Master Your Mind

Why Do Humans Do the Things They Do?

Why would one person sacrifice their life for a stranger, while another kills for sheer pleasure? What makes one person a hero and another a villain?

Humans are fascinating contradictions.

We like to think of ourselves as unique, complex beings—yet, at our core, we all run on the same biological operating system.

Ultimately, it’s not our circumstances but our decisions that define our destiny. So, what shapes those decisions?

The Decision-Making Blueprint: What Drives Us?

1. Physiology – Your physical state influences everything. How you breathe, your posture, your energy levels—all of it shapes your emotions and decision-making in ways you may not even realize. Stand tall, breathe deeply, and move with intention, and you’ll start making choices from a place of power rather than fear.

2. Focus – Whatever you focus on, you feel. Two people in the same situation can have vastly different experiences depending on what they choose to fixate on. Are you focusing on what’s possible or what’s missing? On gratitude or lack? Your focus determines your reality.

3. Language & Meaning – The words you attach to an experience shape its meaning. Call a challenge an “opportunity,” and you’ll respond differently than if you call it a “nightmare.” Words aren’t just descriptions; they’re reality-shapers.

4. Authority & Social Influence – Whether we like it or not, we’re tribal creatures. We instinctively respond to social cues, approval, and authority figures. Your environment plays a huge role in shaping your behavior—sometimes more than you even realize.

How to Influence and Understand Others

Before you can guide or influence someone, ask yourself:

1. What do they truly need and want?

2. What’s stopping them from getting it?

3. What state are they in emotionally and physically?

4. What beliefs or patterns are shaping their decisions?

5. How can I guide them toward what they want?

People act for their own reasons, not yours. The key to influence isn’t manipulation—it’s understanding what already drives them and aligning your message with their internal world.

Unlocking a Person’s Model of the World

To truly influence someone, you must understand the lens through which they see life:

• Their environment – What rewards or punishments exist in their world?

• Their belief system – What rules do they live by?

• Their emotional triggers – What sets them off or pulls them in?

• Their core needs – What do they crave the most?

When you grasp these elements, you don’t just understand people—you anticipate them. And that’s a superpower.

Understanding & Appreciating Their World

If you want to influence someone, you first need to understand what influences them. People don’t act randomly—they are shaped by their environment, their beliefs, and their core needs. The better you understand their world, the better you can guide them.

The 7 Categories of Belief

1. Global Belief Systems

Massive generalizations shape our lives. They define how we see the world, people, and ourselves.

Ask:

• What is the purpose of life and death?

• What are the biggest problems in life?

• What creates pain, and what brings rewards?

• What resources do they believe are available (or lacking)?

• How do they perceive time? Is it abundant or scarce? Do they live in the past, present, or future?

• How do they view money, love, emotions, and success?

2. Identity

Identity is the most powerful force in human psychology. It’s how we define ourselves—and our behaviors will always align with our self-perception.

Ask:

• Who are you?

• Who are you not?

• Who are your role models? What do you admire about them?

• What is your life story? What have you overcome?

• How can you expand your identity to become even more?

3. Values

Values dictate what we move toward (pleasure) and what we move away from (pain). Understand their values, and you’ll understand what drives them.

4. Rules: The Source of Heaven & Hell

Rules determine how we believe we must behave in order to experience our values. Some rules create freedom, while others create suffering.

People operate with rigid internal rules:

• Musts: “I must always succeed”

• Shoulds: “People should treat me with respect”

• Cannots: “I cannot fail”

• Have tos: “I have to be perfect”

5. Vehicles: How We Meet Our Needs

Vehicles are the methods people use to meet their needs. They can be positive, negative, or neutral—but all serve a purpose.

Ask:

• How do you currently meet your needs? (e.g., money, career, relationships, religion, problems, suffering, food, addiction, success)

• Are these methods serving you, or are they hurting you?

• What alternative vehicles can provide the same need without negative consequences?

6. Metaprograms: How People Process Information

Every person has mental filters that determine how they see the world. Some people focus on possibilities, while others focus on problems. Some seek certainty, while others thrive on variety.

Understanding their metaprograms allows you to speak in their language.

The Science of Influence: How People Are Shaped

Every human behavior is influenced by three key forces:

1. Electricity (Attention Control) – Directing a person’s focus to think a certain way.

2. Chemicals (Emotion Regulation) – Triggering emotional states that drive action.

3. Genetics (Compliance Traits) – Leveraging innate traits that make someone more open, obedient, or resistant.

The Chemistry of Influence: Brain Chemicals at Play

• Dopamine (Pleasure & Motivation) – High dopamine makes people eager, open, and reward-seeking.

  • Trigger: Praise, surprises, excitement, or social validation.

• Cortisol (Fear & Stress) – High cortisol makes people more risk-averse and obedient.

  • Trigger: Fear-based messaging, deadlines, or social pressure.

• Oxytocin (Trust & Bonding) – High oxytocin creates emotional bonds and deep trust.

  • Trigger: Eye contact, touch, shared experiences, and vulnerability.

When you control someone’s chemical state, you influence their behavior—sometimes without them even realizing it.

How to Reduce Your Own Susceptibility to Influence

If you know you’re naturally prone to compliance, approval-seeking, or avoiding conflict, take back control with these tactics:

1. Interrupt impulse decisions. If you get excited about something, impose a 24-hour waiting period before acting. This prevents dopamine-driven choices that might not be in your best interest.

1. Question everything. If you tend to agree with others too easily, start asking, “Is this what I truly want, or am I just avoiding confrontation?”

2. Detach from emotional highs. Before making a big decision in love, business, or life, ask yourself:

   • “If I had no emotional attachment, what would I decide?”

   • “Would an outsider think this is logical?”