This week I want to talk to you about why you should try to consciously do things unconsciously! I know it sounds a bit paradoxical, but by consistently doing thing through repetition, it often makes things easier for you overall. It’s really quite liberating!
Have you ever witnessed a transformation from effortful to effortless? When you consciously do something enough until it becomes second nature, what you do then seems natural and unconscious. By consciously repeating tasks, you train your subconscious to take over, which then frees up your mental space. It’s really fascinating.
Think of driving, for instance. Initially, every action requires thought, but eventually, it becomes second nature. Or take cooking as another example. You initially have to meticulously read every line of a recipe, but as you make it more, you find that chopping, mixing, and seasoning become almost automatic.
Think of it as practising something intentionally, because by choosing to do something again and again unconsciously, you soon become more proficient at it. It’s a simple but profound way that you can turn the mundane into something magical, which then makes your daily experiences so much better.
Here are some other examples.
- At first, playing a musical instrument like a guitar or piano takes immense focus. But soon, your fingers find chords and notes automatically, which then allows you to immerse yourself more in the music without thought. - Or imagine learning a new language. It is always challenging at first, but with practice, you soon learn to think and respond in that language without conscious effort and your conversations become more fluid. - Or think of typing, which usually begins with hunting and pecking at keys. But if you practise it enough consistently, your fingers eventually glide over the keyboard effortlessly and translate your thoughts into text.
But be careful. While unconscious tasks initially seem beneficial, they can lead to complacency. A conscious approach allows for mindfulness and presence in the moment, allowing continuous learning and adaptation. Doing something unconsciously can actually hinder creativity in problem-solving and the ability to think outside the box.
So this week, remember that doing things automatically can enhance your efficiency and free mental space for creativity. However, be careful that it doesn’t lead to complacency or stifle your creativity. Ultimately, you need to balance everything, but go on, try and consciously do something unconsciously - it really works!
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