The Journey from Unconsciously Immune to change, to Consciously Immune, to Consciously Released, to Unconsciously released, to Unconsciously Immune.
Ever feel like you're caught in a sticky web, no matter how hard you try to break free? That’s exactly how change feels sometimes—tricky, frustrating, and downright exhausting.
We set our SMART goals, make bold resolutions, and summon all the willpower we can muster. Yet somehow, the invisible pull of the web yanks us right back to where we started.
For those familiar with the Immunity to Change process, this isn’t surprising. That web? It’s spun by our hidden commitments—silent promises designed to protect us, even if they’re keeping us stuck.
How Does This Play Out in Real Life?
I want to write more, but my hidden commitment to avoiding judgment stops me from sharing my ideas.
I want to try kickboxing, but my commitment to not being “the clueless older student” keeps me from stepping into the gym.
I want to promote my business, but my commitment to not failing holds me back from taking risks.
As Kegan and Lahey so beautifully put it, "There are goals I have, and there are goals that have me." Hidden commitments are those sneaky goals that have us.
From Stuck to Self-Aware
The Immunity to Change process shines a spotlight on the unseen forces holding us back—our hidden commitments, the big assumptions behind them, and the fears keeping those assumptions alive.
Before we embark on this journey, we often don’t even know why we’re stuck. We blame lack of time, willpower, or the “wrong moment,” missing the real culprit: our internal web of fear-driven commitments.
This process moves us from being unconsciously immune to change (stuck but clueless) to consciously immune (stuck but with newfound clarity). You’ll still feel the pull of the web, but now you’ll understand exactly what’s holding you down.
The Real Work Begins
Once you uncover these hidden forces, the next step is where the magic happens: testing your assumptions.
Testing doesn’t mean diving in headfirst—it’s about deliberate, safe steps that challenge old beliefs. For example:
Fear public speaking? Start small: practice with family or deliver a low-stakes talk. Collect feedback to see how it really went.
Struggle to set boundaries? Read up on polite ways to say no, then try it out in manageable situations.
The goal is to approach change with preparation and curiosity. When we gently confront our fears, often by doing the opposite of what they tell us to do, we open the door to growth and learning.
Freedom Through Testing
By stress-testing assumptions in the real world, we start to see them for what they are—not universal truths, but beliefs that can change. Over time, the grip of these outdated assumptions loosens, and we feel consciously released.
As you build and live through new assumptions, the old patterns fade away, and you reach a state of unconscious release. The web dissolves. The weight lifts. You’re free to move forward without the nagging pull of fears and beliefs that no longer serve you.
The Journey Is Ongoing
Of course, this is a lifelong process. Once we free ourselves from one web, new challenges and fears tied to our growth will emerge. And that’s okay—the cycle of discovery, testing, and releasing continues.
The key is to embrace the process, knowing that every step brings you closer to a lighter, freer way of being. As they say, the way out of fear is through it.
So, are you ready to take your first step out of the web?
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