Success Doesn’t Always Require Conscious Effort
1. “Quitting smoking isn’t about stopping—it’s about enduring.”
During my third year as a smoker, a senior colleague shared this advice when my habit—started to bond with coworkers—became an addiction. Back then, it resonated deeply. After work, at drinks, during stress—cigarettes became automatic. I prided myself on willpower, but I kept failing.
The realization:
“If your subconscious keeps craving it, train your subconscious to reject it!”
I noticed that smoking after intense workouts made me physically ill. By deliberately repeating this, my body learned to associate “cigarettes = pain.” Soon, even the smell repulsed me. Drinking alcohol no longer triggered cravings. Seven years later, I’m still smoke-free.
Subconscious conditioning is powerful.
Recent studies show that exposing smokers to unpleasant odors during sleep increases quit rates. (Search: “smoking cessation experiments using odor during sleep”)
2. Applying Subconscious Power to Work
Neuroscientist Daniel Kahneman said, “We are ruled by the subconscious.”
Example:
On a date, your heart races—but is it the rollercoaster or the person?
Caffeine drinks similarly hijack this effect: they raise heart rates, planting positive subconscious associations.
3 Workplace Strategies:
2-1) The “Delayed Refusal” Technique
Immediate rejection breeds resistance.
Instead, say, “I’ll review internally and get back to you.”
→ The other party feels heard, making future negotiations smoother.
(Ref: “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion”)
2-2) The Magic of Presentation Order
- Start with what they already know.
- Deliver the worst news.
- Progressively share positive updates.
→ “A strong finish improves overall perception.”
2-3) Reframe Language Positively
- “We’re lacking” → “We have room to grow.”
- “This is a problem” → “This is an opportunity.”
Identical content, but the brain processes it differently.
(Ref: “To Sell Is Human” by Daniel Pink)
3. “A Cheap Trick? No—A Smart Strategy.”
In Korea, this might be dismissed as “꼼수” (underhanded tactics). In the U.S., reactions lean toward “That’s very smart!”
The Takeaway:
Use every tool available—subconscious hacks, psychology, whatever works.
Learn from the smartest minds, then tailor their strategies to your own.
Recommended Resources:
- “Thinking, Fast and Slow” (Daniel Kahneman): Neuroscience-based decision-making.
- “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion”: Negotiation and refusal tactics.
- “To Sell Is Human” (Daniel Pink): Language and subconscious influence.
Remember:
Your subconscious is already a powerful ally.
The key lies in how you train it.