The Motivational Triad

Why your brain resists change (even when you want it)

By Adri Geyer

“Your brain isn’t broken.

It’s just doing its job - keeping you safe, comfortable and energy-efficient.

But comfort doesn’t create growth.”

Let me tell you something I see all the time in coaching:

People come to me thinking they have:

• a time problem,
• a money problem
• or an exhaustion problem.

But once we start coaching it becomes clear:

The real problem is the brain - more specifically, a brain that’s running survival software. 

Your primitive brain operates by three ancient rules: 

1. Avoid pain.
2. Seek pleasure.
3. Conserve energy.

That’s what we call the Motivational Triad, - your primitive survival code that kept our ancestors alive but keeps modern professionals stuck. 

It’s the real reason you:

• procrastinate,
• overthink,
• overwork or
• people-please
• buffer with scrolling, snacking or numbing 
• feel overwhelmed even when nothing is "wrong"

It’s also why real growth feels so uncomfortable… because to your brain, discomfort = danger.

But here’s the truth: your brain isn’t the enemy.

And you are not weak and undisciplined. 

Your brain is just doing what is was designed to do. 

The good news?

We can absolutely retrain it.

This is where coaching changes EVERYTHING. 

The three drivers of the primitive brain

1. Avoid Pain

Your brain’s top priority is to keep you alive, not necessarily fulfilled.

It sees anything unfamiliar as a penitential treat. 

It’s constantly scanning for problems or anything that might cause emotional or physical pain.

Which means it will resist anything that feels new, uncertain or hard, even the things that would change your life for the better.

• Starting your own business? Pain.
• Raising your prices? Pain.
• Saying no to a client? Definitely pain.
• Setting  boundaries? Danger. 
• Trying something new. Danger. 
• Resting. Danger.
• Delegating. Danger. 

Your primitive brain doesn’t know the difference between emotional discomfort and actual danger.

It just says:

“Don’t do that. It's risky”

This is why growth feels so uncomfortable.
Your brain is trying to protect you from the very thing that would change your life.

But if you learn to lean into discomfort instead of running from it,
you unlock the door to the future version of yourself.

2.Seek Pleasure

Your brain loves a dopamine hit.

The instant gratification that feels good. 

Fast and right now.

That’s why it’s is drawn towards

• scrolling
• snacking
• binge-watching
• busywork
• say yes when you really want to say no.
• avoiding the hard thing

It feels good right now...

...and then it leaves you feeling terrible, guilty, tired or stuck later. 

Short-term pleasure often leads to long-term pain.

Long-term fulfillment requires learning how to delay gratification. 

Not as punishment.

As power. 

3. Conserve Energy

And then there’s energy.

Your brain is wired to save energy.

Because, way back when, that meant survival (energy to run from the lion, energy to find food and shelter). 

But in today’s world, that same instinct looks like procrastination, hesitation and avoidance.

Your primitive brain is constantly whispering: 

“Let’s do it later.”

“Let’s think about it more.”

“Let’s wait until I feel ready or motivated.”

"We're to tired" 

"Now is not a good time" 

This isn't laziness.

It's neural efficiency.

Your brain loves:

• Old patterns and
• old habits
• old emotional reactions
• old behaviours

...because they require less energy.

But progress requires intentional energy expenditure.

When you override this instinct, your life expands.

When you obey it, your life shrinks. 

The Real Conflict: Your Two Brains

Here’s the part most people never realise:

You actually have two brains running your life.

• The Primitive Brain —
  • emotional 
  • reactive 
  • short-term focused 
  • driven by fear, urges and comfort
  • Focused on survival,
  • Wants instant relief
• The Prefrontal Cortex —
  • Logical 
  • planning-orientated 
  • future focused
  • Delayed gratification
  • long-term purpose.

Your primitive brain wants safety.

Your prefrontal brain wants meaning.

The only difference between staying stuck and creating the life you want is learning which brain to let lead.

This is the work of coaching.

Coaching = Moving From Survival to Creation

When you coach your mind, you’re literally rewiring your brain.

Catch your primitive brain thoughts BEFORE they hijack your day:

“This is too hard.” 

“I’ll do it later.” 

“What if I fail?” 

Reframe them through your prefrontal cortex:

→ “Hard doesn’t mean wrong.”

→ “My future self will thank me for doing it now.”

→ “Failing forward is how I evolve.”

Build new neuropathways on purpose: 

This is neuroplasticity in action, your brain’s ability to change through repetition and awareness.

Over time, you stop:

• reacting from fear

• operating from exhaustion

• choosing comfort over progress

…and start:

• responding with intention

• making decisions ahead of time

• honouring your plans

• building emotional capacity

• leading your life on purpose

This is the real transformation.

Why This Matters

When you misunderstand your brain, you make it personal:

“I’m lazy.”

“I’m unmotivated.”

“I’m inconsistent.”

"I'm not disciplined.' 

"I'm tired all the time." 

"I Lack motivation."

But none of that is true. 

It’s not a character flaw. You're simply untrained. 

It’s just your brain running on its old operating system.

Once you learn how your brain works, you stop fighting it and start mastering it. 

Inside Bring Balance To Life, You'll Learn How to: 

(from the Feel Better & Capacity Pillars)

✔ Recognise primitive brain patterns that drain your focus and energy
✔ Activate your prefrontal cortex to plan, decide and lead
✔ Process discomfort so it stops derailing you
✔ Build emotional resilience (capacity ×3)
✔ Break habitual avoidance, numbing and procrastination
✔ Think intentionally, not reactively
✔ Move from survival mode → creation mode

This is the work that helps you:
👉 Work Less (stop reactive busyness)
👉 Earn More (stop fear-driven undercharging)
👉 Feel Better (stop emotional exhaustion)

This is how you learn to use your brain on purpose —
instead of being run by its primitive code.

What is next 

If you're tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed or frustrated with yourself, it’s not because you lack discipline or motivation.

It’s because your brain has been running the show.

And once you learn how to manage it, everything becomes possible.

Join Bring Balance to Life (Click HERE),

The 12-month neuroscience-based coaching program that teaches you how to work with your brain instead of against it so you can work less, earn more and feel better — without burning out.

Or start with a low-pressure step: 

Book your consultation today 

And let's map out exactly what's happening in your brain and what you can do - starting today - to create real, lasting change. 

Because once you learn how to use your mind on purpose, your entire life changes.