Are 95% of Your Actions Really Unconscious

Kelly Hatfield: 00:00:00

Welcome to The Missing Secret Podcast. I'm Kelly Hatfield,

John Mitchell: 00:00:04

Hey, and I'm John Mitchell. So here's the topic today. Are 95% of your actions really unconscious, really unconscious. So Kelly, you not talked about this until the sun goes down for so long, but I see a different angle on this, and so will you be my foil, and you go back and forth with me on this, because

Kelly Hatfield: 00:00:31

I see absolutely

John Mitchell: 00:00:32

So the classic way that you and I explain this is your actions determine your success, and 95% of them are unconscious, therefore it's obvious that your subconscious mind controls your life, right? So, so clear to you and me, but and I know that you and I have talked about this before, that we think that the reason people maybe don't get it is because they're not very driven. They're like, yeah, yeah, I'm but I'm not. I'm not interested in spending 12 minutes a day on doing something to influence my daily actions, even though that would yo influence my unconscious daily actions. I'm just not that interested. And that's that's easily 75 80% of people, if not more. And so I think you and I have always chalked it up to, to not being driven. Do you think that's a fair statement?

Kelly Hatfield: 00:01:35

I think it's a fair statement. I've always thought on the other side too, like the very fact that 95% of your thoughts are unconscious, you know that, or your actions are unconscious that you know that also is attributed to somebody saying, you know, it's not for me, because that's the way they're programmed, you know. But yeah, definitely, that driven component is part of the equation, for sure,

John Mitchell: 00:01:58

Right, right? Well, I think there may be another angle to this and and this is sort of an experiment, but as I mentioned to you before, I've been using chat GPT, and let's, let's take this just a little further with chat here. Let me see Jay, are you there?

Chat GPT: 00:02:19

Yes, I'm here. How can I help you today?

John Mitchell: 00:02:22

So is it really true that 95% of a person's daily actions are unconscious?

Chat GPT: 00:02:28

Yes, it's commonly stated that a significant portion of our daily actions are driven by unconscious processes, while the exact percentage can vary. Many experts agree that a lot of our behaviors, habits and decisions are influenced by our subconscious mind.

John Mitchell: 00:02:44

Is it really as high as 95% though

Chat GPT: 00:02:47

Some estimates do put it around that number, but it's more of a generalization. The key point is that a large portion of our daily actions are indeed automatic and influenced by unconscious processes. It's a fascinating area of study in psychology and neuroscience.

John Mitchell: 00:03:03

So what I understand is really happening is that a person takes an action unconsciously and then a millisecond or two later, becomes conscious of it. Is that?

Chat GPT: 00:03:15

Right? Yes, that's a common understanding. The brain often initiates actions unconsciously, and we become aware of them shortly afterward. This highlights how much our subconscious mind influences our behavior.

John Mitchell: 00:03:29

Okay, let's take this a little deeper. So in that 95% number, we're factoring in bodily functions and just just actions that are required to to keep the body moving and functioning. So what is the percentage of a person's daily actions that are exclusive of their body, bodily functions that are unconscious

Chat GPT: 00:03:59

When we exclude bodily functions like breathing, heart rate estimates suggest that around 45 to 50% of our non bodily daily actions are still driven by unconscious processes, this includes habits, routines and automatic responses to familiar situations.

John Mitchell: 00:04:15

So the point of that is essentially Chad. GPC says that when you factor out the bodily functions, about 50% of your your actions are unconscious. Well, that's interesting, because maybe that is more believable for people than to say 95% because I think, and I'm not sure about this, but I think that to some degree, when you say 95% of your daily thoughts and actions are unconscious, they may sort of have heard that before, but finally, don't believe it. And therefore when, when we explain what we do, they are are down. It, even though they sort of maybe hear the facts, they're doubting it. But when you say it's 50% they're like, Huh, okay, yeah, okay, this is more realistic to me. I mean, what's your take on that? I'm really curious to see what you think about

