Prime Your Brain to STOP Stress, Anxiety & Fear INSTANTLY

Summary

The video script discusses the concept of 'priming', a psychological principle where our thoughts and behaviors are influenced by environmental cues. It explains how advertisers and marketers use priming to affect consumers, but individuals can also apply it to control their reactions to triggers. The speaker shares studies and examples, such as the 'hot versus iced coffee' experiment, to demonstrate priming's power. The script encourages viewers to actively prime themselves to transform their emotional states, suggesting that by doing so, they can handle life's challenges more effectively and maintain a positive outlook, regardless of external circumstances.

Takeaways

• 🚂 The speaker uses the metaphor of trains to illustrate how our perceptions and reactions to the same stimuli can change over time.
• 😤 The script discusses the common issue of being triggered by people or situations in our environment and the importance of managing our reactions to these triggers.
• 🧠 It introduces the concept of 'priming' as a psychological principle that influences our thoughts and behaviors, which is often used by advertisers and marketers.
• 💡 The speaker emphasizes the power of self-priming to take control of our mental state and not be at the mercy of external influences.
• 📚 A study from Harvard is mentioned to demonstrate the powerful effect of priming, where people's perceptions of a character were influenced by holding either hot or cold coffee.
• 🎵 The transcript mentions how certain environments, like restaurants and wine shops, use music to prime customers to behave in specific ways, such as eating faster or choosing certain products.
• 👶 The speaker shares a personal story about his son Josh and the influence of a friend who was wired to find joy and humor in almost anything, illustrating how people can prime each other.
• 👫 The importance of choosing the right friends is highlighted, as they can prime us to be in certain states of mind, which can be beneficial or detrimental.
• 💖 The speaker advises on the power of priming in relationships, suggesting that consistent reactions can train others to feel certain emotions towards us.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The concept of priming is likened to training, where we train our brains, minds, and emotions, and the idea that we can prime ourselves for any situation.
• 🌟 The speaker encourages the audience to prime themselves for a minimum of 10 to 21 days to experience a transformation in how they interact with the world and handle challenges.

Q & A

What is the main idea discussed in the video script?

The main idea discussed in the video script is the concept of 'priming' and how it can be used to influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying priming to oneself to improve one's reactions to various situations and environments.

What is 'priming' in psychological terms?

In psychological terms, 'priming' is the phenomenon where exposure to one stimulus influences a response to a subsequent stimulus. It suggests that our thoughts are often influenced by environmental cues, and we can use this knowledge to control our reactions to different situations.

Why is it important to prime oneself according to the speaker?

It is important to prime oneself because it allows individuals to be less at the mercy of external influences and to manage their reactions to situations more effectively. By priming oneself, one can transform negative triggers into positive responses and maintain a more positive and productive mindset.

What is an example of priming given in the script?

An example given in the script is a study conducted at Harvard where people were asked to hold either a hot or an iced coffee. Later, when asked to describe a character in a story, those who held the hot coffee described the character as warm and genuine, while those with iced coffee described the character as cold and calculating.

How can priming be used in advertising and marketing?

Priming can be used in advertising and marketing to subtly influence consumer behavior. For instance, playing certain types of music in a restaurant can make customers eat faster during busy hours, or playing Italian music in a wine store can lead to a higher sale of Italian wines.

What is the role of friends in the process of priming, as mentioned in the script?

Friends play a significant role in priming because they can influence our emotional states and behaviors. The script mentions that spending time with a friend who finds joy and humor in almost anything can prime us to be in a more playful state.

How can priming affect our interactions with others?

Priming affects our interactions with others by shaping our emotional responses and attitudes. For example, if we prime ourselves to feel love and appreciation when we see someone, our interactions will be more positive and nurturing compared to if we prime ourselves with negative emotions.

What is the speaker's recommendation for using priming?

The speaker recommends using priming for at least the next 10 days, ideally 21, and then some may decide to commit to it regularly, such as 5 or 7 days a week. The speaker suggests making it the first thing in the morning for about 10 minutes to start the day in a positive state.

How does the speaker describe the power of priming in shaping our internal state?

The speaker describes the power of priming as a tool to shape our internal state by training our brains, minds, and emotions. By actively priming ourselves, we can transform our reactions to situations and develop a sense of certainty and strength from within.

What is the potential impact of not priming oneself according to the script?

