What is Mental Programming?

 "You will become what you think about most; your success or failure in anything, large or

small, will depend on your programming - what you accept from others, and what you say

when you talk to yourself." ~ Shad Helmstetter

The human mind is fascinating and a topic of many studies. To help with understanding, the analogy of a computer is often used.

The brain is the physical component and often likened to computer hardware.

The mind is composed of two parts, the conscious and subconscious.

The subconscious is often referred to as the unconscious, but the two terms are interchangeable.

Your mind, which controls your thoughts, actions and beliefs is often referred to as the software.

If your mind is the software that controls everything you think and do, then it is important to realize that its programming began from birth.

Everything you saw, heard or felt was taken in and accepted as truth.

Your subconscious mind accepts what it is told as truth.

The person you are now is a result of years of programming. You may have bad habits that you have picked up such as nail biting, a phobia such as a fear of the dark, or low self-esteem. These will all be a result of something you have experienced during your life and are ingrained into the way you live now.

Can you change your behavior, thoughts or belief?

Dr. Shad Helmstetter, author of 'The Power of Neuroplasticity' believes that every thought results in rewiring in the brain and that this consequently creates a change in life. He believes that,

"What we believe determines our attitudes, affects our feelings, directs our behavior and determines our success or failure."

It is therefore evident that we can change our thoughts and behavior by rewiring our brain. This rewiring or changing connections is Neuroplasticity. Studies have shown that connections in the brain can be changed and these result in a change of habits, thoughts and feelings.

The key to successful mental programming is… you!

If you want to create a change in your life then you need to believe in yourself, your ability to change, and to succeed in making the change. It is essential that you are fully committed to making the change.

The following is the pattern of mental programming identified by Helmstetter:

The mental programming creates belief.

These beliefs then create our attitudes.

Our attitudes in turn create feelings.

Our feelings determine our actions.

Finally our actions create results.

As you can see, you are the key component in the process of mental programming and if you are not committed or do not fully believe in it then it is highly unlikely that it will be successful.

"Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think." ~ Gautama Buddha 

To create a new mental program you need to identify the change you need to make and choose the method to reprogram your brain. This could be coaching, self-hypnosis, the use of visualization or affirmations.