Your brain is not telling the truth…

As lawyers, we are GREAT at using our ‘executive’ brain. 

That’s the part of our brain capable of reasoning and problem solving. 

Let us loose analysing some complex documents or making a logical argument and we are on FIRE! Very useful. High fives all round. ☺

But being great at that comes with a downside. 

We tend to over-estimate the accuracy of our thoughts. 

We start to believe that we’re purely rational creatures.  

And that is just not accurate. 

The executive function of our brain might be fantastic. 

But the other parts of our brain are running the show most of the time. 

I’m talking about the part of your brain that is constantly scanning for danger and hasn’t evolved to understand modern working environments. 

This is why you realise, on reflection, that the 20-minutes of panic you felt over the possibility that your boss MIGHT be annoyed with you, over a mistake you MIGHT have made…. was probably unjustified. 

But in the moment, you heart was beating out of your chest and you were seriously considering hiding under your desk for the rest of the day. 

So why am I making the point? 

Just so you know that not every thought you have is rational or the ‘truth’. 

• Maybe that presentation wasn’t a “total disaster”. 
• Maybe your boss doesn’t think “you’re an idiot”.  
• Maybe you are “good enough”. 

Don’t believe everything your brain sends your way.