Do you ever feel like somehow you don't have 'enough'? Or that you aren't 'enough'? Despite having a lot and having accomplished a lot? This is a common experience. So, what's going on?

We live in a world of 'more'. Almost every where you look you see it. Progress, faster Internet speeds, more streaming TV options, more megapixels, more up to date on what is happening. More productive, smarter, fitter, sexier, happier, richer... on and on it goes...more, more more! There is this background hum of needing more, or needing to do more or be more.

A lot of what you are feeling is simply your biology doing what it was designed to do - but in an era long ago. Our 'survival' brain grew out of a time where there often wasn't enough, where there was uncertainty around safety, security, warmth, food, water and even belonging. During that time in our pre-history, we didn't have a lot and we were always on the look out for 'more'. More meant survival.

From the neuroscience side of things, 'more' strongly links to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine was key to our ancestors' survival: it drove motivation and kept them in the hunt, it kept them alert and paying attention to change in their environment, it aided in forming memory and it accelerated learning. All of which helped our ancestors play the only game going: find some more and live to see another sunrise.

But in our modern world, dopamine can be easily hijacked by clever marketing and technology design, distracting us from the riches we have today and turning us into the 'hungry ghost', constantly eating, yet never full. Restless. Uneasy. Always hungry. There is a sense that if I just get a little 'more' ______ (fill in the blank), then I'll have enough.

When our focus is on 'not enough' it puts us into a reactive mode and in what Rick Hanson, Ph.D describes as our brain in the Red Zone (the stress response). The Red Zone is a brain primed for survival, but it isn't an easy way to live.

Hanson contrasts this with a brain that is in the Green Zone. One that is calm, clear and confident. One that feels it has all the resources it needs to deal with whatever challenges show up. A brain that feels it can confidently respond, rather than react. One that feels it has 'enough' and that it can rest from constantly pursuing more. One that can relax, process information more deeply, connect dots, build social connections and be creative in its response to the challenges it face.

So, how do you routinely nudge your brain back to the Green Zone? It takes intention and practice, since this is going against the grain of our default mode ‘survival’ brain. Here are a few tips to help you:

1. Regularly reflect on the outer resources you have that give you so much stability in your life (your personal relationships, stable employment, law and order, democracy, Human Rights, clean water, etc.). Your reactive brain forgets these quickly - but our world is still far more stable, safe and secure than we often realize. Even in COVID times for most of us.

2. Regularly reflect on the inner resources you have (your strengths, your experience, your character, your determination, your creativity, etc.). You actually have what you need to face your challenges - you are proving that to yourself everyday. In so many ways, you already are 'enough'.

3. See past the marketing machine aimed to make you think you need 'more' stuff or experiences. It is designed to make you feel you don't have enough or that you will be happy when... See past this and appreciate that you already have more than enough without these things.

4. See past the empty promise of ever finding 'enough' on your phone, the Internet, social media, etc. It is bottomless, tapping into your dopamine circuitry and designed to keep you in the hunt, always looking for a little more. Shift your focus to experiences that leave you feeling content.

5. Practice gratitude. Re-appreciate the many material things and luxuries you already have. Same goes for many of the simple yet fleeting moments in your day. In so many ways, we already have more than enough.

If you do the above, you will realize you are far better off than you might think. Hopefully, your brain can more fully relax, slip into the calm and clarity of the Green Zone, enjoy the life you have and confidently solve problems as they come up. Goals, progress and 'more' are still good. But strive for them from a place of already having so much.

What would life be like for you if you had a greater sense of ease and having 'enough' in your world? Same goes for the people on your team. I guarantee you would have more clarity, more focus, greater productivity (relative to what matters most) and more joy at the end of the day. Let's find time to connect as I'd love to hear how you are doing, what you are learning, and what you want more of in life.