Of course, we are much more complex than a computer, but considering humans from that perspective can help us understand how we operate a little better? Let me know what you think.
Like Computers, our minds have a dual processing system when it comes to how we operate. These are, what we commonly refer to as, the Intuitive Self and Considered Self, and both operate in tandem to help us through life. They are like the Hardware & Software files in a computer and they enable us to operate.
The Intuitive Self operates predominately at the Subconscious Level. It’s the system that’s constantly running behind the scenes. Your “Hardrive” as it were. It allows us to process and action lots of tasks without us having to “Figure it Out”. Things like -“Scratching an itch, Rising from a chair, Turning towards a load noise in a restaurant, riding a bike etc.” From instinctive “fight or flight” type processes that were with us from birth, to “learned processes” that we acquired over years programming. The Intuitive system operates automatically and quickly with little or no effort.
The Considered Self operates at the Conscious Level. It’s the “Software” side. We engage it when we are looking to “check things” or “process difficult tasks”. It allows us to consider options and come up with solutions. It focuses our mental attention on activities that demand it. It’s the place where conscious decisions are made. “So that’s where we are as long as we are awake? Well no, not really. I’ll explain it shortly. But first, how do they operate as a system?
Our Intuitive Self gathers all the information around us but it’s the Considered Self that provides the filter and selects the information that it considers to be relevant. For instance, when you enter a packed room and you are looking for your friend. You see everybody and everything in the room but your Considered Self is scanning for associated imagery (eg Hair, Glasses, Jumper etc). But our Considered Self is only in charge 2-5% of the time. The majority of the time we are intuitively operating from our subconscious. Our reactions are automatic and habitual. Our Considered Self allows our Intuitive Self to “run an old file”. Therefore, if your friend is wearing glasses or a hairstyle they usually don’t, you’ll need to become more considered to find them.
Look at it like this. Your Subconscious is a massive filing cabinet of old files. When a stimulus occurs, like your colleague Paul asks you for help, your Intuitive Self goes searching for reference files like a “Paul file” in your subconscious. It takes out the file and runs the programme automatically. You respond in a “typical” manner. Because the file already exists there’s no need to bother the Considered Self. But what if there was a better way to respond?
A key difference with Top Performers is their ability to use the Considered Self to make the required changes to the Intuitive Self, “in the moment” or even beforehand. They realise that not every file is appropriate, and because they know this, their Considered Mind is more alert to challenge their Intuitive side. This allows them to be more “Aware”. They are also more used to challenging the way they have done things in the past and will consider, and try new ways. This enables them to rewrite new files to previous situations. So instead of allowing the Intuitive Self to auto react, its awareness engages the Considered Self to make conscious decisions. It searches for alternative files and considers perhaps writing a new one. These people present as “being curious” and as having a “growth mindset”. Are you and your people Curious enough to maintain a “Growth Mindest”?
Damian Shields is a Performance Coach and the owner of Focus2Succeed. He works with Leaders & Teams to help them “Get their world in Focus & Design their future”. To find out more go to www.Focus2Succeed.ie. You can contact Damian @ Damian.Shields@Focus2Succeed.ie or on 00353 (86) 2512421
