Steps to a Conscious state of performance

How do you know if you currently make decisions, grounded in a conscious state of mind, and not just autopilot your responses and reactions ?

Have you ever wondered what truly defines consciousness, and how it differs from awareness?

They’re often used as if they’re interchangeable. But in my experience, especially in my coaching work, the difference is not just semantic. it’s substantial. When we become aware it is the first step before we apply an action. We need to know it's there to take notice. Almost like the flashlight that illuminates a space so we can see more clearly.

Awareness is the noticing. It’s the ability to observe. Awareness is the opening. Like: "Im aware that I get anxious every time I have a conversation with my leader." Or " I feel tension after meetings, because I did not speak up about what was most important to me."

But what often happens, and for at good reason called survival, we react with a habitual or automatic response. It is simply just easier to do as we are used to. To react with a known response. Something that feels safe and familiar. Our brains primary priority is to ensure survival. And the best way to survive is to be able to predict what is going to happen. Now, tomorrow, next week, etc. Energy is key for us when it comes to survival, and we will only use extra energy on things if they are benefitting our survival. 

And here is where we can get challenged if we are not connected with our somatic systems. Survival can be doing what we have the most repetitions, and experience in doing, even though it may contradicts our values or beliefs. So for us to better align our actions with our whole self, our values, and our beliefs, we need to bring awareness and consciousness together.

Consciousness is integrated. It’s what happens when that observation becomes meaningful. When we see the connectivity, the patterns, the why beneath the what. A fine tuned awareness that is connected to our consciousness is essential to us.

Awareness is when we become aware of something, and consciousness is when we put that awareness into a context where it gives us options.

In my coaching work, I often meet leaders who have plenty of awareness. They can name their patterns. They see the symptoms. But they haven’t yet translated that awareness into a conscious, embodied understanding of themselves and their responses. The kind of response that rewires their behaviour, reallign their purpose, and makes them more present. 

Over the past 17 years, I have worked with both somatic and cognitive approaches. 

What I have found is that they can't be separated or isolated. We react and act on behalf of both systems all the time, and both systems affect each other. At the same time I know that for many people, especially in the high performing segment, the cognitive part is the one that they rely on most of the time.

1. ✅ Embodiment. The system needs to be in a state where awareness can occur. Sleep, stress levels, breathing skills, food choices, and basic micronutrient staus can all impact our ability to be aware.

2. ✅ Awareness & Knowledge. Skills and knowledge are all components here. Knowledge helps us in making better decisions, and awareness will help us initiate skills and tools.

3. ✅ Integration. What does what I become aware of mean to me. How do I integrate my values and my beliefs into my doings.

4. ✅ Intentionality. Moving ourselves forward with intention. To choose by heart and mind what truly matters in our interactions with other human beings. 

5. ✅ Reflection. Without reflection there is no way we can know if we succeeded with our intetions. It is here we can take our experiences and revisited them, and adjust accordingly.