Deliberate Subliminal Unlearning
What is this exactly? It means to consciously work towards undoing the subliminal learning inclinations that one can fall victim to.
To illustrate an example — I believe that it is necessary to constantly remind oneself of a higher purpose, deeply-held beliefs, and the idea that identity is not something that is unable to be changed.
As James Clear mentioned in his book, “Atomic Habits,” many people tend to slip back into the mental grooves in a cognitive slumber, allowing themselves to effectively limit their identities, because of how they perceived themselves.
“I’m not good at math.”
“I’m terrible at directions.”
These are falsehoods. One can always improve at math and directions. What needs to happen, aside from deliberate and constant practice, is also to remind yourself that you are indeed not incapable of overcoming these challenges, and to actively take consistent steps to improve in that aspect.
And it doesn’t stop there — unlearning doesn’t come easily. It surely doesn’t happen overnight, and this is why you have to learn to love the struggle. To embrace the duality that exists — there can be no growth if there is no struggle.
It’s as simple and straightforward as Michael Strahan put it, “We’re our own worst enemy. You doubt yourself more than anybody else ever will. If you can get past that, you can be successful.”
Learning is a process that never stops. It’s only when we allow ourselves to become complacent that we stop growing. What is most important is to constantly strive towards the sky.
To strive for the sky means never stop trying to reach new heights. This applies to every aspect of life, whether at home, at work, or with friends. The journey to becoming and doing better never ends.
So, please — be kind to yourself. Don’t allow yourself to be caught in such a trap. We may not always feel confident in our abilities, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t trust the learning process. As long as we push ourselves, are consistent in our efforts, the fruits will definitely come.