95% of what you do isn't even you thinking
Studies have shown that 95% of our daily behaviour is automatic - driven by subconscious habits, not constant decisions.
Quite simply, most of the time - you are on autopilot !
The Reptilian Brain - The oldest part of your brain, designed for survival - not six packs
The reptilian brain, or Basal Ganglia, is the primal core of your nervous system.
It was developed millions of years ago when danger lurked around every corner, food was scarce and short term survival never guaranteed.
Its job at this time? Keep us alive !
How it did this?
- Avoided danger (run from predators)
- Conserving energy (food was scarce)
- Repetition (stick to doing what doesn't get you killed)
In a dangerous, unstable world, this strategy worked.
Back then if something was new or felt uncomfortable - it could kill you!
Your reptilian brain learned to say:
"Don't go there"
"Don't try that"
"Stay still, conserve energy"
"Store fat, you might not eat tomorrow"
Primitive hardware in the modern world
Fast forward to the modern day
Food is more abundant.Most of us have warmth and shelter.We are safe (mostly).
However, that same wiring from millions of years ago that kept you alive in tougher times is still alive and well in your body.
It does not care that you want a promotion at work, to own a shiny new car or even have six pack abs.
Its still in survival mode and is still subconsciously applying the lessons it learned back then to our lives now.
- You want to hit the gym - your lizard brain says "too risky, stay at home where its safe"
- Its why you find yourself in the fridge at a certain time each night
- You may find you turn to junk food when you're stressed
You've heard it talking to you before, its subtle and quiet but it is there.
The lizard brain does not recognise habits as good or bad - only that they have kept you alive so far.
You're living in 2025.
But its living in 10,000 BC !
Make The Lizard Work For You
Remember the Lizard Brain LOVES:
- Comfort
- Safety
- Repetition
It will always revert to its default setting and it all happens subconsciously - on autopilot.
The trick is to make this work for you, not against you.
We need to get the lizard on our side and make it want to establish habits that align with our goals.
How do we do it?
1) Give it Repetition
The lizard brain learns by doing the same thing, over and over.
No logic. No overthinking. Just pattern.
Same time. Same place. Same move.
Want to walk daily? Start at 7am, same route, every day.
The brain eventually says: 'Ah, this is who we are now'
2) Make it feel safe
Big changes feel like a threat to the lizard brain
' I'm going to train 6 days a eek and eat clean forever! = DANGER
Your brain hits the brakes.
💡Hack
Start so small its feels stupidly easy:
- Train for ten minutes
- Walk around the block
- Ten body eight squats upon waking
Small change = No threat = No resistance = You actually do it
3) Attach a Reward
The reptilian brain is Pavlovian - it responds to pleasure and Dopamine.
💡Hack
After a workout - small, instant reward
Examples
- Epic playlist
- Cold shower
- Gold star on habit tracker
Your brain learns: "We move - we feel good"
4) Use environmental triggers
Your lizard brain LOVES cues - they're like programming buttons
💡Hack
- Put your workout clothes by your bed
- Leave dumbbells int he living room
- Leave your gym bag in your car seat for when you finish work
Every cue becomes a mental shortcut to action
5) Talk Identity, Not Effort
💡Hack
Positive self talk - ' I'm the kind of person ho trains no matter what'
- ' Eating clean is who I am'
That’s identity. That sticks deeper than goals ever will.
Stop fighting the uphill battle of trying to out-motivate and out-discipline a 500 year old brain.
Rewire it and make it work for you:
- Repetition
- Rewards
- Tiny habits
- Identity cues
- Environmental design
🦎The lizard brain helped you survive in the harshest circumstances. Now it can help you thrive in the modern world.🏆
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