Last week we started a new series called Lies We Tell Ourselves. And I know that’s a provocative title. You might see that title and think “I don’t tell myself lies.” 

And listen, I get it. 

But I chose that title because I think it’s important to acknowledge the ways that our thoughts affect our lives. And how the things we tell ourselves – things we may or may not always be *consciously thinking* – get in the way of the things we really want in our life.

The truth is that we all lie to ourselves at times. And not because we want to or consciously choose to. It’s not on purpose. It’s because of how our human brain works. 

It’s about the primitive brain, the oldest part of our brain that’s in the back just above the brainstem. The primitive brain has been around since the dawn of man and it’s the part responsible for fight or flight. 

Its job is to sense danger and keep us safe. This is what kept our caveman ancestors alive instead of getting eaten by the lion. 

So, that part of your brain doesn’t like change. It categorizes change or “new” as dangerous.

What it *really likes* is for everything to stay the same. It wants you to be safe. So, in order to be safe, it needs to convince you to stay away from high risk activities.  

And when it comes to your career, when we let the primitive brain be in charge, it will try to convince you to keep things the way they are. It’ll convince you to not make any big changes or put yourself out into the world in new ways. Ways that have the potential for failure. 

So, as we talked about last week, typically these “Lies We Tell Ourselves” happen when there’s something big and new that we want to do in our career or life. 

Like a new job. 

A promotion. 

Starting a side hustle or business.

Or in our personal life, may it’s about losing weight.

Or starting or leaving an important relationship. 

Because what we’re thinking of doing is new. Or maybe because you’ve tried the thing before and failed, your brain classifies those things as too risky or dangerous, so it serves up a thought designed to create fear or uncertainty. 

It does that because it knows that if you’re feeling uncertain, you’re less likely to follow-through and actually DO that scary thing you’re thinking of doing. 

Instead, if you believe whatever lie your brain serves up about the danger of the thing, you instead might choose to just stay where you’re at. To maintain the status quo in your career or life. And that decision makes the primitive brain incredibly happy. It got what it wanted. It kept you safe.

For more, give the episode a listen.

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