Kelly Hatfield: 00:05:17

Yeah. I mean, that could be, you know, definitely I'm not sure. Yeah. I mean, I hadn't thought about that before that, whether that number 95% is what makes people feel like, the pushback on the idea, you know, is that it seems like a lot, you know, like, Okay, well, what thoughts do I actually have that are my you know, that aren't automatic, you know. And so I can see where you're coming from, you know, as far as does then differentiating and excluding, excluding the bodily functions and getting that number to one that is easier for people to wrap their head around and not push back on, right? Does then that change, you know, their, you know, perception or their level of interest, because it seems more believable

John Mitchell: 00:06:02

Well, and it's possible that it makes it more confusing, too. And I've been studying this because when I go on podcasts now, when I get about 30 minutes into the podcast, I'm like to the host, I'm like, Okay, we're going to create the same epiphany in you that I had when I turned 50. And so I will work them through that and and the first thing I'll I'll get them to say is, do you believe that 95% of your daily thoughts and actions are unconscious? And I would say the majority of time. They say, that's true. I believe that. And then I go, What are you doing about it? Well, they're not doing anything about it. And and, you know, from my standpoint, I'm like, How the hell can you not connect the dots clearly, you know your daily actions determine your success, and if 95% of them are unconscious, meaning you're not consciously in control of them. How can you not connect the dots that you've got to gain control those unconscious daily actions this? This is like one and one equals two, but they're not doing that. And I'm puzzled by that. I think part of it can Well, I think it's a number of things. Part of it is they know it, but they don't really know it, because they may go, Well, yeah, but you know, I don't know that's really true, because I'm conscious of everything I do, and therefore I'm conscious of all my daily actions, so none of them are unconscious. And for those people, I'm like, well, you're missing the point. You think you're you're taking the action consciously, when, in fact, it's being taken unconsciously, and you're becoming aware of it a nanosecond later. So that issue, but I don't know. I think the other issue is they believe it, but nobody's actually showed them an actual way to take control of their unconscious daily actions, you know? So that's why they they may believe it, but they're not doing anything about it. I mean, well, how's how's that hit you?

Kelly Hatfield: 00:08:21

Yeah, I think the first thing that comes to mind when you were is that, you know, I go back to, we talk about this all the time. I think it's because nobody is actually thinking about this. They're not thinking about it at a at a deep list. So you saying that, and them hearing it for the first time on a podcast, and then really, you know, internalizing that or or processing, that the processing part isn't happening anymore. For most people, we're, you know, jumping on to the next thing. This was an idea, yeah, yeah, I believe, you know, and then to what extent that they're doing anything about it. Now, you know, I think you've got to understand that. I think one of the things you know when we're talking about this is the gap between where you are and whether you're happy with that life and that existence thing. And then you know where you want to be if you're if you're not happy here, where it is that you want to be, and understanding then that this is the way that you close that gap, you know. But I think, yeah, are not thinking deeply. They're going through the motions of life. Most people aren't even thinking about whether they're fulfilled or whether they're happy. They're just dealing with what's coming at them. And in a they're on autopilot fully, right? You know, which is the whole point of this. You know what we're talking about?

John Mitchell: 00:09:37

You know Kelly

Kelly Hatfield: 00:09:38

People being driven. I'm like, it's super like, I agree with you. But at the same time, it's like, part of why their art is because they are on, you know, they're, they're, there's unconscious is, is controlling everything, and it's set in these patterns, behaviors and all of these things, so that when you say something, it. Like ET, you know, because, you know, they've been sold a, you know, a bill of goods in the past, and it not, you know, solved every problem that they had. It wasn't the magic pill. So now that they've got a bias against, you know, you know. So I think there's so many factors that are, you know, at play here, as we're talking about this. But that's my like, when you first said, why aren't they? And it's like, because they're not thinking they're to your point. You're making your own point, which is, everybody is totally going through the motions and living, you know, on autopilot, right?

John Mitchell: 00:10:35

Well, yes, I and I think that really is the essence of it. The more I think about when you sort everything, a big part of it, too, is how driven are people. I mean, most people are not very driven at the end of the day and but, but even driven people, I think, fit in the category you're talking about, where they're just not thinking thinking their life.

