Grace explained to me a very simple 15-minute exercise, which she practiced together with me on the phone, until I felt confident in how to complete it. I would send her my exercise by email, Monday through Friday, five days a week. It consisted of sharing specific experiences, to which she would respond with an elaboration to replace my existing habit pattern with a new, useful “change readiness” skill.​ Grace was also very upfront with me about the detox-like experience I would undergo while unlearning my old subconscious pattern. She accurately predicted what I would feel, and we discussed the possibility of needing an accountability partner if it became overwhelming.

 

​The first three to four weeks were the most difficult. As Grace warned, I felt tired and irritated. At times I didn’t want to do the exercise, and at other times I would go completely ‘blank.’ I felt reassured knowing what to expect in advance, as my subconscious mind went through confusion and discomfort in the ‘rewiring’ process.​ On our weekly session phone call, I would share my frustrations and doubts with Grace, and she would listen, helping me to understand what was happening and answer my questions. She would test my understanding of the new skill and adjust my weekly exercise assignment, as needed.​

 

Finally, something ‘clicked’ while I was completing an exercise. I began noticing instances of the new skill I was practicing show up in my current life more and more.​ One day, after many hours of trying to fix a broken spreadsheet tool, which I needed in 10 minutes for a meeting, I spontaneously stopped and decided to refocus. Instead of panicking with fear of failure and judgment (my old pattern), I openly shared the problem with my team, and they responded with appreciation. I felt liberated! I couldn’t wait to share my success with Grace, and shortly thereafter, we concluded the rewiring process.