The amygdala, a small but powerful part of the brain, reacts to fear in the same way regardless of the situation. In some cases, this reaction is life-saving, preventing truly dangerous or reckless behavior. However, in many everyday situations, the amygdala can “hijack” the brain and hold people back from opportunities that could actually benefit them.
Take
the
fear
of
public
speaking,
for
example.
For
professionals
seeking
to
expand
their
reach,
build
a
stronger
audience,
and
increase
revenue,
speaking
in
front
of
groups
can
be
a
vital
skill.
Yet
the
amygdala
often
interprets
this
as
a
threat,
triggering
anxiety,
avoidance,
or
even
procrastination.
Similarly,
this
hijack
can
appear
when
making
a
sales
call,
asking
for
a
raise,
or
stepping
into
other
high-visibility
opportunities.
When fear takes over, the brain convinces itself that avoiding the task is safer—even when the risk is only perceived. The result is procrastination, missed opportunities, and unnecessary stress. For entrepreneurs, this might look like tidying the house instead of launching a podcast, or starting a side project instead of finally recording that long-planned video.
The good news is that the amygdala can be calmed, and the brain can be retrained to respond differently. One of the most effective techniques is simply having a direct conversation with the brain. Asking questions like, “What exactly am I afraid of?” or “What is the worst that could realistically happen?” helps bring subconscious fears to the surface. Often, the realization follows that rejection, failure, or imperfection is not life-threatening—rather, it is part of growth.
Mind
mapping
can
also
be
a
powerful
tool.
By
writing
down
fears,
emotions,
and
potential
obstacles
in
a
freeform
way—without
worrying
about
neat,
linear
notes—the
brain
processes
the
information
more
creatively.
Words
like
“intimidation”
or
“anxiety”
scribbled
across
a
page
can
help
externalize
hidden
emotions,
making
them
easier
to
analyze
and
reframe.
It is also important to recognize that fear is not always rooted in the present. Deep-seated beliefs, often shaped in early life, can contribute to these automatic reactions. For example, someone who grew up being told to “be quiet” may carry lingering anxiety about speaking up. Identifying these roots allows for greater awareness and, over time, the chance to rewrite the narrative. The more these positive mental conversations take place, the more the brain begins to accept new patterns: This isn’t scary. This is training. This is learning. Over time, the amygdala’s power to hijack weakens, making space for clarity, courage, and success.
Fear doesn’t have to dictate the outcome. The next time the amygdala tries to hijack progress, pause and take three clear steps:
By
actively
engaging
with
the
brain—through
self-questioning,
reframing,
and
writing—individuals
can
shift
their
mindset
from
fear
to
growth.
Failure
then
becomes
not
a
setback
but
a
stepping
stone,
a
learning
experience
that
builds
resilience
and
prepares
the
mind
for
future
challenges.
When
you
break
the
cycle
of
procrastination
with
small,
intentional
actions,
the
brain
begins
to
learn
that
fear
is
manageable—and
that
progress
is
possible.
Over
time,
these
small
steps
build
confidence,
retrain
the
amygdala,
and
open
the
door
to
bigger
opportunities.
-Julie "Brain Lady" Anderson