Kelly Hatfield: 00:10:58

Yep, they're just haven't woken up yet. They haven't, you know what I mean, or we talk about this all the time too. So many times, the people who really get this to are there is a pivot point or a pain point or a major transition or milestone or something that's happening that's getting them to reflect on where they are, you know, in comparison to either where they thought they'd be, where they should be, where they you know? And so there seems to be a catalyst, yeah, because otherwise that has woken them up out of the day to day coma that we're all, you know what I mean, with the being in that autopilot, something has woken them up and put shine the spotlight. Yeah? And now there's an interest. I have an interest now in understanding this better you are. If you don't feel like there's a problem, you know, or have it connected to the fact that there is an issue, or whatever, then this, it's gonna blow right by you.

John Mitchell: 00:11:58

Yeah, that is so true, because, you know when, when this hit, both you and I, we were at exactly the moment you were talking about. Yeah, there was something going on with each of us respectively that made us receptive to it. And you know, this is before, you know the last what, how long we known each other? Eight years? Yeah, eight years now, I think, yeah, so. So this is, you know, we've had eight, eight more years of conditioning with social media, where it's causing people to be shallow thinking, and this for sort of flip through culture. And you're right, they're not thinking deeply about it. And so when you all sudden I pop up on a podcast, I talk about 95% of your daily thoughts natural turn conscious. They're like, halfway listening, half not listening, because that's how they're doing life. Yeah, I mean, we're conditioned that and and they just haven't thought deeply about this. But you know what's, what's happened with me, especially in the last three months, is boy, when I get that post and I'm 30 minutes deep into it, and I'm like, Okay, I'm going to give you the same epiphany I had. I don't let them off the mat. I'm like, you know, I now have set the foundation. And when they say they they either believe 95% or they don't. I can go either way, you know, if they've never heard it before, then I'll play the Chad GPT and give little, you know, context to it, and little outside verification. And that's all good. And then if they go, oh yeah, I'm, I'm I believe that. And then I go, What are you doing about it? And they stumble around and and then I'm like, Okay, here we go, yeah, Buttle up, because now I'm going to be drilling you on the logic of this. And you believe that 90 that your daily actions determine your success, right? You'll take it one step at a time. They'll go, Yes, I get that. Well, do you believe that 95% of your actions are unconscious? Yes, I believe that. And then I'm like, come on. I mean, really, come on.

John Mitchell: 00:14:18

How can you live your life and not gain control of those unconscious daily actions. I mean, you've gotten to this, this point in your life, but, but how can you not do that? Or how can you not see it as a as a big deal? Because, you know, when it hit me, I'm like, Oh, my God, a whole new world once I grasp that, and it's said, it's like, one plus one equals two. Who's struggled with math here? I mean, this is, yeah,

Kelly Hatfield: 00:14:50

Well, it's funny. I remember when we first met and you introduced the idea, and I can't remember, and I'm also too reflecting on like, if I had been in. Uh, a podcaster seat, and you would ask, because I don't think you handled you and you asked me it that way, right? You know. But had you, you know, when you said or 95% and I would have said, Okay, I believe you in that 95% even said, Well, what are you doing about it? I would my response would have said, I didn't realize there was anything to do about it, yeah, or that I needed to do. Like, I didn't know this was an issue until you just told me it was.

John Mitchell: 00:15:26

And, you know, there's a way to control them. Oh, they're unconscious. I guess I can't control

Kelly Hatfield: 00:15:32

exactly. So there's those two pieces. First is like, this is like, new and I'm like, Whoa. And then, you know, well, what are you doing about it? Nothing. Because I didn't know there was something I could do about it, you know, and honestly, hadn't thought about it before. And so I think, you know, if you can get get people in that you know, where you know they're in that place, because I think that's the distinction, again, is whether knowing that they're excited about the opportunity of doing something about it,

John Mitchell: 00:16:00

Yeah, that's a very good point. I think that's as true. And you know, then I'll, I'll go a little further. I go, Well, tell me your morning routine. Well, you know, they've got a morning routine that probably is has nothing to do with mindset. And I'm like, now, now just connect the dots. If you're feeding the succinct articulation of your desired life to yourself every day, which includes the right actions in your marriage, in your career, in your health. Don't you see now that you understand that the subconscious mind rules your life and it's only influenced by repetition, don't you now see that that's the repetition the subconscious mind needs to make the right actions happen automatically, without thinking. And then I think hopefully they go, oh, oh, okay. I mean, that's in theory.

