That Mean Ole' Lizard Brain!

Following my 'Mission - April' blog, my thoughts became flooded with a million and one questions like a thunderstorm. 

What if this doesnt work?

You sure you dont want to push back the date?

Are you strong enough?

What if you cant find the market?

What if you cant pay the bills?

What if you fail?

Then came the self-doubt and the negative chatter:

This wont work!

You're not strong enough!

You'll fail just like everything else in this life! 

. . . "Ouch!"

You're not gonna finish this . . . just like all the other projects you cant seem to finish!

. . . "Ooo Low-blow!"

You're just not ready for this! You're not strong enough! 

Dont even think about it!

Now, I made sure to write it all out so that: 

1. If you're going through a similar change/challenge in your life, you can identify the negative thoughts and self-doubt that may be going on in your head also. We can be . . . No! We are some serious harsh critics of our own damn selves you know!
2. I can recognize what is called the Lizard Brain (read about this somewhere on Zenhabits.net, will post link soon). The Lizard Brain literally kicks in when we're being challenged or are threatening the 'norm'. Normally we'd subconsciously quiet the Lizard Brain before it even starts when it comes to things we know without a doubt that we can handle. But, when it comes to life's bigger challenges like changing jobs, starting your own business, buying a house, starting a new relationship, whatever big decision we have to make often triggers this little Ole' Lizard Brain.
3. And by recognizing the Lizard Brain and what it says to keep me from achieving my goals, I can actively answer and quiet its very negative self.

Sometime ago, I took a Gratitude challenge with Shanel Cooper-Sykes and one of the steps was to write a Love Letter to myself. Having written that letter, I find whenever I'm faced with these negative thoughts I'll read my Love letter to help rebuild my confidence in myself. It may seem corny and maybe even a little narcissistic but sometimes you really have to remind yourself just how wonderful and beautiful you are and just how capable you are. So if you haven't written yourself a Love Letter lately, write one now and remember to include all the qualities you love about yourself, whatever makes you - You!


Secondly, do as much research on your goals, enough that makes you comfortable with it. So when the Lizard Brain comes with its 21 Questions, you can answer it. Whatever question pops up, answer it. And if you dont have an answer, research some more. 


Another strategy is to counteract the questions that pop up. "What if I am successful?" What if I do get the promotion?" What if hate myself later on in life because I didnt try?" And it helps to be specific with the retorts so you can really see the possibilities. So I'd ask, "What if I'm so great at this that, not only did I create a clientele, but I have to hire other people, offer other services, work 4 days a week, and meet interesting people, and am required to go to these wonderful places?" What if this ALL really worked?! I would never know if I succumbed to the Lizard Brain with its "Big, fat, negative wordsy mouth". 


But, as much as I fear I would actually fail and have to go back to the drawing board, I think the biggest mistake I could ever make in this life is staying miserable in this place and not try ANYTHING! 
That scares me more than the Lizard Brain . . . and that's motivation enough!