What if we do not negotiate with our brain?
Tooseng, 25 December 2017
The brain is a wonderful and least understood part of the human physiology. The base of the brain contains the cerebellum, and it directly connects to the spinal cord (1). It is sometimes referred to as the reptilian brain. Human beings are designed biologically almost exclusively for the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Whenever we feel any kind of pain or emotional distress – whether it’s self-pity, for example, or guilt, or shame – we’re thrown, operationally, into a state of survival mode. The brain is a survival software. Maybe not designed for modern lifestyle where threat is not real.
This state of survival mode sometimes presents itself when we want to start new ventures. Our brain tends to protect itself from all risks. Sometimes these are opportunities. We immediately enter a survival mode which would inhibit us from attaining the best that we can be. Successful people, Warren Buffet, Tony Robbins and Steve Jobs have a way of not letting their brain limit their opportunities.
The same with super athletes, men and women who against all odds managed to achieve “The Impossible”. Usain Bolt and Serena Williams have been on top of their game for a number years. Usain Bolt (born August 21, 1986) is arguably the fastest man in the world, winning three gold medals at the 2008 Olympics(2). “It was all worth it: the losses, the injuries, everything I’ve been through, it’s all worth it,” said Bolt. A statue was sculpted which features the 31-year-old in his trademark ‘lightning bolt’ pose.
Serena Jameka Williams (born September 26, 1981)[3] is an American professional tennis player (3). The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has ranked her world No. 1 in singles on eight separate occasions over the last 15 years from 2002 to 2017. She became the world No. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002. On the sixth occasion, she held the ranking for 186 consecutive weeks.
Both Serena and Usain “Do Not Negotiate With Their Brain” on whether to run, train or practice. They do not wake up and let their brains negotiate or reason why not. These men and women have trained their brain like a muscle to deal with the requirements of daily life. They have done this repeatedly.
My challenge of running 150 kilometres in December 2017 is in sight. I have not negotiated with my brain.
“Do not negotiate with your brain”
References:
1. Reptilian Brain of Survival, (https://www.gracepointwellness.org/109-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/article/55760-reptilian-brain-of-survival-and-mammalian-brain)
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usain_Bolt
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serena_Williams
Wonders and Thoughts 
🤔👍🏽👌🏾
Motseki this is such a rude awakening for me. I am totally inspired by this and as for me as an athlete, I know I can achieve more if I were not to negotiate with my brain. Thank you for the necessary motivation my Brother. ..Dipuo
Nothing is stopping you! You will achieve
3 days to go and I’m sure I’ll be reading about the successs of 150km challenge
Awesome!
Inspiring and interesting idea – so the brain can do parallele processing in separate threads. In one processing three “Deciding not to negotiate” and in another thread, “trying to convince the body to get into survival mode”? Obviously the second thread should be interrupted before the getting the body into the undesired state of survival.
Just pondering 😕
I envy you,keep up the good work.
Motseki, I’m inspired and I’m challenging myself. In 2018 I’m not negotiating with my brain….
To also aid not negotiating with your brain is to establish habits that serve your course and to have courage to do things that you are afraid of.