The Default Mode - Our Brain’s Built-In Storyteller

In 2001, Dr. Marcus Raichle, an American neurologist at the Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri, coined the term “default mode” to describe our brain’s resting state. When we fall into the default mode, a network of connections lights up. This is the brain’s Default Mode Network or DMN.

The DMN is a fascinating subject for both scientists and philosophers. This network primarily activates during rest, introspection, and mind wandering. However, its implications stretch far beyond neurological functions. At its core sit our self-worth and our sense of identity.

Much science suggests that the brain is as active while we rest as when actively engaged in a task. This means the brain is always on, doing something.

Now, if you have ever wished you could shut off your head, this bit of scientific news does not come as a shock. There is always a voice in our heads telling us a story.

The default mode network comprises the medial prefrontal cortex, just behind the forehead, the posterior cingulate cortex, which sits near the middle of your head, and the angular gyrus near the back of your head. That’s all to say that the default mode network covers many brain regions. These areas collectively engage in what scientists call “self-referential thoughts” — or, to put it plainly, it’s the part of our brain that is always on, talking and telling stories.

When the mind is not focused on the external world, the DMN becomes bustling with activity, pondering past experiences, envisioning the future, and making up stories about our place in the world.

The significance of the DMN in our daily lives cannot be overstated. In these moments of reflection, the roots of our self-worth are exposed. How we perceive past interactions, our successes and failures, and the anticipation of future endeavors are all processed through this network.

It is a cradle for our stories about who we are.

It is the origin of our negative self-talk.

We fall into default mode when daydreaming, performing routine tasks, or doing mental work that does not require concentration.

If we do not like the voices we hear in the default mode, we tend to “get busy” and distract ourselves with tasks. That is, free us from the default mode.

When we’re not actively engaged, the default mode can surface negative self-talk about ourselves, others, and how we acted in the past or what will happen in the future.

Thoughts like “I’m not good at this.”

The good news? We’re not stuck with the default script!

By recognizing these negative narratives, we can start to rewrite them. That’s where techniques like “The Gift” come in. These positive affirmations are like giving your default mode a new script filled with encouraging messages like “I can do hard things.”

This new script can rewrite your internal narrative with consistent practice, boosting your self-worth and propelling you forward.

So, the next time you catch yourself in a negative thought spiral, remember — it’s just your DMN playing an old record. Use this book’s tools to rewrite the script and create a story that empowers you to become the best version of yourself!

Download the Gift App and reprogram your Default Mode Network to a positive, self-empowered agent of change.

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About the Author

Robert Christiansen is a thought leader in self-worth and personal and professional development. As a motivational speaker, mentor, and author of The Bug in Our Brain and The Self-Worth Coach, he founded Motive For Life — a platform that offers tools to enhance self-esteem and unlock maximum potential. Robert’s innovative methods in changing internal narratives empower individuals to achieve profound personal and professional transformations, making him a pivotal figure in the coaching community for business executives.