Several studies have indicated that we have two primary modes of processing in our brain. First, there’s automatic processing, which is quick and practical, operating primarily in our subconscious. This means we have limited access to it. On the other hand, we have analytical processing, which is strategic, more reflective, and conscious. This mode allows us to consider the past and present, and make predictions about the future when making decisions. Although it operates more slowly, we have more direct control over it.

It’s essential to understand that the analytical processing, over which we have more control, can assign tasks to the automatic process. However, the automatic process doesn’t distinguish between true or false tasks. It trusts that the analytical processing has already filtered them. Therefore, when we repeat certain actions or thoughts, the automatic process seeks ways to carry them out, and both processes orient towards a common goal.

A sincere alignment between these processes is crucial. You can’t deceive yourself by saying you’re capable of something if, in your subconscious, you don’t believe it. Yet, through repetition as a strategy, your subconscious mind will start to act according to that belief. The key is to resolve any internal dilemma so that both processes are in tune.

In high-performance sports, the relevance of this concept is evident. When a soccer or basketball player aims to shoot, they direct their gaze or attention to where they want the ball to go. In downhill cycling, if a cyclist focuses on an obstacle they want to avoid, they often end up colliding with it; instead, they should focus on the path they need to take to evade the obstacle, then the automatic process takes control and guides the body.

Moreover, our brain is not good at handling negative instructions. For instance, if I ask you not to think of an elephant, you immediately visualize the elephant. The automatic process doesn’t distinguish negative instructions; it merely acts based on the inputs it receives from the analytical process. That’s why positive affirmations guide our process towards positive outcomes, whereas negative ones lead it to unwanted results. There’s a quote attributed to Henry Ford that reflects this idea: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

There is extensive literature addressing these concepts from scientific, psychological, business, and even esoteric perspectives, but all share this common foundation: You are what you think!