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Dr Steve Peters uses a simple yet effective analogy to explain how the human brain works. He explains that there are three different parts of our psyche that roughly correspond to a physical part of our brain and that often conflict with each other. These three parts are the chimp (governed by the limbic system), the human (governed by the frontal lobe) and the computer (governed by the parietal lobe).
Your Chimp
Your chimp is that part of your psyche that primitively reaches out to the world making instinctive and emotional decisions to fulfil its two primary goals: survive and perpetuating the species. Whilst emotion-led behaviour might have catastrophic consequences it can sometimes become handy as it very good at picking up those subtle clues that our rational brain can’t. You cannot control your chimp as it is a wild animal, but you can learn to manage it.
Your Human
Contrary to the chimp, your human primary goals are self-fulfilment and societal-harmony. As such, its actions are governed by rational thoughts, putting things into context and looking for evidence.
Your Computer
Your computer is the control centre that will allow you to take actions based on your habits, beliefs and knowledge. It is capable to make decisions a lot faster then both the chimp and the human. It is further subdivided into four parts: the autopilot (positive beliefs or habit that guide you to act appropriately), Goblins (which are the negative beliefs that have being hard-wired in you when you were a child), Gremlins (which are negative beliefs that are a lot easier to replace with positive ones), stone of life (your probity).
Dr Steve Peters extensively talks about all these different part of the brain and gives great tips to help you manage the chimp so that you can live a happier and healthier life.
This book is for anyone who wants to know more about the mind and the emotions. Why do you do the things you do? Why do you think the way you think? Why do you choose A, and not B? What let you to that choice?
✅ “The person that you want to be is the person that you really are.”
💪🏻 “When you decide to do something, remind yourself that it is commitment not motivation that matters.”
🧘 “The best relationships are the ones where you accept the person as they are and work with this.”
🎯 “One thing is clear: that having a purpose in life is something that Humans thrive on.”
🦥 “The right part of the jungle is where your work and home environments are happy places to be.”
🏆 “So what are you going to do today that will make you happier and more successful?”
🏋️♂️ “Work out what you can control and what you can’t.”
🎯 If you want to know if your chimp is in control of your behaviour ask yourself the following questions: Do I want to feel this way? If the answer is no, then you are being controlled bu your chimp.
🎯 The chimp looks for quick, temporary fixes motivated by short-term gratifications. The human commits for long-term rewards and self-fulfilment.
🎯 Be proactive and not reactive. The more you plan your future in advance the less are the chances that you chimp will take over.
🎯 Live by your personal values and work to achieve your long term goals.
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Great book.
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