For Business Owners and Leaders Who Feel Reactive
It’s a rainy day. Lightning flashing, thunder crashing—and Izzy the wonder dog (emphasis on “wondering what the heck is going on”) simply doesn’t know what to do with herself.
It’s a big, scary world out there. Even though she’s inside the safe, warm house, Izzy isn’t having it. Her nervous system is on overload: she’s whining and anxious.
Izzy doesn’t realize there’s nothing to worry about. She’s safe.
Now, here’s the kicker: we humans aren’t all that different when we sense a threat.
Our nervous system throws a full-blown tantrum, and suddenly, our inner caveman takes the wheel.
Logic? Gone.
Nuance? Nope.
We’re in full-on reactive mode: fight, flight, or maybe just freeze and hope the scary thing goes away.
Even more surprisingly, this caveman brain pops up in the weirdest, most everyday situations.
Everyday Thunderstorms and Caveman Reactions
You know the drill: some joker cuts you off in traffic, and suddenly you’re channeling your inner race car driver, laying on the horn and tailgating. That’ll teach ’em!
Or your partner mentions those rogue socks on the floor (again!), and BAM. You’re not just hearing about socks—you’re hearing a personal attack on your very being. Naturally, you counter with the injustice of the unfolded laundry from three days ago. Classic caveman brain deflection.
But here’s the good news: unlike our furry friends, we’ve got a secret weapon.
Reframing: The Human Advantage
We can tell that caveman to chill out.
It’s surprisingly simple—though not always easy. It’s all about reframing your perspective.
That guy who cut you off? He’s not a jerk trying to ruin your commute. Maybe he’s racing to the hospital because his wife decided now was the perfect time for their little one to make an appearance.
Suddenly, the horn-honking urge fades a bit, right?
And those socks? Your partner isn’t nitpicking your stellar sock-dropping skills. She’s just trying to create a peaceful, organized home—a sanctuary from the storm, both literal and figurative.
Leading Through Storms: Why It Matters in Business
The point is, whether we let our inner caveman hijack the controls is ultimately up to us.
Change how you see the situation, and you change the whole darn thing.
Mastering your own mind is the absolute top-tier skill for living a good life and leading on purpose.
As business owners and leaders, our “thunder” might be market shifts, competition, or unexpected setbacks.
However, just like Izzy in our cozy house, we often have more control and safety than our panicked brains want us to believe.
So, next time you feel that caveman grumbling—or your inner Izzy whimpering—take a breath.
Reframe.
That “threat” isn’t so scary after all.
By consciously choosing a more positive and clear-headed perspective, you can not only navigate the storms but also build a business and a life that is less “wondering what the heck is going on” and a lot more “wonderfully thriving.”