Years ago as I delved deeper into learning about the subconscious mind, I also learned about the layer between that and the conscious mind. As I’ve explained in the past, our conscious mind doesn’t really express our true feelings. Whenever I would work with clients, I would have to challenge them to find their feelings. I would have to bypass their critical thinking area in order for their subconscious mind to reveal itself.
The critical thinking area is key. It is the point between what we say and what we feel. What most people don’t realize is that they may be showing it through their words. Both parts of the mind. One of the main words is “but.” We may say consciously one thing and then transition to what we really mean through the word “but.” For example: “I would love to help you, but, it is really inconvenient for me right now.” or “I would love start a business, but, I just don’t think I could do it successfully.”
Those are just a couple of examples. I’m sure you can think of many more using the word “but” as a transition. In essence, “but” statements are used to recant what is said in the first part with the second part of the statement.
“But” Statement by Famous People
“You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.” – Ayn Rand
“Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.” – Saint Augustine
“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” – Emile Zola
“I’ve had a wonderful time, but this wasn’t it.” – Groucho Marx
“You can do anything, but not everything.” —David Allen
Are “but” statements always bad to use? Not really. In fact, they can be used to overcome a negative. For example: “I don’t feel that I’m good enough to do it, but I can learn.” or “I am not good looking enough to date her, but I can use my other attributes that are even better to swoon her.” Most people don’t use “buts” very well. You can or simply leave the “buts” behind.
Practice on using “buts” if you must and use them in the best possible way. You can replace the word “but” with an “and” and see how it works. It just make get you thinking a completely different way.
Cheers,
Bob C.
America’s #1 Mind-Body Transformation Expert, author of Mind Your Own Fitness and sometimes showing my “but” crack.
