We Actually Do Want Hard
As humans, our survival brain is hardwired to keep us safe, prioritizing safety above all else. In psychology, there's a concept known as the motivational triad, which highlights the three main priorities of our survival brain:
Seek pleasure (the more immediate, the better)
Conserve energy
Avoid pain (both physical and emotional)
When this part of our brain is in control, our primary goal becomes leading the easiest life possible.
This explains why we might find ourselves scrolling through social media instead of doing homework, hesitating to fill out another job application for fear of rejection, or reaching for sugar when we're bored or agitated. Our survival brain drives us to make parts of our lives as easy as possible.
This survival brain avoids anything that isn't easy or fun.
However, we are fortunate to have another crucial part of our brain—the part that isn't satisfied with endless nights of Netflix and potato chips.
This part of our brain has the capacity to plan far into the future, dream big, and fuel our greatest desires. It pushes us to expand, seeking satisfaction through accomplishment.
This is what drives over one million people to complete a marathon every year, and nearly one thousand to attempt to summit Mount Everest. We don't go to the gym looking for the lightest weight; we strive to push our bodies to lift more and more.
We actually want to do HARD THINGS!
Interestingly, many teens who underperform in school are simply bored because the material isn't challenging enough or doesn't seem relevant to their future.
Others avoid hard tasks due to a lack of confidence, often because our society emphasizes fast and easy solutions over diligence and perseverance.
Even though our survival brain seeks ease, humans inherently crave progression and challenge. It's this desire for growth that drives innovation and personal development.
As we navigate life, embracing challenges can lead to profound personal growth and fulfillment. By pushing beyond our comfort zones, we not only build RESILENCE but also unlock new potential and opportunities that were previously unimaginable.
Which areas in your life are you playing it safe byletting your survival brain drive?
What's standing in your way? What might you be afraid of?
Shifting yourself from your fear brain into your possibility brain can be challenging, but also exciting.
It just requires DESIRE and a mindset shift.
In a world of fast food and on demand TV, we need to constantly remind ourselves the joy and satisfaction that comes from reaching for the HARD!
