Overcoming Your Lizard Brain: Why Fear Holds Us Back From Starting a Business for More Freedom

Let’s Talk Brains!

Yup, that 521 million-year-old mushy centre inside your skull, that’s the star of the show.  

Brains are responsible for everything we do. 

The fact you’re reading this blog? Proof you’ve got some squishiness up there (and that’s a good thing).

And besides all the amazing stuff our brains do, like breathing, remembering, talking, and moving they also have a weird habit of freaking out whenever you want to try something new…especially if it promises more freedom, and starting your own thing! 

The Rollercoaster Effect (and Why Your Brain Freaks Out)

Ever queued up for a rollercoaster? You spend a couple of minutes just staring, sizing up every twist and turn. As soon as you’re in line, your brain starts spinning all the worst-case scenarios:

– What if the ride breaks?

– What if today’s my “doomed” day?

– What if those harnesses come loose? (They look loose, don’t they?)

Then it’s your turn. 

You gulp, sit in the ride (eyes closed), bars hugging you tight. 

Two minutes of screaming later… and guess what?  

None of those wild scenarios happened. Maybe you swallowed a fly, but hey. 

Meet Your Lizard Brain (a.k.a. The Freedom Blocker keeping You Hostage)

That’s your lizard brain in action, launching your fight-or-flight response and doing its best to keep you safe.

Your lizard brain, a fundamental part of your brain’s anatomy, acts as a primal survival mechanism, always on alert for perceived threats and dangers.

This ancient part of your brain has evolved to prioritise safety over creativity, often keeping you from taking risks that could lead to personal growth and success.

Unfortunately, it can serve as a gatekeeper to the freedom and opportunities you seek.

When faced with new ideas or challenges, the lizard brain kicks in, often generating feelings of fear and hesitation that can ultimately paralyse you.

But here’s the catch:  

That “safe” feeling is also why so many people don’t make the move into a job or business that actually fulfills them or gives them more freedom.

Plenty of folks would rather spend the next 20, 30, even 40 years in a job they hate (just because it pays the bills) than risk giving something new a shot, something they might actually enjoy.  

Look, I wont BS you, by starting your own thing for more freedom, to become unemployable, well, that’s terrifying.

So most people don’t even try.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves (That Steal Our Freedom)

Think about it, when you get the urge to do something that lights you up, you then catch yourself thinking:

– “What if it doesn’t work out?”

– “It’s been done before.”

– “People won’t buy from me… I’m not a sales person.”

– “What will people think? This is a silly idea.”

– “You know nothing about this, so why bother?”

You’re not alone.  

Everyone has these thoughts.

Even me, like MOST days.

It’s just your lizard brain again trying to protect you from the unknown, but also holding you back from making the move to more freedom, and more you.

How to Start Overcoming Your Lizard Brain (and Claim More Freedom)

Here’s the good news:  

You can outsmart your lizard brain. You don’t have to pretend fear isn’t there, just learn to move forward with it, so you can create more freedom in your life. Here’s how:

1. Acknowledge the Fear

 Notice when your brain starts spinning those disaster stories. Recognise them for what they are, just stories.

2. Flip the Script

 Ask yourself: “What’s the BEST that could happen?” Imagine things going right. How much more freedom could you enjoy if they did?

3. Take Tiny Steps

You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow. Test your idea in a low-risk way. Every small action is a step towards more freedom.

4. Remember Past Wins 

Think of a time you did something scary (even if it was just surviving that rollercoaster!). You made it, and you opened up new possibilities for more freedom.

5. Connect With Others

Talk to someone who’s done what you want to do. They were scared too, and they’ll tell you it gets easier, and the freedom is worth it.

Final Thoughts: You’re Braver Than You Think (and Closer to More Freedom Than You Realise)

Your lizard brain just wants to keep you safe.

But you don’t have to let it keep you stuck.

If you’ve ever felt the urge to start something new a business, a side hustle, a different way of working for more freedom in your life, know that you’re not alone.

You’re not “broken.” You’re just human.

Next time your brain tries to scare you out of trying, remember:  

You’ve survived every “scary” thing so far.

You’ll survive this, too, and find more freedom on the other side.

Have you ever noticed your lizard brain holding you back from chasing more freedom or starting a business?

Drop your story in the comments, I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re ready to make your move (even if it’s scary), you’re in good company.

Let’s do it scared, together.