According to the script, not priming oneself can lead to being stuck with old conditioning and reacting to situations based on past experiences rather than a more positive and controlled response. It can also result in negative emotions such as fear, sadness, depression, and overwhelm.

How does the speaker relate the concept of priming to the idea of certainty and uncertainty?

The speaker relates priming to certainty and uncertainty by stating that priming oneself can lead to a sense of certainty from within, which is essential for effective leadership and personal growth. Uncertainty, on the other hand, often leads to fear and negative emotions, which can be mitigated through the practice of priming.

Outlines

00:00

🚂 The Power of Priming

This paragraph discusses the psychological concept of priming and its impact on our daily lives. It begins with a nostalgic reflection on childhood fascination with trains, contrasting this with the adult reaction to trains as an annoyance. The speaker uses this as a metaphor to introduce the idea of priming, explaining that our thoughts and reactions are often influenced by environmental cues. The concept is not new, but it is underutilized by individuals, with advertisers and marketers being the primary users. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying priming to take control of one's reactions and emotions. A study from Harvard is cited as evidence of priming's power, where participants' perceptions of a character were influenced by whether they were given hot or iced coffee. The speaker also mentions how businesses use environmental cues like music to influence customer behavior. The paragraph concludes with an encouragement to actively prime oneself to transform one's reactions and emotions.

05:01

😄 Cultivating Joy and Humor Through Priming

The second paragraph delves into the personal impact of priming, using the speaker's son, Josh, and his friend as examples. It highlights how spending time with someone who finds joy and humor in almost anything can prime one to adopt a similar playful state. The speaker recounts an incident with his daughter and her boyfriend, illustrating how consistent reactions to situations can prime others to respond in kind. The importance of priming oneself to feel strong, confident, and loved is underscored, as opposed to allowing external factors to dictate one's emotional state. The speaker suggests that by priming oneself positively, one can handle problems and challenges more effectively. The paragraph concludes with a call to action to prime oneself for at least 10 to 21 days to establish a new, more positive default state of mind, which can be quickly and easily accessed when needed. The speaker emphasizes the power of internal control over one's emotional state, as opposed to being at the mercy of external uncertainties.

Keywords

💡Priming

Priming is a psychological principle that suggests that exposure to certain stimuli can influence subsequent thoughts and actions without conscious awareness. In the video, priming is used to illustrate how our environment and experiences can shape our reactions and behaviors. For example, the script mentions a study where people who held hot coffee perceived others as 'warm and genuine,' while those who held iced coffee perceived them as 'cold and calculating,' demonstrating the power of priming on perception.

💡Playful

Playful refers to an attitude or behavior that is light-hearted, fun, and engaging. The video uses the concept of 'playful' to describe a shift in perspective from seeing something as a threat or annoyance to finding joy and humor in it. The speaker recounts a childhood experience with trains and contrasts it with an adult reaction, suggesting that adopting a playful attitude can transform our responses to stimuli.

💡Triggers

Triggers are stimuli that evoke an involuntary response, often an emotional one. In the context of the video, triggers are environmental elements, people, or situations that provoke negative reactions. The speaker encourages viewers to change their reactions to these triggers by understanding and applying the concept of priming, thus taking control of their emotional responses.

💡Influence

Influence in this video refers to the ability to affect or change the behavior, thoughts, or actions of others. The speaker discusses how advertisers and marketers use priming to influence consumers, and how individuals can use self-priming to influence their own states of mind. The video emphasizes the power of priming as an unconscious tool of influence.

💡Uncertainty

Uncertainty is a state of being unsure or lacking information. The video mentions that uncertainty is a dominant emotion in the world, leading to fear and potentially to sadness, depression, and overwhelm. The speaker suggests that by priming oneself with positive states, one can counteract the negative effects of uncertainty.

💡Certainty

Certainty is the state of being sure or having confidence. The video contrasts uncertainty with certainty, suggesting that successful individuals, such as athletes and leaders, possess an inner certainty that comes from self-priming. This inner certainty allows them to handle challenges more effectively.

💡Emotions

Emotions are feelings that can be intense and can influence thoughts and behaviors. The video discusses the role of emotions in priming, explaining that by priming oneself with positive emotions, one can change reactions to previously negative triggers. The speaker uses the example of a child's fear of buses being overcome by a playful friend.

💡Environment

Environment in this context refers to the surroundings or conditions in which a person lives or operates. The video script talks about how the environment can prime individuals with certain stimuli, such as music in restaurants that can make people eat faster or choose certain wines based on the music played.

