Mind the Gap

Beliefs can make people do the strangest things.

Have you ever wondered why?

Have you ever considered the impact of our beliefs on our daily lives?

These hard-wired beliefs influence our behavior and shape our worldview.

Diving into this captivating universe of our brain introduces us to the fascinating interplay between neural connections, embedded beliefs, and the potential for change.

Studies in neuroscience are shedding light on the nature of beliefs. These findings reveal that beliefs are the result of fundamental brain processes that assign emotional significance to specific objects and events. By doing so, our brains enable us to set goals, make decisions, and navigate our surroundings, to name a few.

Our brains have a special region called the amygdala that plays a big role in emotions and memory. It's like the emotional control center of our brain. When something holds emotional significance, it sets off a reaction in the amygdala. This triggers the release of special chemicals and activates other parts of the brain.

So, when our brain assigns emotional significance to something, it's like flipping a switch that sets off a whole chain reaction. It can make us feel a rainbow of feelings, like fear or excitement. Our brain is pretty amazing when it comes to connecting our emotions to our experiences and guiding our thoughts and actions based on those emotions.

“Our beliefs control our bodies, our minds, and thus our lives.” Bruce H. Lipton Ph.D.

Now let's put it to the test. Imagine you're having a chill day, sipping on your favorite beverage, when suddenly your phone rings. You pick it up, "hello" you say and soon you realize it's a call offering you the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at the BIGGEST convention in your field.

The opportunity of a lifetime.

Now take a minute to think about it.

How do you feel? What do you think?

If you are like some people (most!) your heart skips a beat as excitement and panic flood your veins simultaneously.

In that very moment, inside the intricate world of your brain, a wild series of events begins to unfold.

As soon as the words "speaking in public" register in your mind, the amygdala jumps into action, triggering our fight-or-flight response. It senses the incoming threat of public speaking and sounds the alarm, unleashing a cascade of stress hormones like adrenaline into your bloodstream.

Simultaneously, another brain area called the prefrontal cortex jumps in to assess the situation. It's like the captain of the brain, responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and logical thinking. It evaluates the offer, weighing the pros and cons, and considers the potential rewards of accepting this nerve-wracking challenge.

However, the prefrontal cortex doesn't work alone. It relies on the hippocampus, which acts like a librarian of memories, to provide relevant past experiences. The hippocampus searches in its virtual library and summons up memories of past public speaking experiences. If those memories were positive and successful, it helps bolster your confidence. But if they were more on the embarrassing or anxiety-inducing side, it might fuel those nerves further.

Meanwhile, a network of brain regions known as the default mode network (DMN) kicks into gear. The DMN is responsible for self-reflection and social cognition. It starts pondering what others might think of your performance and how you will be perceived by the audience. This self-consciousness adds an extra layer of complexity to your thought process.

Back to the amygdala, which is still on high alert, it sends signals to the hypothalamus, a brain region in charge of regulating various bodily functions. The hypothalamus receives the distress call and sets off a chain reaction. Your heart rate increases, your palms may become sweaty, and you might even feel that fluttery sensation in your stomach. This is all part of the classic fight-or-flight response, preparing your body for action.

As your brain continues to process the situation, the prefrontal cortex and other regions start to intervene. They send calming signals to the amygdala, attempting to put a leash on the stress response. Deep breaths and positive self-talk may help to override the initial panic and encourage a more composed mindset.

As the internal debate reaches its peak, your brain finally reaches a decision. Will you accept the challenge and conquer the fear, or will you pass up the opportunity? Whatever you decide, remember that your brain has taken you on this exhilarating rollercoaster ride, activating various regions and orchestrating a symphony based on embedded beliefs (programs), thoughts and emotions.

Embedded Beliefs: The Blueprint of Our Perception

Our brains are like satellites, constantly receiving and processing sensory input from our surroundings, such as sights, tastes, sounds, smells, and touch, to construct our perception of the world. Acting with both an "antenna" and a power source, our brains absorb this information and solidify it into embedded beliefs, these programs, that shape our perspective. These beliefs have the potential to empower us, driving our ambitions and propelling us toward success. However, they can also become barriers, limiting our potential and hindering our progress.

Embedded beliefs are like the operating system of our brain. They dictate our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, often without us even realizing it. Understanding and challenging these beliefs is crucial for personal growth and transformation. Dr. Sarah Johnson, a leading neuroscientist.

