Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to take that leap of faith, even when you know it's the right move? If you have, I get it, trust me.
There was a point in time, many moons ago, when I almost didn’t launch my coaching practice. I was scared and the stories of “not good enough” were running rampant in my brain. Talk about being stalled out.
That was in 2005, as the writing of this post, almost two decades ago. Thankfully, I sit here today with a thriving practice, doing work that I love, and all because I found ways to overcome my brain's resistance.
So, in this blog post, I’d like to share some interesting factoids about neuroscience to help you to understand why taking action can be challenging and how to shift your mindset towards bolder actions. We’re going to demystify those resistant feelings and thoughts that may be serving as an obstacle – blocking your goals from coming off that piece of paper.
Are you ready?
Why Taking Action Can Sometimes Feel Like Climbing Mount Everest
Imagine this: you've set an ambitious goal, and you're all pumped up. But when it's time to act, your brain feels like it's stalled out. A feeling of resistance quickly replaces that pumped up feeling you felt just a few minutes before. What the heck?
What if I told you that your brain was doing exactly what it’s supposed to be doing?
It’s true. Your brain is wired to protect you. It has a natural resistance to change, preferring the comfort of the known (even if the known isn't particularly great). This resistance comes from the amygdala, which sounds the alarm at the first sign of potential risk. (Change = Danger)
Neuroscience Factoid: The amygdala is responsible for the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. It's great for avoiding saber-toothed tigers but not so much for modern-day challenges like starting a new business or making a big career change.
The Brain's Secret Weapon: Neuroplasticity
Here's the good news: your brain is incredibly adaptable thanks to something called neuroplasticity. This means it can form new neural connections, essentially rewiring itself. So, while your amygdala might be yelling, "Danger!" your prefrontal cortex (PFC) can learn to say, "I've got this." (PFC = the part of your brain where things like logic and plans come from.)
Neuroscience Factoid: Neuroplasticity allows your brain to change and adapt in response to new experiences. This means you can train your brain to embrace new challenges and take bolder actions.
One of the best ways to do that is to become aware of when your brain is putting on the brakes and to find something doable you can do instead that’ll create momentum (creating a new neural pathway). The more you switch from resistance to a more motivating and empowering behavior, the more you strengthen that new neural pathway.
Shifting Your Mindset: From Stalled Out to Action
So, how do you train your brain to take bolder actions? Here are some evidence-based strategies that you can experiment with:
1. Break It Down: Big goals can be overwhelming which triggers the “brakes.” Breaking them into smaller, manageable goals helps a lot. This reduces the chance of the amygdala sounding the “danger alarm” and makes those smaller goals more doable.
2. Visualize Success: Visualization can trick your brain into thinking you've already succeeded – because the brain can’t discern fact from fiction. This activates the brain's reward center, making the action feel less daunting and releasing feel good chemicals into the bloodstream. Important note: Be sure that your visualization is one that creates empowering, positive feelings.
3. Positive Affirmations: Repeating positive affirmations that feel good and are believable can rewire your brain to reduce negative self-talk. This shifts your mindset from "I can't" to "I can." Some examples, “I am in the process of making my goal of < name of the goal> a reality.” “I have all the resources I need to make this goal a reality.”
4. Take Smaller Actions (like strategy #1): Start with smaller actions to build your confidence. Each small success strengthens your brain's new, action-oriented pathways, not to mention when you complete an action, your brain’s reward center gets activated. Hello, feel-good chemicals!
Side note: And if you celebrate each successful completion, you help the brain to catalog the steps you took so the next time you’re going to take a similar action, you’re less likely to feel stalled out.
5. Reach Out: Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you. Social support can boost your brain's oxytocin levels, helping to reduce fear and increase that awesome intrinsic motivation.
Conclusion: Becoming #Unstoppable
By leveraging neuroplasticity and employing practical strategies, you can train your brain to embrace change and take those leaps of faith. Remember, the journey to an #unstoppable mindset starts with a single action to get that momentum going.
If you're ready to dive deeper and build your confidence for taking bolder actions, you’ll also find the e-course, Confidence Builders for Taking Bolder Actions, incredibly helpful.
It's designed to provide practical, neuroscience-based tools and insights to help you overcome stalled out and create that #unstoppable confident mindset for taking bolder actions. (And all of this in just 33 minutes for only $27.00 – an extraordinary bargain!!)
So, my friends, I just have one question; are you ready to become unstoppable?
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