How the Mind Works

“Evolution has shaped our minds so that we are almost inevitably destined to suffer psychologically: to compare, evaluate, and criticise ourselves; to focus on what we’re lacking; to be dissatisfied with what we have; and to imagine all sorts of frightening scenarios, many of which will never happen. No wonder humans find it hard to be happy!”

Dr. Russ Harris, M.D. (The Happiness Trap)

Despite putting it to good use each and every day, many of us have little idea how our minds really work. We can solve complex business problems, but still feel like a failure on the inside. We can conquer tall mountains, but still feel like there’s more out there that needs to be done.

Our minds are our greatest gifts. And, often, our tallest hurdle. 

Why is that? 

Understanding how the mind works can be a strong starting foundation for overcoming mental health concerns, ranging from stress and anxiety to self-doubt and people-pleasing. 

What’s more, practical knowledge allows us to keep the best our minds have to offer, while setting aside some of the mind’s evolutionary quirks that hold us back. Helping you to amplify your impact in the world.

So, let’s dive in.

The Origins of the Mind

Roll back the clock thousands of years, and your ancestors lived very different lives. They hunted and gathered, huddled together in a pack for strength and survival. Their world was harsh, filled with dangers of all shapes and sizes. And the primary goal of their mind was simple. 

Survival. 

The mind was developed, first and foremost for safety. Safety from immediate surroundings. Safety from animals and weather. And, importantly, safety from being cast out of the pack. Life often depended on social standing and keeping fellow pack-members happy. 

But we don’t live in prehistoric times now. 

Or do we?

The Modern Mind

In the 21st Century, the dangers we face as humans are complex. For many of us, the threat of physical safety is not a day-to-day concern. Nor is the struggle for sufficient food, water, and other life-sustaining needs. 

Instead, we long for something more than staying alive. We long for success, power, purpose, love, and community. We want to matter to those around us. We want to leave a legacy that will endure long after we’re gone. 

But the mind we’re using to achieve these ends is still stuck in the Stone Age. It’s still scanning, ever focused on keeping us alive and secure in the tribe. Even as the tribe has changed to a complex web of social circles, interactions, and expectations. 

Our minds struggle to keep up. They don’t know how to analyze today’s dangers. They’re impacted by our core beliefs and life-altering events. And the resulting disconnect between what we want and the default mechanisms of our minds can lead many people to feel down. Defeated. Worthless or frustrated or angry. 

It’s no surprise, then, that 75% of our thoughts have some form of negative content (Dr. Russ Harris, M.D. The Happiness Trap). 

With a flood of negative thoughts our nervous system is triggered and many of us spend a great deal of time in fight or flight mode. And, in response, our bodies engage in stress and anxiety. They also produce the hormone cortisol, which over time can lead to inflammation, diabetes, and other diseases.

This is especially true for those who have experienced childhood trauma. As an adult, we can rationalize terrifying events. But as children, our only form of processing is to internalize the pain. “There must be something wrong with me.”

Reimagining the Mind

Ok, so the human mind is hard-wired to scan for danger. And it often prioritizes the illusion of safety over all else. But for the 21st Century leader looking to retake control of their life, what can be done to create happiness, purpose, and passion?

The answer lies inward.

Just as the mind is the source of our modern struggles. It can also be the driver of our future success. What the mind needs is training. A recalibration of the landscape that will allow the mind to step away from danger-scanning and embrace beauty. 

Instead of fear, you can have confidence. Instead of anxiety, you can feel assured. Instead of people-pleasing, you can create boundaries. You don’t have to allow these negative emotions to override your daily life, sapping you of joy and creativity. 

Often, all that’s required is to think differently about what’s already at your fingertips. 

Consider, for example, your current lot in life. Only, instead of thinking about all you don’t have, think about what you do have. You live in the healthiest and wealthiest time of human history. You have more access to freedom, education, healthcare, and amenities than every generation that came before you combined. 

And yet, rather than embracing our abundance, we endlessly look around. We crave more. We crave acceptance. We fail to appreciate just how much we truly have. 

We may also internalize negative thoughts, giving them power. 

When we don’t have an understanding of the human mind, and we don’t have the tools to engage with it, we may choose to shove our feelings down. Or they may lead us to bad habits like alcohol, shopping, and endlessly scrolling through social media.

We need a reimagining.

Want to Learn More About the Mind?

At Resources Reimagined, I’m committed to the belief that every person has the capacity for an amazing life. And that sharing our gifts with others is a beautiful calling. But often, to reach our highest heights, we have to reshape how we view the mountain. 

That’s where mindset training comes in.

I hope you’ll join me on this journey.