We don’t control when stress shows up.
We only control what we do next.
We only control what we do next.
That’s why reactions happen faster than reasoning In brain science terms, when you’re triggered, your limbic system takes over. This is the part of the brain responsible for emotional responses—especially fear, stress, and reactivity.
The brain’s limbic system releases stress chemicals designed for survival—not clarity.
But you can interrupt that pattern.
The BRAIN Model is a 30-second tool (which I learned from my great friend Dr Bill Crawford, PhD.) designed to do exactly that.
Here are the five steps:
- BREATHE – – Box breathing interrupts the stress response (inhale, hold, exhale, hold – 4 counts each)
- RESET – With a second breath, your brain is now listening for direction
- ASK – Three questions:
- Did I choose this feeling?
- What do I choose now?
- What would I tell someone I care about in this moment?
- IMAGINE – Picture yourself in calm. Smile. That triggers dopamine.
- NOTICE – You’ve changed your chemistry.
This isn’t about denying emotion. It’s about creating a space to understand it.
That space is what I call a moment of power.
That space is what I call a moment of power.
That space is what allows us to separate Facts from Feelings, and then create Framing that aligns with our values and goals.
In recent coaching, I used this same process—supported by the YESCRAFTER™ AI model—to help a sales professional reframe a challenging customer situation. We didn’t script an answer. We slowed things down, clarified reality, and created framing that felt true and confident.
This is what Starting Different looks like.
Not erasing emotion—but leading through it.
You are not starting over.
You are starting different—one moment at a time.
You are starting different—one moment at a time.
At this point, I have curated 26 YESENTIALS® explainer videos. This is the only one I make publicly available each year outside of his client base, because I believe it delivers outsized value for everyone.Enjoy—and I hope it helps reduce stress and increase clarity.
For anyone who wants to go deeper on this topic, Dean recommends Dr. Bill Crawford’s book, Life from the Top of the Mind. It will change your life. It certainly changed mine for the better.
