“What’s the one thing you’ve been avoiding?”

Hold that thought. Got it? Good. Because today, we’re taking the next step: aligning your human brain to take action.

In the last two articles, we explored the chaotic interplay between the lizard, mammal, and human brains. Your lizard brain screams for survival and comfort, your mammal brain craves emotional safety, and your human brain dreams big but often gets hijacked by the other two.

Recognizing this internal conflict is our first step towards self mastery. 

But awareness alone isn’t enough. Knowing why you procrastinate doesn’t make you stop. Understanding your fears won’t dissolve them. What truly changes your life is action—small, consistent action taken with courage and focus.

Why Prioritization Matters

Imagine your brain as a team of rowers in a boat. Each subbrain paddles in a different direction, and the boat—your life—stays stuck, spinning in circles. I’ve been there. I wanted to work out, build relationships, pursue creative projects, learn an instrument, and practice dancing—all at once.

Instead of progress, I was spread too thin. My reptilian and mammal brains kept pulling me toward comfort and distraction, sabotaging my efforts. Everything I did felt half-baked, and my accomplishments were meager. Sound familiar? The result was frustration, despair, and a nagging sense of incompetence

You’re the captain, and your human brain needs to make a decision so it can align the other two: what will you confront first?

It wasn’t until I started prioritizing—deciding which direction to row first—that I finally felt like I was making progress. I gave myself permission to focus on one goal and let the rest sit idle for now. By channeling my energy into one area and taking consistent action there, I began to feel a sense of control and momentum. Everything else became secondary, and that was okay.

Now, a few years later, I’ve built a business, lost 20kg, improved my dating life, minimized drinking, and consistently follow dancing classes (though I could use a few more—jeez!).

Choosing Your First Move

What’s the one step that, if taken, would ripple into every area of your life?

Here are a few examples from my life that I worked on over the years:

• Health: Commit to going to the gym three times a week.
• Relationships: Consistently approach attractive women and start a conversation.
• Career: Begin working on that business idea I have been overthinking for years.
• Presenting:  Take stand-up improv lessons to build confidence in front of crowds.
• Emotional Connection: Open up and share my true feelings with loved ones, instead of keeping them bottled up.

Don’t overwhelm yourself. You’re not rewriting your entire life today. Instead, focus on one small, actionable step—something that feels challenging but achievable. Not too easy, not too hard.

Ask yourself: “What small step scares me but excites me at the same time?”

If the thought paralyzes you, make it smaller. Break it into something simpler and less intimidating. The goal isn’t to conquer everything at once but to take a single step forward. Even a tiny step builds momentum and confidence, paving the way for bigger leaps later.

The Power of Incremental Steps

True growth is incremental. It’s not about taking one giant leap but a thousand small ones. These steps might feel insignificant at first, but they compound over time.

For example, if you want to get fit but haven’t exercised in years, don’t aim for an hour-long workout. Start with 10 minutes. Over time, those 10 minutes become 20, then 30. You build momentum, confidence, and strength—all by stepping slightly outside your comfort zone.

The same applies to fears. If social anxiety holds you back, don’t start with a speech to hundreds. Start with a smile at a stranger or a simple “hello.”

This is what I did, and it worked. Each small victory rewires your brain, proving to your lizard and mammal that you’re safe—and capable, which you are <3.

Courage: The Bridge Between Awareness and Action

Taking that first step is scary. Your lizard brain sounds alarms, and your mammal brain begs for comfort. This is where courage and willpower come in.

Courage doesn’t mean being fearless—it means acting despite fear. Think of it as a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. The more you confront discomfort, the easier it gets.

I’ll never forget the day I mustered the courage to approach a beautiful girl at my gym. I remember pacing back and forth, debating whether to go for it. My mammal brain was in overdrive: What if she laughs? What if it’s awkward? I almost walked away, but a small spark of courage pushed me forward.

I introduced myself, stumbled over my words, and asked her out. She said no—but gracefully. She complimented me for having the confidence to approach her and encouraged me to keep trying. Even though I didn’t get the result I’d hoped for, I walked away feeling incredible. I had faced my fear and taken action.

Here’s the surprising part: instead of dwelling on the rejection, I felt a surge of confidence. I wanted to do it again.

Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at the moments that once terrified me. What felt insurmountable then doesn’t faze me anymore. I overcame it—and so can you.

Your Assignment: One Step, One Decision

What is currently scaring me as I write this article is actually publishing it—uploading it to my blog, sharing it on Twitter, and exposing it to the world. My mammal brain is in overdrive, flooding me with doubt and fear:

What if people think it’s stupid?

What if they criticize me or, worse, ignore it entirely?

What if my writing is just not good enough?

The tension is real, almost palpable. My mammal brain wants to protect me, to keep me safe from rejection and judgment. It whispers that staying in my comfort zone is easier, safer. But my human brain knows better—it knows that growth doesn’t happen in safety.

So, I’ve decided to publish this anyway—not because I’m fearless, but because I’ve learned to act despite fear. And here’s the truth: I may still feel uncertain and vulnerable, but by hitting that “publish” button, I’m aligning my actions with my goals, not my fears.

Now, it’s your turn. Choose one area of your life to focus on. Write down a small, specific action you can take this week—something simple but bold enough to challenge you.

For example:

Walk into a gym and look around—don’t even work out yet.

Say hello to one stranger.

Spend 15 minutes brainstorming your business idea.

Wherever you are, your next action should strike a balance: slightly scary but genuinely exciting. That’s where the magic happens.

Now, take that step. No excuses, no overthinking. Just act.

Self Mastery is key to pursuing wisdom

Self-mastery is a journey, not a destination. By turning awareness into consistent, courageous action, we begin to align the chaotic voices within us. It’s not about silencing fear or discomfort but guiding them with patience and understanding. Each step forward—no matter how small—creates momentum, builds confidence, and transforms potential into progress.

As we close this chapter on aligning the human brain, the message is clear: true growth comes from acting despite fear, focusing on incremental victories, and embracing the power of prioritization. Your next step isn’t about overhauling your life but committing to a single, meaningful action that feels both challenging and exciting.

In the next blog, Self-Mastery IV: Aligning the Reptilian Brain by Bridging Instinct and Intention, we’ll explore the primal force within us: the reptilian brain. While it often feels like a stubborn obstacle, this part of our mind is a survival machine we can learn to work with. By addressing its needs and calming its impulses, we’ll uncover strategies to transform instinct-driven resistance into a foundation for growth.

Your journey continues, one step at a time