Dan J. Harkey

Master Educator | Business & Finance Consultant | Mentor

Motivation Isn’t a Mood—It’s a System. Build It Like One.

When we discuss motivation, we often envision conscious decisions, such as setting goals, making plans, and propelling ourselves forward. However, the staggering revelation that up to 95% of our behavior is driven by subconscious processes—patterns and beliefs that operate beneath our awareness-opens a fascinating window into our minds. If we’ve ever wondered why we sabotage our own goals or struggle to stay consistent, the answer likely lives in this powerful, yet often overlooked, part of our mind.

by Dan J. Harkey

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What Lives in the Subconscious?

The subconscious isn’t mystical; it’s a vast network of stored experiences, habits, and emotional imprints.  It holds:

  • Implicit beliefs: “I’m capable” or “I always fail.”
  • Emotional memories: Past successes or traumas that shape confidence.
  • Automatic habits: Routines that run without conscious thought.

Think of it as our brain’s autopilot. It’s neither good nor bad; it simply executes what it has learned. This means that our subconscious, like an autopilot, guides our actions based on past experiences and beliefs, often without our conscious awareness. That’s why some call it a “friend” when programmed with empowering beliefs, and a “demon” when filled with fear and self-doubt.

How Subconscious Thought Shapes Motivation

  • Belief Systems Drive Action
    If our subconscious holds “I’m not good enough,” we’ll unconsciously avoid challenges—even if we consciously want success.
  • Emotional Triggers Override Logic
    Stress, fear, or shame stored in memory can quickly derail motivation, rendering even the most rational plan ineffective.  These emotional triggers, often rooted in past experiences, can hijack our conscious intentions and lead to self-sabotage.  Understanding and managing these triggers is crucial for maintaining motivation.
  • Habits Outweigh Willpower
    Motivation fades, but subconscious habits persist. That’s why lasting change depends on rewiring those patterns.

Reprogramming the Subconscious for Motivation

  • Awareness First: Journal recurring thoughts and emotional triggers.
  • Visualization: Mental rehearsal strengthens new neural pathways.
  • Affirmations with Evidence: Pair positive statements with tangible actions to make them believable.
  • Environment Design: Surround ourselves with cues that reinforce desired behaviors.
  • Mindfulness: Meditation helps surface hidden beliefs and reduce automatic reactivity.

The Bottom Line

Our subconscious is not our enemy—it’s our operating system.  If we don’t intentionally program it, old scripts will run the show. But with the power of alignment, we can take control.  By aligning our subconscious beliefs with our conscious goals, we suddenly gain the power to direct our motivation. It becomes less about force and more about a powerful, inspiring flow of energy towards our aspirations.