The Three Parts Of The Mind: How It Affects Your Decisions And Your Life

the three parts of mind how it affects your decision and your life

Early philosophers like Aristotle and Plato established long ago that there are three parts of the mind. These distinct parts shape our personalities and identities. The three parts, namely the Decision Maker, the Critic & the Observer, determine what we think, what we do, and what we feel.

“The mind is the root from which all things grow if you can understand the mind, everything else is included.” – Bodhidharma

The three parts of the mind form certain traits that are complex and unique in each individual. It makes us who we are and determines the quality of our lives.

What are the Three Parts of the Mind?

The Decision Maker, the Critic & the Observer.

The mind is our power source. Spirit channels into the mind and we use this energy to think, motivate, and accomplish. Therefore to develop mastery we must understand the way the mind works. In this way, you get to embrace the daily choices you face that will determine the quality of your experience. The Course in Miracles described three parts to the mind – the decision-maker, and the critic, and the performer.

In this chapter, we will deal with the critic and the performer. Other names for these parts of the mind are the ego and the True Self or the Contrived Self and the Real Self. As you might recognize, one is negative and the other positive.

‘The critic’ demoralizes

The critic inputs judgments, opinions, and comments. It operates on the mental level. It plants doubt and it is disempowering. We might even call it the devil or deceiver. If your inner dialogue sounds like this, You can’t do that; who do you think you are; you don’t have the right education, contacts, skill, or perseverance.

You will never amount to anything, then you know the critic well. Everyone has an inner critic. It will not help you achieve anything worthwhile. It is up to you to recognize it and decide how to deal with it /or simply ignore it.

Related: 3 Practical Steps To Integrate Your Brain And Avoid Feeling Stuck

‘The performer’ keeps you going

Beyond the critic, on a deeper spiritual level, is the performer. The performer takes action, knows you can do what you set out to do, doesn’t analyze the problem forever, and keeps moving.

An example of a performer would be the little boy who wants to learn to ride his bike. He jumps on it with a determined mind and attempts to ride it and he falls off. Then he tries riding it another way. He keeps on his quest until he eventually works it out and becomes a great bike rider. He has no concern for the number of times he falls off because his goal is to ride the bike and through all his trials and errors he ultimately finds a way to do it. The same would be true of hitting a baseball, setting up a computer program, painting a room, learning how to bake a cake – in fact, anything.

Legends are performers

Arnold Schwarzenegger is an example of a performer. He came from humble beginnings growing up near Graz, Austria. His family had no electricity or running water, so he and his brother would walk for miles carrying water to their home so that they could bath, clean, and cook. Schwarzenegger did not consider this a detriment or problem but a situation to be dealt with. He did not see himself as underprivileged.

He kept moving. As a child, he saw a movie with cowboys and decided that he was going to be a cowboy/movie actor in the United States. He fulfilled his version of that dream by becoming the youngest world-famous bodybuilder, Mr. Universe.

“The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

From there he followed the opportunities and eventually moved to the United States, trained celebrities, built a real estate portfolio, and ultimately got his chance to act in movies. This is not a small accomplishment when you consider he did not even know the language when he arrives in the U.S. But that is not all, because from movie stardom he went on to become the governor of California.

In other words, Arnold Schwarzenegger set his sights and then went into action. He is the personification of the performer.

When it came time to write his autobiography, Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story, Schwarzenegger, had a hard time remembering the timelines and particulars of his life. He had to call upon others who kept photographs and notes. Remembering these details was difficult because Schwarzenegger kept his focus forward. With each step along his path, he concentrated on where he was and where he was going.

Bring awareness to your mind

It is important that you get to know these two parts of your mind. Awareness demands it. Many people get stuck in the critic and make their lives miserable. Nothing is right, everything is cruelly judged, and they maintain focus on the “wrongs” of the world.

Yet at any moment you can make another choice. Step back; take note of your situation, and decide what action is needed. This is the decision-maker. Performer. Learning to ascertain facts versus the dramatic conclusions of the critic is imperative if you are to achieve mastery. You are always the decision-maker.

