There is a part of your brain and my brain and all human brains that is the same as a lizard’s brain. It is the oldest part of your brain and it is basically responsible for telling you regularly that you might die.
This part of your brain is known as the limbic system and it is not logical or rational. It is the primal part of your brain that is involved in our behavioural and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviours we need for survival: feeding, reproduction and caring for our young, and fight or flight responses.
Or said another way, And I love this because all of the words that begin with the letter F make it easier to remember. It is in charge of fight, flight, feeding, fear, freezing up, and fornication.
So the reason that it is sometimes referred to as the lizard brain is because lizards basically only have a limbic system. They are pretty much without the higher centers of the brain that allow for logical thought and critical thinking.
Your lizard tries to keep you stuck in your old habits and tries to prevent you building your best second half because of always pushing the ‘You Might Die’ button.
Anytime you move toward new goal, you might feel super motivated at the beginning of the process but, inevitably….your lizard will show up.
This week’s homework is to listen (or re-listen) to Episode 2.6 of The Midlife Improvement Project whereI go into more detail about your lizard brain and then complete this week’s worksheet.
Wake Up to Life 2.0 – Week Four Worksheet
It’s time for Life 2.0, Let’s go!
Peggy
xo
