The Power of Your Subconscious Mind: Understanding the 95 to 5 Concept

Have you ever wondered why you can not seem to shake a bad habit, or why you keep repeating the same patterns of a behavior despite your best efforts to change? The answer may lie in your subconscious mind.

According to the “95 to 5” subconscious idea, 95% of our thoughts, behaviors, and actions are determined by our subconscious mind, while only 5% are controlled by our conscious mind. Say what?

While our conscious mind is responsible for logical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving, our subconscious mind is like the storehouse of all our experiences, beliefs, emotions, and memories. It is part of our mind that operates below the level of conscious awareness, influencing our thoughts and behaviors without us even realizing it.

What is the 95 to 5 Concept?

The 95 to 5 Idea implies that our conscious mind has little control over our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We may think we are in control, but in reality, our subconscious mind is the one calling the shots. 

This revelation can be both: empowering and disempowering, depending on how you look at it.

On the one hand, it means that we have the power to change our lives by reprogramming our subconscious mind. If we can change the beliefs, emotions, and memories stored in our subconscious, we can change the way we think, feel, and behave.

On the other hand, it also means that we may be sabotaging ourselves without even realizing it:

If our subconscious mind is responsible for 95% of our thoughts, behaviors, and actions – we may be holding ourselves back with limiting beliefs, negative self-talk, and other subconscious patterns that we’re not even aware of. Arrgh!

This can make personal growth and self-improvement challenging and sometimes frustrating, as we struggle to overcome deeply ingrained patterns of thought and behavior.

The Role of the Subconscious Mind in Shaping Behavior

Neuroscience suggests that the subconscious mind is a complex and dynamic system intimately connected to cognitive and emotional processing. It plays a key role in shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

The subconscious mind is not located in a specific region of the brain, but rather refers to mental processes that occur outside of conscious awareness. 

The brain is capable of processing vast amounts of information without conscious attention! Just think of your every day – how you brush your teeth in the morning while thinking about your dinner at night and whatnot – all on autopilot. 

Neuroscientists have identified several brain regions involved in subconscious processes, including the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and other areas involved in memory, emotion, and perception. 

Let’s have a look at the amazing operating machine reigning in our heads:

The Triune Brain: Understanding Its Three Parts

(coined by the American physician and neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean in the 1960s)

The neocortex is the outer layer of the brain involved in a variety of higher-order functions such as sensory perception, cognition, and consciousness. 

The prefrontal cortex, on the other hand, is a specific region within the neocortex responsible for executive functions such as planning, decision-making, working memory, and personality expression.

In other words, the prefrontal cortex is a subregion of the neocortex that is specialized for certain functions, whereas the neocortex as a whole is involved in a broader range of cognitive processes.

The mammalian brain, also known as the limbic brain or emotional brain, evolved in early mammals. It can store memories of actions that produced either positive or negative experiences, making it responsible for generating human emotions. The limbic system, a part of the mammalian brain, is also responsible for value judgments that can greatly impact our behavior, often without conscious awareness.

The reptilian brain – or Primal Brain (Basal Ganglia) – is the oldest of the three parts, and controls the body’s vital functions such as heart rate, breathing, body temperature, and balance. Our reptilian brain includes the main structures found in a reptile’s brain: the brainstem and the cerebellum. It is in charge to protect us. It is where our fight, flight, or freeze responses are triggered – and which keeps us hostage by telling us it is safe in our comfort zone, holding us back to take steps into the unknown, even if that is what we actually want to improve our lives. 

“An enormous portion of cognitive activity is non-conscious, figuratively speaking, it could be 95 percent; we probably will never know precisely how much is outside awareness.”

-Emanual Donchin, a psychologist from the University of Illinois

Bob Proctor’s Approach to Subconscious Reprogramming

Bob Proctor (July 5th, 1934 – February 3rd, 2022) was a well-known speaker and author in the field of personal development who has spoken extensively about the power of the subconscious mind. He is often quoted in discussions about the “95 to 5” subconscious idea and has shared his thoughts on how we can become more aware of and intentional with our subconscious programming.

