Ever wonder why it feels so hard to break free from old habits or patterns, even when you know they don’t serve you? Why do we tend to stay in jobs, relationships, or routines that don’t make us happy, despite wanting more for ourselves? The answer lies in the way our brain is wired to keep us safe, but in the process, it can also keep us stuck.
Your brain is a powerful organ, but it’s also a bit of a trickster. It’s designed to ensure survival, not your happiness. So, it does everything in its power to keep you inside your comfort zone, where things feel predictable and safe. But here’s the thing: growth happens outside of that comfort zone, and the very safety mechanisms your brain uses to protect you are often what hold you back.
Why Your Brain Loves Comfort Zones
The brain is efficient, its job is to save energy and avoid threats. To do this, it runs on autopilot, relying on past experiences to predict outcomes. This is why routines feel comfortable and change feels hard. When you encounter something unfamiliar, your brain detects a potential risk, even if it’s something as harmless as trying a new approach at work or speaking up in a meeting.
Neurologically, this is because the brain interprets discomfort as danger. The amygdala, which processes fear, reacts to the unknown as if you’re stepping into a life-threatening situation. This response triggers stress and anxiety, prompting you to retreat into familiar habits or thoughts. But staying in that comfort zone isn’t where real change happens.
Being Smarter Than Your Brain
The good news is that you can outsmart your brain. You can train it to work for you, instead of letting it limit you. The key is becoming conscious of your thoughts and how they influence your behaviors. Rather than letting your autopilot keep you safe (and stuck), you can take control by catching those thoughts in real-time and consciously shifting them.
- Recognize the Comfort Zone Voice
Your brain’s trickery often manifests as self-doubt or excuses. It might say things like, “You’re not good enough,” “It’s too risky,” or “What if you fail?” The first step is recognizing when this voice pops up. By becoming aware of these limiting thoughts, you start to weaken their influence. - Challenge the Thought
Once you’ve identified the limiting thought, question it. Ask yourself, “Is this really true?” or “What’s the worst that could happen if I try?” Often, you’ll find that your brain is creating a much bigger obstacle than what exists in reality. - Reframe the Thought
Replace the disempowering thought with one that opens up possibilities. For example, if the thought is, “I’m not good enough to lead this project,” reframe it to, “I have valuable skills and insights that can contribute to this project’s success.” By doing this, you start to create new mental pathways that support growth. - Take Small, Deliberate Steps
The brain likes patterns, so create new ones, starting with small actions. These small wins gradually show your brain that stepping outside of the comfort zone doesn’t equal danger. Over time, your brain adapts, and what once felt risky becomes second nature.
Why Consciousness Is the Key to Change
By being conscious of your thoughts and actively working to shift them, you interrupt the brain’s default wiring. Neuroscience shows that our brains are plastic, meaning they can change and adapt throughout our lives. When you challenge the old patterns, you create new neural pathways that support the behaviors and beliefs you want to adopt.
But this requires consistent work. Each time you catch a limiting thought and choose to replace it with something empowering, you’re essentially “tricking” your brain into seeing change not as a threat, but as an opportunity. And this is exactly what we do with my coaching clients during our 1:1 sessions. (I explain more of the Neuroscience-based Coaching in another article you can read here.)
A Guideline to Trick Your Brain
- Start With Awareness: Become aware of how often your brain pulls you back into comfort by reflecting on your daily patterns and behaviors. Where are you playing it safe? Where do you feel resistance to change?
- Journal Your Thoughts: Each time you encounter a limiting thought or fear, write it down. Then, actively challenge it. Ask yourself if it’s a fact or just a perception your brain is holding onto.
- Mindset Shifts: Develop a habit of flipping the script on your disempowering beliefs. Replace thoughts of “I can’t” with “I can” or “I’ll try.” Over time, this builds new belief systems that align with your goals.
- Push Beyond Discomfort: Each day, do one small thing that stretches your comfort zone. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, taking on a new challenge, or even introducing yourself to someone new, the more you do this, the less resistance your brain will have.
Remember…
Your brain is always working to protect you, but sometimes its instincts get in the way of growth. The key is learning how to work with your brain rather than against it. By becoming conscious of your thoughts, challenging limiting beliefs, and taking deliberate actions, you can outsmart your brain’s natural desire for comfort and open yourself up to new possibilities.
Transformation starts when you stop letting your brain trick you, and begin using it to your advantage. So, are you ready to get smarter than your brain? If so, I’m happy to assist you in your process.
Here for you,
Aleksandra