How to Take Control of Your Subconscious Mind (Instead of Letting It Sabotage Your Efforts)
- Natalia Yusenis
- 19 hours ago
- 6 min read
You meditate. You read the books. You repeat the affirmations. And yet—you still feel blocked. Maybe it shows up as procrastination, perfectionism, or self-sabotage. Maybe you freeze in moments when you most want to speak up or shine.
If you believe you are doing "all the right things" but still can’t seem to break through that invisible ceiling, this might be the real reason: Your subconscious mind is running the show.
And until you learn how to work with it (not against it), no amount of logic, willpower, or goal setting will give you the lasting change you’re craving.
Let’s dive in.

What Is the Subconscious Mind, Really?
Conscious vs. Subconscious: What’s the Difference?
Your conscious mind is the logical, thinking part of your brain. It’s what you’re aware of when you make decisions, learn new things, or plan your day. It accounts for about 5% of your mental activity. The other 95%? That’s your subconscious mind.
It’s the part of your mind that runs automatically—based on deeply stored beliefs, emotional memories, and patterns learned through repetition.
The subconscious is like the operating system beneath your apps. You can keep updating the surface, but unless the core code is reprogrammed, it will always default to what it knows.
Why 95% of Your Daily Actions Are Subconscious
Every time you drive a car, brush your teeth, or second-guess yourself in a meeting—you’re operating from your subconscious. That’s because it’s efficient. It doesn’t need to re-learn how to respond every time.
But when it stores limiting beliefs like:
“I’m not enough”
“Success is dangerous”
“If I shine, I’ll be judged”
...your subconscious starts running your life through fear instead of possibility.
A Pattern-Repetition Machine
The subconscious learns through repetition + emotion. That’s why childhood messages become lifelong beliefs. Your brain wires together emotional experiences with mental interpretations, and it holds onto them tightly until you teach it something new. Learn more about how the subconscious influences your decision-making and Uncovering the Science of Clinical Hypnosis.
5 Clear Signs Your Subconscious Is In the Driver’s Seat
You don’t need to be a neuroscientist to recognise the signs. If your subconscious is running the show, you may notice:
You keep repeating the same patterns (even when you know better)
You freeze or avoid taking action despite being ambitious
Your inner critic is louder than your confidence
You feel blocked or anxious when it’s time to be visible or ask for more
You self-sabotage just when things are going well
Sound familiar? You’re running on old programming. You don't need fixing, you need a mindset upgrade.
Where Do These Subconscious Beliefs Come From?
Your subconscious is like a sponge in early childhood. From birth to around age 7, your brain is in a highly suggestible state—absorbing beliefs from your environment.
Childhood Conditioning
If love came with conditions, you might now equate achievement with worth.
If emotions were dismissed, you might now disconnect from your intuition.
Cultural & Generational Messaging
"Don’t be too loud. Don’t be too sensitive. Don’t take up space."
These ideas become internalised, even if they don’t serve you as an adult.
The Impact of Unconscious Programming on Your Life
It Affects More Than Just Your Confidence
When your subconscious is wired for fear, lack, or shame, the ripple effect shows up in every corner of your life—not just in your self-esteem.
It subtly influences how you see yourself, how you expect others to treat you, and what you believe is possible for your future.
Let’s break that down:
Relationships
You might find yourself constantly people-pleasing, over-apologising, or feeling anxious if someone pulls away.This isn't about your personality—it’s often tied to subconscious beliefs about worthiness and love. If, deep down, you believe you have to earn love or avoid conflict to feel safe, your attachment style will reflect that.
Money & Success
Struggling to raise your rates or ask for what you're worth?That’s not just a pricing problem—it’s a subconscious value problem. If your mind has been programmed to believe success is selfish, or that you're not "enough" to charge more, you'll keep playing small—without even realizing it.
Career Growth
Ever hesitated to apply for a job even though you're qualified? Or stayed quiet in meetings even when you had something powerful to say?That’s your subconscious pulling the brakes. It’s trying to keep you safe from rejection, embarrassment, or judgment—even if it means keeping you stuck.