Kelly Hatfield: 00:16:52

Well, I think anytime you two can ask somebody, so let's just use the morning routine as an example. Because everybody has a morning routine, it's just a matter of whether that routine serves them or whether it doubts so. And I remember talking, and I can't it was one of our clients, and they were talking about their morning routine, and they basically were like, well, you know, from the minute I wake up, I am racing around trying to get the kids out the door. And, you know, I'm everything is frantic. And, you know, it's same thing every day, you know, we sit, you know? And it's like, okay, you know, so that all is happening like you've created that, you know, kind of reality for yourself that's all happening on a regular routine, right? The point we're making about, you know, success, because we're specifically, we're talking about success, and we're talking to business owners, how big, how conducive Do you think that morning routine is, you know, to the goals that you want to achieve in your business and your your life, yeah? And it's like, oh, you know, yeah, not. And it's like, bingo, you know, we just had a breakthrough, you know. And I think that when you can get people to start thinking like that, like, how much of that morning routine do you do without thinking about it? They're like,

John Mitchell: 00:17:58

Well, and, you know, the the the great, great thing, what you what you said is, is you ask them a question, you know, as opposed to telling them, yeah, how? How effective you think that that morning routine that you just described to me? Is it a creating life you want? Well, now they're switching from that listening mode to they got to respond, and that can change the dynamics, right there, you did? Yeah, absolutely, yeah. But I see, I see, because I'm going to do this for the rest of my life, none, let's be 100 so, just so, so, you know, but I see, at the essence of what I do, whether it's, it's it's in this podcast or or teaching my class, you got to get the significance that 95% of your daily thoughts and actions are unconscious. I mean, until you get the significance of that. This is not all that that meaningful, but also once you sort of realize, and I oftentimes say this, that your subconscious mind is either your greatest asset or it's your greatest nemesis in life, and it's your greatest nemesis in life if you don't gain control of those unconscious daily actions, because you're innately wired for survival, and it causes you To be fear based and reactive. And therefore, if 95% of your daily thoughts and actions are unconscious, then the source that is figuring out the actions to take are fear based and reactive, whereas if you feed the succinct articulation of your desired life to yourself each day, you're overriding that, that survival mechanism, and you're influencing the creation of your thoughts, so that when the thoughts, the right thoughts, are created, then the right actions happen automatically. Because this isn't really about controlling your thoughts, because once you. Have a thought. It's out there. There's no controlling it. It's history, yeah. But the essence of this, this entire conversation, is the actions are being taken unconsciously, without true conscious control, and they're steered to be fear based and

John Mitchell: 00:20:17

reactive, and that's the problem, yeah? And I like my point of sharing that I'm going to be talking about this for a long time is is the better I can get at at this, this issue, the better people understand it. But I think your point is great that they're just not thinking about it in the first place. Yeah. And this is largely new information they've and, you know, the people that may go, Yeah, I believe that they've heard it before, but they never really thought about it that that much and, and to your other point, they never thought they could do anything about it. And we gave them a way to to change that. So they just thought, well, no sense. Thing about there's nothing I can do about it. Yeah, so I don't know it's, it's enlightening, and you're always just a fabulous person to bounce this off, because you you know it almost as well as I do above anybody else on the face of the planet. So that's why your opinion is so valuable to me, I looked out to our audience as well. So as we wrap up, one thing I wanted to mention that I've got to do this last time. But you know, we do a 2% mastermind at the end of each quarter, the really the last, typically the last Friday of the month. And so we're going to do it this coming September 26 which is the last Friday of the month, and I think we'll probably do it probably around noon or 11 o'clock. Haven't figured out exactly, but I want to get a give our audience a little heads up on that. Put it on your calendar, if you want to be a part of it. Send me an email. I've got a list that I keep, and so I'll put you on the list and send you the Zoom link. So just put that on your calendar, because it's a great chance for you to ask questions and and just dig a little deeper. So Okay, until next time, we'll see you.