💡Control

Control in the video is about having power over one's internal state and reactions. The speaker emphasizes that while we cannot control the external world, we can have absolute control over our internal world by using priming to manage our responses to situations and stimuli.

💡Transformation

Transformation refers to a profound change in form, appearance, or character. The video suggests that through the practice of priming, individuals can undergo a transformation in their emotional responses and attitudes, turning what was once irritating into something that brings joy or strength.

💡Best Interest

Best interest refers to the most favorable or advantageous conditions or outcomes for an individual. The video mentions that people are often primed by others who may not have their best interest in mind. By understanding and applying priming, individuals can ensure that their reactions are aligned with their own best interests.

Highlights

Childhood fascination with trains as a metaphor for changing perspectives on irritations in adulthood.

The concept of priming and its psychological impact on thoughts and behaviors.

Priming as an underutilized tool by individuals, commonly used by advertisers and marketers.

The importance of self-priming to avoid being influenced negatively by others.

A Harvard study demonstrating the power of priming with hot and iced coffee.

How environmental factors like music can prime behaviors in restaurants.

The influence of music on consumer choices, such as wine purchases.

The idea of priming as a form of mental and emotional training.

The story of Josh overcoming fear and the role of a friend's positive influence.

The impact of friends on priming each other's emotional states.

The power of consistent priming to shape people's reactions and behaviors.

The importance of priming oneself to transform negative experiences into positive ones.

The role of certainty as an internal state that can be primed, contrasting external uncertainty.

The suggestion to commit to priming for at least 10 to 21 days for consistent results.

Starting the day with priming to ensure a positive and ready state to handle challenges.

The ability to quickly prime oneself as a skill that becomes more accessible with practice.

The control over internal states versus the limited control over external circumstances.