Leadership
Avoiding visibility, micromanaging your team, or second-guessing every decision?These patterns can stem from deeper fears: fear of being seen and not measuring up, fear of failure, or fear of losing control. The subconscious doesn't care about your goals—it cares about keeping you safe. And sometimes, that means holding you back
Logic Doesn’t Change Emotion
Have you ever told yourself, "I know I should feel confident, but I just don't?" That’s because your subconscious isn’t convinced. Real change happens when your body and subconscious feel safe to believe something new.
That’s where the nervous system and tools like hypnotherapy + breathwork come in. You can learn more about this in my blog How to Stop Overthinking: Break Free from Your Mind’s Endless Loop.
How to Start Rewiring Your Subconscious Mind
Awareness + Safety = Change
You can’t change what you’re not aware of. But awareness alone isn’t enough. You also need to feel safe—physically, emotionally, and mentally—to let go of old beliefs and create new, empowering ones.
That’s why my approach always starts with building safety in your nervous system before diving into subconscious transformation.
Here are four powerful tools I use with my clients every day:
1. Hypnotherapy: Go Beyond Mindset
Hypnotherapy helps you go straight to the source—your subconscious mind. It’s not just about thinking differently. It’s about uncovering the root belief behind the block, releasing it, and replacing it with a belief that supports your growth.
It allows you to:
Discover the subconscious story driving your patterns
Rewire the internal dialogue that keeps you stuck
Anchor new beliefs that align with who you’re becoming
If you’re searching for Sydney Hypnotherapy that goes beyond surface-level solutions, this is what sets the best practices apart. You can explore my full list of services here, including Hypnotherapy, Breathwork & Coaching tailored for deep transformation.
2. Breathwork: Reset the Fight-or-Flight Response
Your breath is your body’s remote control. It’s the fastest way to calm your nervous system and create space for new thoughts.
Try this:
Inhale for 4
Hold for 2
Exhale for 6
Repeat for 2 minutes
You’ll feel more grounded, present, and safe—which is the foundation for real change.
3. Affirmations That Work (Because You Feel Them)
Affirmations only work when they land. I teach my clients how to pair words with:
Emotion
Breath
Visualisation
Example: “I am safe to be seen.”Say it slowly. Breathe it in. Feel it in your body.
4. Repetition in a Regulated State
Your nervous system is the gateway to lasting change. Repeating new beliefs when you're calm—like during breathwork or after hypnosis—helps lock in new neural pathways.
Want to dive deeper into the science? Here’s a great study on subconscious reprogramming and neuroplasticity.
Ready to Shift from Survival Patterns to Conscious Power?
Here’s what happens when you stop letting your subconscious run the show:
You say what you mean without overthinking it.
You follow through without burning out.
You lead, love, and live from a place of grounded confidence.
This isn’t about becoming a "new" version of you. It’s about returning to the real you—before the world told you who you had to be.
My clients tell me:
"I didn’t expect to feel this calm so quickly. I finally trust myself." "I stopped playing small. I led the meeting like I belonged there."
And you can, too.
Recommended Reading
If this blog resonated with you, these books and resources can help you dive deeper:
The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton — Understand how beliefs shape biology and how to shift them.
The Power of the Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy — A foundational classic on subconscious reprogramming.
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza — Learn how thoughts and energy influence your reality.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the truth: You’re not stuck because you’re broken. You’re stuck because your inner programming is outdated—and that’s something you can absolutely change.
Whether your challenge is confidence, anxiety, or visibility, the real transformation begins with getting beneath the surface. Your subconscious holds the key. And with the right tools, support, and intention—you can reclaim your power.
You don’t need to do this alone.
📅 Book your free subconscious clarity session. Let’s explore how to break the old patterns and step into the real you.
You Are Not Your Patterns—You Are the Conscious Creator of Your Life
The subconscious mind is powerful. But you are more powerful. You have the ability to change your inner blueprint and create a life, business, or leadership style that reflects the truth of who you are.
The first step? Decide to take back the driver’s seat.
Let’s begin.
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