Instincts are not random urges or mysterious gut feelings. They are deeply rooted, hardwired responses shaped by millions of years of evolution. Without instincts, our ancestors would never have survived the dangers of prehistoric life. Today, even in our highly structured world, instincts remain crucial to decision-making, resilience, and personal growth. They operate as a primal intelligence, often working faster and more accurately than conscious thought.
The Evolutionary Roots of Instincts
Evolutionary psychology offers insights into why instincts are so powerful. Early humans faced constant threats from predators, harsh climates, and rival groups. Those with sharper instincts regarding danger, food sources, shelter, and social alliances were more likely to survive and pass on their genes (Pinker, 1997). Instincts, therefore, became part of our biological inheritance—an internal guide tailored for survival.
Modern science supports the idea that instincts operate below the surface of rational thought. Neurobiologist Antonio Damasio (1994) demonstrated how emotional signals from our bodies often steer our decisions more effectively than slow, deliberate reasoning. These “somatic markers” emerge from our evolutionary history and help us evaluate complex situations rapidly. This explains why the phrase “trust your instincts” has endured. Instincts often know what the conscious mind takes too long to figure out.
The Seven Instincts That Make Us Human
In our book Tenacity (Goldstein & Brooks, 2021), we argue that instincts do more than help us survive—they define our humanity. We identify seven core instincts that form the foundation of human character and success: Intuitive Optimism, Intrinsic Motivation, Compassionate Empathy, Simultaneous Intelligence, Genuine Altruism, Virtuous Responsibility, and Measured Fairness. These instincts aren’t just luxury traits; they are survival tools that evolved because they provided real advantages to early humans.
Intuitive optimism drove early humans to persist despite hardships, believing that survival was possible. Intrinsic motivation fueled the relentless pursuit of shelter, food, and safety without external rewards. Compassionate empathy bonds communities together, enhancing cooperation and mutual protection. Simultaneous intelligence enabled early humans to process multiple threats and opportunities simultaneously, which is crucial for survival. Genuine altruism fostered deep social networks, ensuring communal care for the vulnerable. Virtuous responsibility promoted accountability within groups, maintaining order and trust. Measured fairness ensured equitable resource distribution, reducing conflict and strengthening group cohesion.
Each of these instincts developed because it addressed specific problems faced by our ancestors. They remain ingrained in us, influencing our behavior even when we are unaware of it. Ignoring these instincts can lead to disconnection, poor decision-making, and even failure to thrive personally and professionally.
Trusting Instincts in a Rational World
Today, much of modern culture tries to suppress instincts in favor of over-intellectualization. We are often taught to “think through” every situation exhaustively. While rational analysis has its place, it can paralyze action when overused. Instincts provide a counterbalance, allowing us to act decisively and authentically. Business leaders, athletes, and artists often rely on “gut feelings” to make high-stakes decisions. These aren’t random impulses but distilled wisdom from an ancient brain trained over millennia (Goleman, 1995).
Learning to trust your instincts is not about being reckless. It’s about recognizing that you possess a deep-seated intelligence shaped by countless generations. It’s about respecting that, in many cases, your instincts pick up patterns and dangers faster than your conscious mind can process. Ignoring instincts can lead to hesitation, poor judgment, and missed opportunities.
This is especially critical in high-pressure environments where time is limited and the margin for error is slim. First responders, soldiers, and even seasoned executives often describe moments when instinct took over, guiding them to make the right call almost automatically. They weren’t operating unthinkingly; they were tapping into a rich, ancient source of knowledge.
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However, instincts are not infallible. Evolution shaped them for environments that are very different from today’s world. Therefore, refining instincts through experience, reflection, and feedback is essential. In Tenacity, we emphasize that while instincts give us an edge, sharpening them through self-awareness and critical thinking makes them truly powerful.
Instincts matter because they connect us to nature’s raw, enduring truths. They remind us that beneath the complexity of modern life lies a simple, elegant intelligence built for resilience and growth. Trusting your instincts is not a step backward into primitive thinking but a forward leap into a deeper, more integrated way of living.
