The Goldilocks Golden Rule

Getting to “Just Right” in Life

A lot of people talk about the importance of “finding balance” in life but did you know that “balance” often begins in your brain?

According to recent neuroscience research, the need for balance is particularly acute in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).

The PFC makes up about 10% of the volume of the brain. But just because it’s small, doesn’t mean it’s not important.

In fact, the PFC, or the so-called “executive part of the brain'' is extremely instrumental to our everyday performance. It is responsible for functions like empathy,  decision-making, planning, predicting as well as suppressing socially unacceptable behaviors or distracting thoughts.

Amy Arnsten, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at Yale, has devoted her life’s work to the extensive study of the prefrontal cortex and its neurochemistry.

She has discovered that two neurotransmitters are very important for the optimal functioning of the PFC: dopamine (the reward neurotransmitter) and norepinephrine (a brain chemical released in response to stress).

Dr. Arnsten has nicknamed the prefrontal cortex “the Goldilocks of the brain” because to operate in top form, the PFC needs these two chemicals in “just the right” balance. Not too much. Not too little. (Just like the Goldilocks who didn’t like her porridge “too hot” or “too cold” but “just right.”)

If the level of these neurotransmitters fluctuates too much because of fatigue or stress, brain functions (and individual performance) decline. 

When you seek to create abundance in life, you need to make sure that you stay in the “just the right” zone.

Let’s imagine you are looking to add more clients to your business.

Too few clients will bore you.

Too many clients will overwhelm you.

On either side of this continuum, your PFC will be impaired and will have a negative effect on your performance.

You will lose direction, clarity, memory capabilities and empathy.

Make sure you are in “just the right” place where you are stimulated (without getting overwhelmed) while at the same time you don’t do too much (without getting bored).

Find your sweet spot. 

This is the place where you can successfully move towards the life you desire.

Be true to the Goldilocks Golden Rule.

Always make sure you ask the questions: “What’s too little?” “What’s too much?” and “What’s just right for me?”

True abundance is waiting on the other side.

I have helped dozens of students find the “just the right” balance in their lives.

If you would like to do the same, let’s talk.