According to him, our subconscious programming is the result of years of conditioning, which can be difficult to change without conscious effort. He suggests that in order to change our subconscious programming, we need to first become aware of our limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns.

Bob Proctor encouraged us to take action toward our goals, even if we do not feel completely ready or confident. 

 He suggested that by taking small steps towards our goals and acting as if we have already achieved them, we can start to reprogram our subconscious mind to support our success.

Bob Proctor’s message is one of empowerment and taking control of our own lives. By becoming more aware of and intentional with our subconscious programming, we can start to create the life we truly want to live.

Becoming more aware of our subconscious patterns and working to change them can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-improvement. By developing greater mindfulness and introspection, we can begin to identify and overcome limiting beliefs and behaviors to create a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

There are several steps you can take. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

One technique Bob Proctor recommended for becoming more aware of our subconscious programming is to keep a journal of our thoughts and emotions. By writing down our thoughts and feelings, we can start to identify patterns and beliefs that may be holding us back.  

Other tools and techniques that can be used to work directly with the subconscious mind:

• NLP – Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
  World leaders like Tony Robbins, Oprah Winfrey, and Warren Buffett are proponents of NLP because it is said to work through “Anchoring” and “Pattern Interrupt”.
• EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques):
  EFT is a form of energy psychology that involves tapping specific points on the body while focusing on negative emotions or limiting beliefs. It can help to release emotional blockages and reprogram the subconscious mind with more positive beliefs and attitudes.
• Hypnotherapy:
  Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses hypnosis to access the subconscious mind and help people make positive changes in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can be used to address a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and phobias.
• Visualization:
  Visualization involves creating mental images of desired outcomes or goals. By visualizing positive outcomes, and reinforcing them with positive emotions, it is possible to reprogram the subconscious mind to support these outcomes.
• Affirmations:
  Affirmations are positive statements repeated frequently to reprogram the subconscious mind with positive beliefs and attitudes. For example, repeating the affirmation “I am confident and capable” can help to overcome feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. Bob Proctor also stressed the importance of positive affirmations in reprogramming our subconscious mind. By repeating positive affirmations regularly, we can begin to replace negative beliefs with more positive ones.
• Meditation:
  Meditation is a practice that involves quieting the mind and focusing on the present moment. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mental clarity and focus, and increase self-awareness.
• Breathwork:
  From my own experience breathwork and meditation were the two strongest components of unveiling parts of the subconscious: Read more on BREATHWORK here.

• “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy:
  This classic book explores the role of the subconscious mind in shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and experiences. It provides practical techniques for reprogramming the subconscious mind to achieve success and happiness.
• “Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior” by Leonard Mlodinow:
  This book delves into the science of the subconscious mind, examining how it shapes our perceptions, decisions, and actions, and provides insights into how we can harness its power to achieve our goals.
• “You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter ” by Dr. Joe Dispenza: This book explores the connection between the mind and the body. He provides techniques for using the power of the mind to heal the body and achieve personal transformation.
• Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” by Dr. Joe Dispenza:
  Here Joe Dispenza combines science and spirituality to explain how to break free from negative habits and create positive changes by reprogramming the subconscious mind.

• “The Genie Within Your Subconscious Mind”
  by Harry W. Carpenter:
  This book provides a practical guide to understanding and working with the subconscious mind, including techniques for overcoming limiting beliefs and creating positive change.
• “The New Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz:
  This updated version of the classic self-help book explores the role of the subconscious mind in achieving success. It provides practical tools and techniques for reprogramming the mind to achieve personal and professional goals.

• “The Biology of Belief” by Bruce H. Lipton:
  Lipton, a cellular biologist, explores the connection between beliefs, the mind, and the body. He explains how changing our beliefs can impact our biology and overall well-being.

• “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”
  by Mark Manson:
  While not solely focused on the subconscious mind, this book offers a refreshing perspective on values and priorities, encouraging readers to choose where to invest their mental and emotional energy.
  I enjoy the title a lot 🙂