Does Your Monkey Brain Control Your Actions?

You might have heard about your “monkey brain”. But what does that mean? I'd like to share with you some very powerful ways to control these primitive impulses and keep them in check so they don't sabotage your goals and your business.

What is the monkey brain?

The monkey brain is a term coined to describe your primal instincts. The more accurate way to describe the monkey brain is as an instinctual, primal part of your mind that urges you to act on impulse. A more accurate way to understand the term is to think of it as your primal instinct. This can be anything from fear of pain to fear of success. Your primal instincts are always whispering just below the surface of your thoughts, ready to take over at any moment, urging you to do whatever it takes for survival--to give in to temptation or safety.

As entrepreneurs and executives we all have fears. But making appropriate business decisions requires us to understand these fears so that they don't control us. Have you ever worried about whether you were going to make your next sale? Or make payroll? Or get that product out on time? Or whether your team really supports you? If you're like me, you've experienced all of the above. And that's precisely why we have to "push through" the monkey brain.

The importance of understanding the triggers for your primal instincts

One of the most important things you can do to control your primal instincts is understand what triggers them. One of the most common triggers for primal instincts is fear.

Fear is a very powerful emotion and one that can be either good or bad depending on how you use it. Fear can keep you safe by preventing you from jumping off a bridge, but too much fear will cause you to avoid living life to the fullest.

Fear can also be triggered by success. When you start to achieve goals, your monkey brain often starts telling you that something terrible will happen if you continue down this path.

It's also important to know that there are different types of fear-success triggers:

• people are threatened by other people's success (envy)
• people create imaginary threats and obstacles in their head
• people worry about what others think of them

Knowing what triggers your primal instinct will help you combat it so it doesn't influence your actions negatively.

Techniques to keep your primal instincts in check

1. Withhold instant gratification

2. Identify your primal instinct

3. Control your environment

4. Utilize trigger phrases

5. Stay in the present moment

6. Get a mentor

Conclusion

When we are faced with a difficult decision, or have a tough day at work, it can be easy to blame our primal instincts. But did you know that these instincts, which we've inherited from our animal ancestors, may not in fact be the true culprit?

The three types of monkey brains—the lizard brain, the emotional brain and the rational brain—can all react to certain triggers and cause us to act in certain ways. However, with awareness of these triggers we can choose to act in ways that fit our values and our goals; and in the process make better business decisions.

It's time to take back control of your actions!