Knowledge paves the way to compassion

Over the past few years, I have realized that some of what I share about the subconscious mind and limiting beliefs is not common knowledge. Each of us is an expert in multiple areas, and over time we tend to forget that not everyone has the same base level of knowledge that we do in those areas. We’ve lived and breathed it for so long that we just take some terms and concepts for granted. I’ve recently learned how important it is to keep sharing this information because knowledge paves the way to compassion.

Compassion for clients

I was talking with a group of coaches and realized many of them did not understand how hard it can be to get past some subconscious beliefs. As we talked, I could see them thinking about certain clients and realizing that maybe – just maybe – those clients weren’t unmotivated or lazy or lacking willpower. Maybe they had blocks that were truly difficult to get past. The subconscious doesn’t respond well to logic or data, so if it’s not supporting your conscious goals it can be really challenging to override those limiting beliefs. And sometimes it is a consistent ongoing effort, which drains energy and causes stress. When we are stressed out, our decision-making, relationships, and physical well-being are impacted. So while it may be that a client is not putting in the effort expected, it is also possible that this may be harder than it seems and that they deserve a little compassion for the difficulty they are facing.

Compassion for others

Of course, coaches aren’t the only people who benefit from understanding the subconscious. It can help in your relationships with anyone! Feeling impatient with someone in your life who keeps repeating the same patterns that don’t support them in some way? Or who keeps promising that they will change something about themselves and it doesn’t happen? Maybe they don’t really want to change and maybe they just say that to end a conversation about it. But maybe they have a belief that makes that change really difficult for them. A little compassion can go a long way in situations like that.

Compassion for self

Where I see a lack of compassion the most is with ourselves. Most people are much harder on themselves than they are on others. If you fail to do something when you planned to or don’t do it as well as you had wanted to, what does your conversation with yourself sound like? Could you be a little more understanding if priorities had to change? Or a little more encouraging if you are trying to learn something new? Stop for a moment and give yourself a little grace. And then think about what did or didn’t happen and why. Do you recognize that you have a pattern of avoiding certain things or getting stressed out about particular activities?

Clues to the reason

Those patterns are clues. About your beliefs or those of others. Get curious about what might be causing those patterns. Expand your knowledge about the subconscious. And in the process, try a little compassion. I would much rather start from there than assume the worst and make everyone involved feel like they have failed. If you want to read more about this, visit my Resources page and help yourself!