Think out of the box, they say. But what's a box?

In the context of the discussion here the 'box' is the sub-conscious mind. More specifically box is the limitation imposed by sub-conscious mind.

It is the repository of all life's experiences, memories, feelings. We have experienced the joy of being appreciated, the disappointment of what we consider as a failure, sorrow of losing a chance and myriad other feelings. The feelings and experience of all the events in our lives are deposited in our sub-conscious mind.

We may not be able to recall any particular event that occurred in our childhood, but they are all there. All that comes to the notice of our conscious mind thru our senses are faithfully passed on to the sub-conscious mind where they are permanently stored.

Very early in our lives the collection of past events, experience and feelings in our sub-conscious mind becomes so weighty that sub-conscious mind develops control over us influencing our day-to-day affairs, the way we assess ourselves, the way we behave, the way we think, in fact our very being.

Sub-consciously we form opinion about ourselves, we "decide" who we are and how much we "deserve". In a way we take it for granted that we cannot go beyond what we think we are. This creates inhibition, hesitation, a limiting boundary and the box.

Our sub-conscious zone is really a comfort zone for us where we tend to go again and again. We take comfort in re-living our past, in re-living our experience even if the memories of the past are not always pleasant. Everything that happens around us in our present lives tends to reinforce our sub-conscious belief because this is how we interpret the present events.

Human potential is really not limited to our self-imposed restrictions. We have the power to go beyond the limitation defined by the box. Yet the box constitutes the comfort zone we are reluctant to leave. The sub-conscious mind conspires with the surroundings to maintain us at the present level of being, and we contribute to this effort.

To think out of the box is to make conscious effort to go past the limitations and reach out to the unlimited potential present in each of us.

But how do we do it?

By thinking consciously out of the box. Let us take example of a bad habit. How do you correct a bad habit? Simply by replacing it with a good habit. The action that constitutes the good habit is consciously repeated so many times that it becomes ingrained in our sub-conscious mind. Then it becomes a natural good habit.

For example smoking is a bad habit. This can be replaced by the good habit of not smoking simply by making a consious effort to overcome the urge to smoke. When this is done repeated it becomes an habit and the urge to smoke is greatly reduced.

There is no reason why anyone should live within self-imposed limitation. Simply by modifying conscious thinking one can change oneself.

First step is to decide where you want to go, what you want to achieve, what you want to become. Decide upon the target without worrying about the means. Then keep reminding yourself by conscious thinking that you deserve to attain the target and that you are going to achieve it.

Call it day dreaming if you like, but it should be done with clear sense of purpose. If done with single-minded intention it has the potential of modifying the sub-conscious mind. Then the impossible happens. Sub-conscious mind again conspires with the surroundings to see that the new self-image is achieved. Doors suddenly seem to open and new means present themselves. Solutions to the problems appear out of nowhere. Actually they were all within you and now they get a chance to surface out because you are seeking them out.

It is essential to keep trying whole-heartedly until the goal is reached. Then go for higher goal. By reminding yourself that you deserve to attain the goal you gain confidence and work with positive frame of mind. This is a proven formula for success.

Best wishes for your success.

Sanjay Johari

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