Transcripts

how many of you when you were kids if a

train was coming by you try to get near

it run by it watch it maybe count the

number of cars on the train how many

used to do that when you were a little

kid now you're on the way to work a

train comes freaking

train I'll give you clue the train

didn't

change but if every time you stay

playful it'll get better and better and

pretty soon the very sound that

irritated you will put a smile on your

face how many of you have something in

your environment a person or situation

that gets they come in it pisses you off

or it annoys you so what do you do when

you have an environment something in the

environment that triggers

people you have to change what those

triggers do to you one of those tools is

understanding the power of priming this

is something I do every single day so I

don't hope that I'm going to show up as

my best I

prime especially days when you're

exhausted or tired or hurting or

whatever the case may be it's even more

important but it's important every day

now priming is a psychological principle

it's not a new principle but most people

don't apply it most people who apply it

are advertisers and marketers and most

individuals don't apply it to themselves

priming is this idea that you think your

thoughts are your thoughts and they can

be but they rarely are they're usually

primed by something going on in the

environment and if you learn to Prime

yourself you won't be at the mercy of

other people who may not have your best

interest in mind or may not even know

what they're doing they're just priming

it and so what does it look like one

study that grabbed me one of the

earliest studies I read was at Harvard

and they took a group of people they

took two actors a man and a woman and

had them go rehearse doing an exact

presentation over and over again they

went to a mall and they went to a park

and what they would do is they would

walk up to you at the mall of the park

and they had a coffee in their hand and

they'd say excuse me could you hold this

just for a second and they wouldn't ask

they handed to and looked down so you

didn't have a chance to say yes or no

and they'd reach in grab their phone do

something on their phone put it back and

say thank you so much and they take it

back and they practice having the same

facial expression saying with the same

tone of voice and he used a man and a

woman and they went to 150 people the

man and woman One Way 150 another way

they did everything ex identical except

one thing half the people they handed

them ice coffee the other half they gave

them hot coffee just for a few seconds

now interestingly enough 20 minutes

later somebody with a clipboard would

come by back through the mall and they'd

see you and theyd come up to you and say

listen I'd like to ask you to read two

paragraphs and answer one question and

I'll give you $20 for it for our survey

you read the two paragraphs of this

little story and then the question was

how would you describe the main

character in this story and what's

interesting is over 81% of the people

who were given hot coffee said the

person was warm and genuine in the story

they were reading 20 minutes later the

ones were giving ice coffee 80% only a

1% difference variable natural

variability 80% said the person was cold

and calculating and

uncaring exact same story 20 to 30

minutes later that's how powerful

priming is in certain restaurants they

use music to get you to eat faster and

get out when it's busy they have tracks

that do that so if you go to various

restaurants especially big chain

restaurants that have a lot of money

they've made it a science they know when

they're getting really packed they put

certain music in that primes you to eat

more rle get out and it works there are

places where you go buy wines and

they'll play certain music they'll play

Italian music and 70% of people will buy

an Italian wine these are unconscious

tools of influence so there's no

question priming is real the question is

are you being primed or are you doing

the priming and in most cases you're

being primed but I want you to actively

take control and Prime yourself when you

do it it really really transforms you

but if you don't do it you're just

pretty much stuck with anything else so

priming is happening all the time think

of priming is like training we're

training our brains we're training our

minds and our emotions we're training

each other by the way we treat each

other and we're always doing the

training my youngest son his name is

Josh he couldn't walk down to the edge

of the driveway and get on the bus to go

to school he was so fearful and then one

day he came home and he had a whole

different continence about him he was

really playful and then I met his friend

he met a dear friend who was two doors

down they're still best friends today 30

years later 35 years later and and um

and this kid you ever been with somebody

have you ever been around somebody who's

not really funny but they think they

are and they crack thems up and they're

not funny but the way they crack

themselves up you find yourself laughing

too who knows what I'm talking about

that's what this kid is he wasn't funny

at all he just thought he was the

funniest thing in the world and he

laughed so hard you find yourself

laughing so he made me laugh my off Josh

was laughing his off and after he left I

said Josh I said you really like this

kid he goes yeah I said I said make him

your friend for life he said why Dad I

said because he has wired himself to

find joy and humor in almost anything

and if you spend time with him enough

you'll develop the same pattern he'll

Prime you to be in a playful state right

it all came from priming your best

friends Prime you and you prime your

best friends right I can remember one

time my daughter was uh I think she was

just turning 16 and she fell in love

with his kid he played football he was

in college and my daughter one night he

showed up like 45 minutes late I mean

she was so angry and so pissed off and

thrashed him verbally I heard it from

two three rooms down I didn't say

anything the first time and then the

couple days later a similar thing

happened instead of saying hey I miss

you I love you I know you must have been

engaged she was playing football the

practice went long instead of doing that

you're teaching him that you equal pain

you are training him you are priming him

instead of priming him to feel love from

you like when you do see him you're

sharing your love for him or your

appreciation for him or your gratitude

for him I said the fact he's not here

you can find out why but he's not trying

to harm you part of understanding that

we have tremendous power to influence

each other and if you do something

consistently you will Prime people but

the place you want to start is priming

yourself so we can prime ourselves so

the very thing that used to irritate you

that person that situation makes you

feel great or you lose confidence you go

to speak and you're freaked out you can

prime yourself so that speaking makes

you feel strong you can prime yourself

for anything

you do not have to wait and wonder or

hope or react to your old conditioning

you want to keep doing that so it gets

so wired it becomes your natural state

it just means that gear is available to

you anytime you want it it's on the edge

whereas to most people especially right

now in this country uncertainty not just

this country around the world is the

dominant emotion and uncertainty leads

to fear right and fear that is

continuous leads to sadness depression

overwhelm and all the other things when

you see a great athlete you see a great

leader you see great anybody parent they

have a certainty inside them the

certainty does not come from the outside

world it comes from within and I want

you to experience that I don't only just

experience it I want you to leave with

it in your nervous system so we're going

to Prime the most important emotion of

all if you prime yourself like this do

you think it would shape the way you

would interact with your world yes or

no it happens you're in this state you

handle a problem very differently right

so priming is something you want to do

minimum the next 10 days ideally at

least 21 and then some of you may decide

to commit to it 5 days a week or 7 days

a week regularly if you make it the

first thing you do in the morning it's

only 10 minutes if you prime yourself

it'll be different it doesn't mean you

won't have problems or challenges just

mean you'll have more of you ready to

deal with it so you start your day in a

beautiful state right and you build it

up I in the beginning I did it in the

morning and I did afternoon or evening I

did both and then now it's pretty well

so wired in me I can do it very quickly

and easily I do it just in the morning

itself and most cases but if something

was really crazy or stressful I might

take 10 minutes in the afternoon or

evening do it and then go deal with a

situation from this state very different

right let's see we can't control the

outside world we can influence it we

have absolute control of the inside

world

[Music]