It's in all mammals, varying slightly in size, and it serves a very important purpose. Simply put, it tells us what to do when we're in danger.
When you hear you the phrase "fight or flight" that's referring to the work of the amygdala. There are some wonderful benefits to this system, for example, when something big and loud is coming at you, you're probably already running before you even know what it is. The amygdala keeps you alive by pumping adrenaline into your system. What we do with it, becomes that reaction which keeps us alive.
Fight. Or flight. Are you going to stay and face the enemy? Or will you run away?
The problem is, what was useful centuries ago has limited use in today's world. After all, this reaction is built into the deepest, most instinctive part of our brain. But what do we need it for anymore other than to get you to jump up on the occasional curb when a taxi tries to take you out in the crosswalk?
When you hear yourself saying that something is too risky, that something is too dangerous, that you shouldn't do it, that's the amygdala talking. So while everything might not be life or death anymore, having a part of your brain on duty to keep you a little cautious, isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Except, it is. The worst part of the amygdala is that everything goes through there first before going on to other parts of the brain.
And while that can be handy when driving, making you more alert to other drivers, and it can be handy in dark alleys and war zones, when you're looking to make a change to reach out past your comfort zone and try to achieve something new, it kind of gets in the way. That's when you hear the voice. You know the one. It says things like:
"That's too risky."
"It's too dangerous."
"What if I fail?"
"What if I go broke?"
"What about my retirement fund?"
"It's a pipe dream."
"Don't take chances!"
What you need to realize is that people who succeed are people who take risks. Period. Believe it or not, people who are rich often lose vast fortunes on the chances they take, but they keep going, and that's where the next risk pays off.
You cannot be successful if you continually listen to your amygdala, or "lizard brain" because you'll always end up giving into your fear.
However, our instinct is to run, to flee from risk. Our very being is designed to fight change and to run from challenges.
Believe it or not, you can change this. But keep in mind, these reactions are so deeply embedded, they aren't going to change overnight. And they certainly won't change easily. But it can be done.
As Nelson Mandela said,
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
That's reprogramming. Every time you conquer fear, you put a little reprogramming into the amygdala. Not that you want it to go away completely. We still need it on duty for those important moments for when we truly are in danger. But we need to listen to it only when we truly need itwhen there is real danger ahead.
Only then will we find success.
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