UNDERSTANDING THE 12 DOMAINS OF YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
At first, TCC identified 150 domains, but these have been whittled down to the 12 they believe are the ‘most applicable, relevant and fundamental to personal and professional wellbeing’. Here’s what they mean…
ADAPTABILITY: How easily can you adapt to change? Some people are naturally flexible and can adjust to new situations. Others find this harder and have a subconscious desire to control their environment.
ANALYTICAL: Can you make decisions without overthinking their potential impact? Careful consideration can be an asset, but those who are too detail-oriented may be slowed down by cautiousness.
AUTHENTICITY: The human desire to be liked is innate, but some people focus on this so much that they try to control how much of their ‘true’ self they show.
BOUNDARIED: Do you find it easy to build safe, comfortable relationships? Some people are clear and consistent with the boundaries they establish, while others’ may be blurred or inconsistent.
COMPETITIVENESS: Healthy rivalries can be helpful and we all have a competitive streak. But some people have such a strong desire to win that it ends up driving everything they do.
ENTREPRENEURIAL: This concerns our subconscious desire to be different. Some people are suited to following the rules, while others aim to challenge the status quo.
GRACIOUSNESS: Do you understand how your actions affect others? Some people over-empathise and need more support, while others might be so robust they can overlook or ignore the consequences of their actions.
INDEPENDENCE: Self-sufficiency can offer strength during difficult times, but those who are overly independent may struggle to connect in relationships.
NEEDINESS: Do you always look for positive affirmation and reassurance? Most of us enjoy this, but some people need constant approval.
PERFECTIONIST: This concerns our sensitivity to criticism and ability to acknowledge mistakes. For some, the subconscious fear of not being ‘perfect’ will make them present things too positively, or try to hide mistakes altogether.
REBELLIOUSNESS: Some people can acknowledge that authority doesn’t lead to a sense of inferiority, but others are compelled to resist any kind of directional messaging.
RESILIENCE: How easily can you bounce back from a knock or setback? The key question is whether our emotional response is appropriate for the reality of the situation.
What I learned
I still don’t feel like I’ve ‘completed’ my TCC experience. The test itself took only 30 minutes, but I’m continually re-reading and exploring my results, using the book, which contains more information about how each domain manifests in work, relationships and family life. I suppose that is the magic of self-knowledge – it’s an ongoing journey. Every time I learn something new – like how I need to look beyond my comfort zone, or that I channel my own needs into nurturing others – I’m reflecting on the formative experiences that have shaped me. I’ve been able to shed some of the shame and guilt I’ve been holding, without even noticing it, and I’m starting to accept myself in all my complex, strong, flawed glory. But, of course, the results are generalised, so if I want to dig deeper into who I truly am, real-life therapy is necessary. Maybe I’ll book that appointment after all…