Its no secret that many people read self-help books, attend workshops, go
through various types of alternative therapies and perceive themselves as
being "Conscious People".

However, with all their awareness, many of them feel very stuck and fail to
actually apply their self-help skills in real life situations.

There are many reasons for the gap between awareness and application.
In this article, I'm going to address the six most common reasons.
My intention is to help you gain clarity on what needs to happen
for you to turn theory into practice.
 
Mistake 1: Misinterpretation of the Term "Conscious"
Most people, when they use the term "conscious", they mean that they know themselves and that they acknowledge their weaknesses.

Although that interpretation does have a logic to it,
being a conscious person, or "having awareness" means
that you can see how you're creating results as you’re creating them.
When awareness relates to what's happening in your life, as it is happening, it automatically affects your actions.

The rule is that you can't go on sabotaging yourself,
if you can see how what you’re doing is sabotaging you.

For example: when you can see how your attitude is creating an argument. That means that you can hear your unpleasant tone of voice and you can see how that unpleasant tone is going to create antagonism and you can change your attitude as you speak.
 
Mistake 2: Insights without actions
Awareness alone will not change your life results.
If you're lucky, awareness will change your understanding of the situations in your life - but that's about it.
Actual change occurs only when you act.
If you do not act - nothing happens.
If you continue to act as you have in the past –
you will get the same results you got in the past.
To change the results you’re getting – you must act in new ways.  
 
Mistake 3: Actions Lacking Mental Clarity and Focus
The process of creation is governed by laws of nature.
These laws affect you whether you believe in them or not.
You cannot change laws of nature -  they are an unnegotiable given.
Laws of nature determine that thought creates feeling.
Feelings charge us with motivation, which triggers action.

Given that actions originate in thought, the clearer and more focused your
thoughts are- the more accurate and effective will your actions be.

For example: If you know exactly what you want to study in college,
your actions will be crystal clear and focused on applying and enrolling
in a related academic program.
However, if you're unsure about the study program that interests you,
there's a good chance that you'll apply to a few programs,
waste time contemplating, which of them to enroll in, procrastinate and so on.
As you can see, when your unfocused mentally- so are your actions.
 
Mistake 4: The Myth of Positive Thinking
Thought processes have two levels that exists and function simultaneously:
conscious thought and subconscious thought.

Conscious thought are thoughts that we are aware of  
and can manage intentionally.
Subconscious thought are thoughts that we are unaware of
although they affect us extensively.

When conscious and subconscious thoughts are in conflict –
The subconscious thoughts rule the game.
That's another law of nature!
 
Given, that positive thinking addresses only conscious thought processes,
leaving the subconscious thought, which can be extremely negative,
unaddressed.
In practicality, positive thinking often masks limiting subconscious thought,
which is why so many people who practice positive thinking fail to create
tangible change in their life.
 
Mistake 5: Guilt Instead of Curiosity
Looking your weaknesses in the eye, is far from being a picnic.
In some cases, instead of becoming a leverage for growth,
awareness causes guilt and shame.
The correct way to deal with mistakes or failure,
is to regard them part of a gradual learning process.

Mistakes are an excellent resource for identifying limiting patterns.
Once you pinpoint what is limiting you, you can choose actions
and put your efforts right where you need them!
A huge advantage!

Next time you fail at something, ask yourself what needs to change inside you
for you to succeed at the same task in the future, then focus on changing that!
 
Mistake 6: "I Can Do It Myself" Syndrome
 Whether professional, social or personal, most people would rather avoid asking for help. There are many reasons for that.
For example: fear of dependency, fear of rejection, financial reasons and many others.
On the other hand, it cannot be denied that many self-help books create the impression that within a few simple steps anyone can heal any condition or release any limiting inner pattern.
Unfortunately it doesn't work like that.

With all due respect, being objective about yourself, able to acknowledge the inner, subconscious patterns that manage you, is a farfetched goal, most of us can't live up to.
In most cases, the assistance of a mentor / healer / coach considerably enhances healing processes, if only for it being much easier to identify weaknesses when you're an objective outside spectator.
Another significant advantage is that you're not alone in the process. There is always someone to support you through the rough points and keep you on track.
If you're serious about inner change – I strongly recommend that you find a reliable and trust-worthy professional to work with.