Challenging the Status Quo: Rewiring Our Neural Pathways

It's good news that our brains possess remarkable plasticity, the ability to reorganize and form new connections throughout our lives. This means we have the power to rewire our neural pathways and reshape our embedded beliefs.

Dr. Daniel Miller, a renowned neuroscientist, emphasizes the importance of conscious effort in this process.

To change embedded beliefs, we need to engage in activities that challenge our existing neural connections. By exposing ourselves to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives, we create the opportunity for change.

So, how many times do we need to forget before we remember? How can we go about rewiring our brains and transforming our embedded beliefs? Here are a few practical suggestions:

Embrace Novel Experiences: Be Bold. Step outside of what you already know, and try new things. It will feel uncomfortable at the beginning. It will feel unfamiliar. It will feel uncertain. Acknowledge it, be aware of it, but don't let it stop you. Whether it's exploring unique and ground breaking knowledge, learning a musical instrument, or engaging with new people. Novel experiences stimulate the brain and encourage the formation of fresh neural connections. At any age.

Question Assumptions: Be Logic. Challenging assumptions allows us to break free from the constraints of narrow thinking and rigid viewpoints. It encourages us to think deeper, question the validity of our own beliefs, and consider alternative explanations or possibilities.

Engaging in the practice of questioning our assumptions allows us to constantly challenge and refine our beliefs. Research shows that logical thinking is a complex function that involves both conscious and unconscious processes. It relies on various cognitive abilities, including attention, memory, and executive functions. So, what you practice - gets stronger.

Practice Mindfulness: Be Aware. Cultivate self-awareness through mindfulness practices. Its fundamental goal is to develop a heightened sense of awareness and acceptance of one's thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, as they arise in the present moment.

Mindfulness gained significant popularity in recent years due to its potential benefits for mental well-being and overall quality of life. Moreover, exploring the integration of mindfulness in digital spaces can provide fascinating insights. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, several mindfulness apps and digital platforms have emerged. These platforms aim to make mindfulness practices more accessible and convenient for people seeking to incorporate them into their routines.

Seek Knowledge: Be Wise. It's about harnessing the vast reservoirs of wisdom we have acquired along our journey through life, while opening ourselves to new frontiers.

The first step is to Read. Read. Read! Exploring a variety of subjects that pique your interest. Whether it's books, articles, blogs, soaking up the knowledge that fascinates you.

Reading has a multitude of positive effects on the brain. When we read, our brain is engaged in several cognitive processes, such as decoding words, comprehending meanings, and making connections. This mental workout strengthens neural connections and improves brain function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, reading can enhance our language and communication skills. Adding to our "mental library" new words, sentence structures, and writing styles, improving our vocabulary and literacy.

But don't stop reading alone. Seek lectures, workshops, and seminars. Engage in meaningful conversations with others who share your passion for learning. These interactions provide valuable insights, different viewpoints, and fresh ideas.

Learning is an ongoing process, and it's important to expose ourselves to diverse sources of knowledge. As we absorb new information, we have the opportunity to reframe our beliefs in light of this fresh new information and turning it to new beliefs. This process allows us to evolve, adapt, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around us.

As Dr. Johnson aptly puts it,

Changing embedded beliefs requires consistent effort and a willingness to challenge the status quo. It's like embarking on an adventure within your own mind - a journey that can be transformative and liberating.

Liberating us to explore new uncharted realms and maybe even share with others, on stage, publicly speaking and thriving.

Venturing into the future

Our brain is a true masterpiece of complexity, a vast universe waiting to be explored. Embedded beliefs, deeply entrenched within our neural pathways, shape our perception and influence our lives. But armed with the knowledge of our brain's plasticity, we have the potential to rewrite our narratives and tap into our true potential.

As technology continues to advance and our understanding of the brain deepens, we stand on the precipice of an incredible journey - one where we can redefine our embedded beliefs and be the creators of our future, deliberately. Challenging the gaps in our minds, and embracing the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

In the words of Dr. Miller,

Our brain is a universe waiting to be explored. Let us be the pioneers of our own transformation.

So, go forth and mind the gap - the gap between what you believe and what is possible. It's time to rewrite your story, one neural connection at a time.