[Neurons] 2021 Neurons #52

[Michael Hall]

From: L. Michael Hall

2021 Neurons #52

August 16, 2021

Be the Executive #3

 

TAKING EXECUTIVE CONTROL

  

Built into your brain are multiple executive functions.  That's a given and
it establishes a great human capacity.  It establishes a capacity that
explains "human potential" and why and how it extends far, far beyond the
potential of any animal.  With their instincts, animals are quite limited.
They are programmed and their programming tells them all they need to know
in terms of who they are, what they are to do, how to live, who they eat,
who eats them, etc.

 

The situation is completely- completely- different and unique with us
humans.  We don't have information content instincts.  Maslow said that at
best we have "instinctoids," left over remnants from instincts that have no
content, only a drive or urge.  And the problem with these urges is that in
feeling them, we really don't know what they are signaling us- do we need to
eat, drink, sleep, mate, or what?  

 

We are without programs.  And as "You can't tell the players without a
program" so we can't tell who we are, what we are, what we're to do, what to
eat, who wants to eat us, etc.  Enter the executive functions.  These are
the higher level brain functions that enable us to learn what we need to
learn, and in learning, we create our own programming.   Ah, yes, be careful
what you learn!  

Your learning and the meanings that you construct become the instincts that
you live.

 

Now given that you can learn some really stupid things, destructive things,
things that violate your health, well-being, relationships, ability to live
peacefully with yourself, and on and on- the central key to effective and
joyful human living is effectively using your thinking and learning
potentials! 

 

How sad it is that a human being doesn't elevate thinking (critical and
creative thinking) and learning as the most critical skills that one needs
to be effective, efficient, and happy!  These executive functions- thinking,
learning, deciding, and developing wisdom - define your potential.  They
give you a pathway to actualizing your highest potentials and your best
performances. 

 

But you have to take control.  Here's another critical distinction between
humans and animals.  Because they have their programs and are programmed by
their instincts and we are not- you can become your own best programmer, if
you accept that responsibility.  And you have an executive function in your
higher brain functions to do just that. 

 

In NLP we call this "running your own brain."  In many psychologies and
philosophies it is called "accepting personal responsibility."  Otto Rank
developed the concept of will.  William Glasser made this his primary theme
in Reality Therapy and in Control Theory.

But what if you don't?  What if, instead of detecting your executive
functions of thinking, learning, and deciding, you choose to default to
whatever programs that your parents gave you, the programs in your culture,
school, media, etc.?  The paradox here is that even in choosing to not take
control, you are already exercising control- only you are giving all of your
control away!   You are giving all of your power away.  You are powerfully
thinking, learning, and choosing to be a victim.

 

Now there are several secondary gains that you will get from this: You can
enjoy the pleasure of blaming.  You can blame parents, society, history,
genetics, government, some particular person - you can blame them for
everything that you experience that's wrong.  You can also evade the effort
of assuming responsibility for using your mind, developing your learning
skills, and for making wise choices.  You can depend on others for your
happiness.  You can depend on family, friends, or government for bailing you
out of your troubles.  Of course, none of that describes a very happy way to
live.

 

Conversely, you could step up to the human plate and take executive control.
You could choose to be the CEO of you and of your life.  You can be the one
exercising critical thinking, creative thinking, effective learning, and
wise choosing.  It is possible.  In Neuro-Semantics we call this "human
potential" and our focus is on actualizing that potential to its fullest.

 

 

                                                                       

For more: See Unleashed!  Or Winning the Inner Game.          

              Or if you're ready for the heavy stuff: Neuro-Semantics and/or
Meta-States.

              Or the Executive series: Executive Thinking, Executive
Learning, Executive Decisions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

L. Michael Hall, Ph.D., Executive Director 

Neuro-Semantics 

P.O. Box 8

Clifton, CO. 81520 USA                             

               1 970-523-7877 

132607 NeuroSemantics Executive Learning Front Cover

 

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