Many people believe they are consciously directing most of their thoughts and actions, but during National Be On-Purpose Month, professional hypnotist Jesse Lewis says that belief overestimates how much conscious control the mind actually has.
“Most behavior runs automatically,” Lewis explains. “Conscious thought often explains actions after they’ve already started.”
Lewis says hypnosis makes this visible. In hypnosis, people experience responses that feel spontaneous rather than deliberate, which highlights how much of the mind operates beneath conscious awareness. Attention follows patterns long before logic steps in.
“Consciousness is more like a narrator than a controller,” Lewis says. “It tells the story after the fact.”
As people focus on intention and purpose early in the year, Lewis notes that many assume awareness equals control. In reality, habits, cues, and expectations guide behavior far more reliably than conscious effort.
“The mind is efficient by design,” Lewis explains. “Automatic processes handle most decisions so conscious attention doesn’t have to.”
Having spent more than two decades performing live comedy hypnosis shows across Canada, Lewis says recognizing this reality can be freeing rather than discouraging. “When people stop blaming themselves for not controlling everything, they can work with how the mind actually functions,” he says.
By understanding why conscious control is often overestimated, Lewis believes people can approach change more realistically. “The goal isn’t total control,” he says. “It’s better alignment.”
Pull Quote:
“Conscious thought explains behavior more often than it controls it.”
About the Expert
Jesse Lewis is a professional stage hypnotist with over 20 years of experience performing live comedy hypnosis shows across Canada. His work focuses on attention, audience engagement, and the psychology of suggestion.
Website: https://hypnotistjesselewis.com
Media Kit: https://hypnotistjesselewis.com/media-kit/
Media Contact
Jesse Lewis
Professional Hypnotist & Commentator
Email: jesselewishypnosis@gmail.com