It is important that you recognize your susceptibility to negativity. Often it shows up as other people, perhaps even your family. Negativity is toxic. You must identify it and counteract it. Whether the negativity is yours or others, you have the ability to protect yourself and move beyond it. There are many people who exist as lazy, indifferent, and willing to accept all suggestions that harmonize with their own weaknesses. It gives them an excuse to stay weak. So attention is warranted. Will power is the ability to use your will to make decisions.

Related: 5 Ways To Shift Your Mindset Towards More Optimism

Decide. Choose. Ask.

“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” – Lao Tzu

You must make decisions in life. What direction do you choose to go to? By developing habits that maintain positivity, you are deliberate in building inner strength (like Schwarzenegger and others) and keep yourself from caving into the critic.

The most common weakness is the habit of leaving your mind open to the negative influence of others and that includes the broadcast news. If you become unconscious of this tendency, you are cursed to work harder to achieve your goals. The idea is to spot negativity and close off to it immediately. You want to live in high vibrancy, not low, depressed energy. You are not a lazy person.

This is the work that must be done to master your mind and operate as a decision-maker. It is your life. Make the best of it. Ask yourself, what do I know for sure in this situation, about this person? What am I making up, reacting to, or assuming? Don’t decide what to do until you have sorted fact from fiction or illusion.

When you are caught up in the critic, you can draw conclusions based on your past – who does this person reminds you of, what is my issue? Am I experiencing jealousy or competition? None of these deductions will be accurate. The performer has clarity about what he wants and where he is going. When he spots an obstacle he begins to calculate his options. What will it take to blast through it, climb over it, sidestep it, or reduce it to rubble? When you decide your course of action, there will always be a way to accomplish it.

“The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” – John Milton

Jean Walters is available for consultations regarding personal empowerment, becoming unstuck, finding your purpose and passion, healing from past experiences. You can reach her at jean@spiritualtransformation.com or 314 991 8439


Written by Jean Walters
Originally appeared in Spiritual Transformation1

The three parts of the mind can change your life

“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” – Buddha

The three parts of the mind work in tandem and it is up to you to decide which aspect of your mind you will give more value to. Whether you will listen to your inner critic and shut yourself or whether you will feed the performer and step up to achieve your goals, depends on you. 

What you need to realize is that it is you who is the decision-maker, the critic, and the performer. How you wish to build your identity and what kind of a person you want to be is solely up to you. Understanding the three different parts can make you feel empowered and motivate you to perform while judging yourself. Self-criticism doesn’t have to be a bad thing as long as you take it productively to stay humble and perform harder and better.

The different parts of your mind make you what you are. It keeps you focused and keeps you going. As long as you know that you are always in control of your mind, and not the other way around, your mind can be the most powerful tool to help you build the life of your dreams.

Here’s an interesting video that you may find helpful:


The Three Parts Of The Mind: How It Affects Your Decisions & Your Life
the three parts of mind how it affects your decision and your life pin

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply



Up Next

The Profound Spiritual Meaning Of Tornadoes In Dreams: 4 Hidden Messages

The Profound Spiritual Meaning Of Tornadoes In Dreams

Ever had a dream about the chaotic fury of a tornado? Dreams can be overwhelming at times, but dreams are often subtle messages from your subconscious. So are there any hidden spiritual meaning of tornadoes in dreams?

Dreams can often be mysterious, captivating, and laden with symbolism. While some dreams may seem abstract or random, others carry deeper significance, offering us insights into our subconscious mind and spiritual journey. 

While we may forget most of our dreams when we wake up in the morning, there may be a deeper reason why you are dreaming about tornadoes. Such dreams signify that your mind is utilizing the imagery of tornadoes to express and indicate something deeper inside you.

