Human beings are wired for survival, not success. We’re wired to seek safety and security. That’s why people often don’t act in their best interests, to do better, or be successful.

Our lizard brain has evolved to alert us to, and help us avoid any potential for imminent hurt or demise.

That’s why we slow down to watch car accidents; why we’re drawn to bad news.

More interestingly, it explains why, despite seeing what successful people do, despite knowing better, we don’t do better.

We keep on trucking’ on.

We’re good.

Thank you very much.

Unfortunately, there’s no evolutionary equivalent to our lizard brain.

We don’t have a success brain on the lookout for opportunity, for what we could do to prosper, and flourish.

Some people do of course, but we note the rarity of these individuals by remarking on their ambition.

It’s unusual.

For most, having a good job, meeting our expenses, and having enough for one nice vacation are enough.

So what explains the rarity of the really ambitious—those high-flying trapeze artists in the center ring of success?

Maybe it comes down to the luck of circumstance.

Some of us are lucky enough to be born into or placed into families who teach us to value success, and its enabling virtues like learning, hard work and perseverance.

But still.

Most aren’t wired for starship success.

Mort of us get to a certain height, assess further altitude as risky, and plateau.

Not because we lack ability, but because something tells us it’s unsafe to go further. Whether that voice in our head is genetic or learned doesn’t really matter.

The end result is we opt for safety and security.

Not opportunity.

Nothing wrong with that.

Just something to notice.

But if it is even partly genetic, what a great excuse for settling and hiding.

You could stop beating yourself up for not succeeding.

You could tell all the people who believe in you that it’s genetic.

And go social media or TV in peace.

You’re welcome.

Human beings are wired for survival, not success.

Human beings are wired for survival, not success. We’re wired to seek safety and security.

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