t consciously know what that memory or association is.
There is a simple way to tap for this without having to know what the subconscious is tuning into, and if we tap for it when we sit down to work we can ensure we are fully present to what we are doing.
This week I want you to use a simple process each time you sit down to tap that will clear any unknown emotional charge you have for the environment in which you are working. It won’t take more than 5 minutes and it will make you much more productive.
1) Sit down where you are going to work and take 3 deep breaths to get settled and focused.
2) Slowly look around you and scan your environment. Look at your work surface, the walls, the floor, and the whole room. Don’t rush. Don’t try to think of anything in particular. Just observe the space.
3) Take a deep breath, pay attention to any emotions that you are feeling. You don’t need to focus on investigating why they are there, or what they are about. Simply name the emotion and name what it feels like in your body.
4) Scan the room again. If any new emotions show up or the old emotions intensify repeat step 3.
It is really that simple and it will make a huge difference.
Thank you Gene this simple tool is truly very powerful!
As I work from our home I can tell you that I was surprise to witness all the emotions that rushed in my mind and in my body in such a short space of time!
I do appreciate being in your One Year Program, being à therapist i’m happy to continue my personal process with your help.
We often send you many thoughts from normandy and share your tools ank links with the english speaking friends around us !
Renée.