When you reflect on your tornado dreams, you can tap into your subconsc



Up Next

Awakening to 5th Dimension Spirituality: 10 Signs You’re Transcending

5th Dimension Spirituality: Signs You're Transcending

Are you ready to take a mind-bending journey into the realms of 5th dimension spirituality? You’re about to learn things that will not just challenge your thinking, but it will also make you question everything you knew about reality.

Imagine a place where time and space co-exists harmoniously, your intuition is everything, and physical and the metaphysical blur into a mesmerizing tapestry of interconnectedness.

Welcome to the 5th dimension, a realm where consciousness expands and your spiritual evolution takes flight. So, are you ready to know more about what is the 5th dimension, and fifth dimension consci



Up Next

The Power Of Visualization: 8 Tips On How To Visualize To Manifest Your Dreams

Tips to Use the Power of Visualization to Manifest Success

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly achieve their goals while others struggle to make progress? What if there was a secret technique that could accelerate your journey towards success? Well, the power of visualization might just be the missing piece of the puzzle you’ve been searching for. 

Visualization is a fascinating practice that taps into the incredible power of the mind, enabling you to create a vivid mental image of your desired outcomes. 

Today, we will explore the science behind visualization, and the numerous benefits of visualization, and provide practical tips on how to visualize and incorporate it into your daily routine.

What is Visualization?



Up Next

8 Signs Your Third Eye Is Opening: Unlocking The Inner Vision

Signs Your Third Eye Is Opening: Unlocking The Eye Within

Have you ever wondered about the mystical concept of the “third eye”? Well, get ready to dive into the fascinating realm of spiritual awakening, and some very interesting signs your third eye is opening, and what happens when you open your third eye.

Many spiritual traditions believe that the third eye, located in the middle of your forehead, is the gateway to intuitive abilities, and higher consciousness. While it might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, third eye awakening is said to bring profound insight and expanded awareness.

In this article, we’ll explore eight signs your third eye is opening, giving you a sneak peek into the extraordinary realms that lie beyond our ordinary senses.



Up Next

Dreaming of Bees? 9 Spiritual Messages Your Dream Bees May Be Sending You

The Spiritual Meaning Of Bees In Dreams: Divine Messages

Have you ever had a dream where bees buzzed around you? Have you woken up wondering what this dream means? Let us find out the spiritual meaning of bees in dreams. 

For centuries, dreams have been considered as windows to the subconscious mind that can reveal secret messages and insights about our lives. Bees hold an important place in spirituality as they signify harmony, productivity and divine direction.

Today let us dive into the fascinating world of the spiritual meaning of bees flying around you and what seeing bees actually means.

Do You Know the Spiritual Meaning of Bees?

Throughout history, bees have been admired for their amazing qualit



Up Next

How to Get Into Deep Meditation: 11 Tips Find Your Inner Zen Now!

How to Get into Deep Meditation: Tips For The Impatient

With our highly stressful, anxious, and chaotic lives, meditation has become a necessity for our mental and emotional well-being. But have you ever wondered about how deep meditation can help you explore the depths of your inner self? Do you know how to get into deep meditation?

Deep meditation is a simple yet excellent way to experience unparalleled tranquility, mental clarity, profound relaxation, and spiritual growth. 

Today, let us explore how to get into deep meditation, deep meditation symptoms, deep meditation benefits, deep meditation experiences, and some interesting tips for deeper meditation. So join us in this journey of discovering the true essence of inner peace.

What is Deep Meditation?



Up Next

5 Good Luck And Fortune Spells For The New Year: Safe Yet Powerful Rituals To Bring Love, Money, And Health In 2024

Good Luck And Fortune Spells For The New Year

Are you looking for more good luck in 2024? You can start the new year with these 5 easy yet effective good luck and fortune spells!

With every new year, many of us seek ways to improve our lives. While setting New Year resolutions is a common practice, a bit of magic and spirituality can be an intriguing start. Don’t you think?

Do you want to try out some spells for good luck? We can suggest some very powerful and effective good fortune spells that are safe and simple to follow.