Dieting & Marketing – Are They Related? …and what is “Ape-Brain”

Do you know what an ape-brain is?

According to my humble definition, it is the dreaded primal section of our brain that occasionally bullies its way to the front of our intellectual mindset. It lingers deep within our heads until something or somebody stirs it all up. Once it takes over – watch out, because our intellectual thoughts are at the mercy of ape-brain.

When agitated, ape-brain is going to drive the bus. He’s going to take over. There’s very little logic associated with the decisions of ape-brain. It boils down to our basic, primal desires.

Ape-brain is not prejudice or predictable. He makes its decisions at the most basic and elementary level.

I’ve found that ape-brain causes the most damage in one major area of our lives. Two areas if you happen to be an entrepreneur or business owner.

Dieting and marketing. Yes, that’s right…dieting and marketing.

At first, you may not see the correlation, but there’s a deep kindred connection with ape-brain and these two issues.

Here’s my case…

How many times have you put yourself on a diet that lasts all of three days, only to have your will power crumble like a flimsy house of cards?

We’ve all been there.

Let’s look at the dieting situation first. Now and again we decide to lose a few pounds and place ourselves in a carefully planned, nutritionally balanced diet. Things are going well. We try hard to stick to the right foods…refraining from all the evil that could instantly unravel our carefully orchestrated plans. Then suddenly, without warning, logic and patience are out the window.

Enter ape-brain.

What ape-brain wants ape brain gets. Plain and simple.

Now, let’s talk about business for a minute. Have you ever started working on a marketing plan only to have ape-brain mess it all up? Out of nowhere, he makes an appearance and screws up everything.

What’s up with that? Sound familiar?

How many times have you had one of those “mind chats” about taking absolute ruthless control of your marketing? The conversation starts with a sincere plan to get control of your marketing. But, at the blink of an eye, everything is interrupted by that uninvited guest. Mr. Ape-brain makes another cameo appearance and wipes out your most sincere intentions.

Who is this guy (or gal)?

All business owners have had the mental conversation about the importance of good, consistent marketing, yet somehow we find ourselves weeks and months later looking back over our shoulder, frustrated about not sticking to our plan.

Why does this always happen? Why do the mental negotiations we have with ourselves always seemed to be squelched by our most primitive sector of our brain…ape-brain? Ole Neanderthal-brain
as I like to call him, always wants his way.

Why do our most primitive, persuasive thoughts always get in our own way?

The ape-brain wins again.

It’s not even a sign of strength, really. It’s just adult management of the ancient, murky, often self-destructive parts of our mind. The ape-brain wants, gimme, gimme, gimme. Ape-brain must have his way.

Ape-brain “not happy” when denied.

Most of the time our intellectual side falls prey to ape-brain. The part of our mind responsible for making good decisions always seems to give in.

I have a big question for you…

How do we get our ape-brain take a backseat and allow our entrepreneurial mind to take over and do what’s best for our business? How do we get our primate friend to lumber around somewhere else, maybe waiting until a more appropriate time to be called upon?

Leverage. Plain and simple. You’ve got to get leverage on yourself.

Dieting and marketing have many similarities. Both are necessary for obvious reasons. One gives our body’s health and nutrition, while the other is the lifeblood to our business. We need both to sustain a good quality of life.

It starts with putting ourselves in the right mind-set.

How do we lock-in to the right mental mindset and put ape-brain out to pasture?

Stay tuned…”And keep your foot on the gas”

The Copy Pimp