Your Brain is a Heat-Seeking Missile — Here’s How to Hack it

There’s a well-known story about a bit Tony Robbins does at some of his seminars. He tells everyone to look around the room and find as many red things as they can. You start noticing red everywhere: the fire alarm, the exit sign, someone’s sweater — you’re locked into red like a heat-seeking missile.

And then Tony throws in the twist grenade. “Now close your eyes and tell me something blue you saw.”

Awkward silence followed by nervous laughter. Nobody remembers a single blue thing, You’re hyper focused on red. Of course, there were some blue things. They existed, you just didn’t see them.

That’s how our brain works. We think we’re seeing everything, but really we just see what we’re told to look for.

The Reticular Activating System: Your Brain’s Bouncer

Enter the Reticular Activating System (RAS). I first learned of this from Scott Adams of Dilbert. Say you’re at a party and it’s humming with noise. Through the din, you hear your name. You key in on it somehow. That’s RAS.

You could think of RAS as a bouncer for your brain. There’s too much going on for your brain to process it all, so the RAS decides what gets past the velvet rope, and what gets kicked to the curb.

The best part? You get to tell your RAS what matters. If you tell it, “Hey, look for red,” it starts letting red stuff through the filter. Everything else? Background noise. You can test this yourself. The moment you decide to buy a particular car, suddenly you start seeing that car everywhere. No, the car you want didn’t magically ramp up production overnight. Your brain just started noticing what was always there.

Your brain is programmable. Scott calls it a “moist robot”. You tell it what to look for, and it locks on. But if you’re not careful, it’ll lock onto the wrong thing. Think negativity, distractions, or–worse yet–somebody else’s agenda; that’s what you’re going to get more of.

Programming Your Brain: The RAS Hack

How do you take advantage of this brain hack? Simple. Get your RAS to focus on things that will actually move the needle for you.

• Set Clear Objectives

If you don’t give your brain something to focus on, it will lock onto whatever shiny object catches your eye that day. You have to really know what you want. Tell your brain what matters — be it scaling your business, getting healthier, or finally writing that damn book — your RAS will start filtering for opportunities and people who align with those objectives.

• Visualize Success

I know. I know. “Visualization” is cringe, but there’s science here. When you visualize — actually see yourself crushing that sales pitch or landing the dream client — you’re rewiring your RAS. You’re telling it, “This is important.” Your brain will start noticing things that can help make your vision a reality.

• Consistency is Key

The RAS needs some time to lock in a target. If you’re constantly changing your focus — today it’s a side hustle, tomorrow it’s setting up a YouTube channel — your brain doesn’t know what exactly to prioritize. Pick something. Make sure you stick with it long enough for your RAS to start doing its job.

• Avoid the Negative Feedback Loop

Be careful. Things could get dangerous. If you’re always focused on problems, your RAS will find more problems. It’ll start filtering out solutions and only showing you obstacles. Program your RAS to spot solutions, opportunities, and people who can help. It’s not about ignoring reality; it’s about directing your brain toward things that can make an impact.

Your Focus is Your Future

Your brain is like a heat-seeking missile. Whatever you program into it, your RAS will go after. For better or worse. And while most people coast through life without ever realizing they’re in control, you now know better. Stop letting your brain chase distractions, negativity, or someone else’s agenda. Focus on what matters, and let your RAS do the rest. You might just be amazed at what you start seeing.