The Four Nervous System Responses and How They Show Up in Business

Your nervous system has four main responses to perceived threats: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Let’s explore how these responses manifest in your visibility journey—and how you can move through them.

1. The Fight Response

When your body is in fight mode, you might:

• Obsess over perfecting an Instagram post for hours.
• Overexplain your prices on a sales call.
• Become defensive about criticism or try to prove yourself.

What It’s Protecting You From:

The fear of being misunderstood or judged. By controlling every detail, you’re trying to ensure others see you in a certain light.

How to Work Through It:

• Grounding Practices: Press your feet into the floor and take deep breaths to slow down.
• Movement: Shake out your hands, dance, or push against a wall to release excess energy.
• Affirmations: Repeat, “It’s safe to be seen, even if I’m imperfect.” 

2. The Flight Response

Flight looks like avoidance and procrastination. You might:

• Delay posting until it feels “perfect.”
• Fill your time with busywork (like tinkering with your website) instead of taking visible actions.
• Consume endless courses or research without applying what you’ve learned.

What It’s Protecting You From:

The fear of failure or rejection. If you don’t act, you can’t mess up—simple as that.

How to Work Through It:

• Titration: Take small, manageable steps to expand your comfort zone. For example:

1. Record a private voice memo to get used to hearing your voice.

1. Progress to recording a video for yourself.
2. Share pre-recorded content with a safe group before going live publicly.

• Breathwork: Practice box breathing to calm your system.
• Affirmations: “It’s safe to take imperfect action. I don’t need to be perfect to make an impact.”

3. The Freeze Response

Freeze often feels like paralysis. You might:

• Stare at the “post” button but can’t press it.
• Go blank before a video or speaking engagement.
• Avoid responding to opportunities like podcast interviews or speaking gigs.

What It’s Protecting You From:

Overwhelm and the fear of stepping into a bigger version of yourself. It’s easier to stay in your comfort zone than risk growth.

How to Work Through It:

• Somatic Touch: Place a hand on the area of your body where you feel tension (e.g., chest or jaw). Apply gentle pressure and move in circular motions to release stuck energy.
• Movement and Voice: Sway, hum, or sing to activate your body and move energy.
• Small Actions: Identify one tiny step you can take, like opening the car door at a networking event or writing a single sentence for a post.

4. The Fawn Response

This sneaky response is all about people-pleasing. You might:

• Dilute your messaging to avoid offending anyone.
• Say yes to misaligned opportunities.
• Avoid controversial topics out of fear of criticism.

What It’s Protecting You From:

The fear of abandonment or conflict. By trying to please everyone, you avoid rejection.

How to Work Through It:

• Unfiltered Expression: Practice speaking or journaling your truth in a private space without worrying about how it sounds.
• Set Boundaries: Write down your non-negotiables and align your actions with them.
• Affirmations: “It’s safe for me to speak my truth, even if it doesn’t please everyone.”

Creating a Pre-Visibility Ritual

One of the most powerful ways to regulate your nervous system before showing up is by creating a pre-visibility ritual. Here’s how:

1. Ground Yourself

Press your feet into the floor, take deep breaths, or do a quick body scan to release tension.

2. Connect to Your Why

Remind yourself of your deeper purpose. Why is it important for you to share your message and gifts?

3. Incorporate Movement

Shake out nervous energy, sway, or take a short walk.

4. Use a Mantra

Repeat affirmations like:

• “It’s safe for me to be seen.”
• “My message matters.”
• “I can handle whatever comes my way.”

Post-Visibility Reset

After being visible, take time to celebrate and regulate:

• Shake Out Energy: Release residual nervousness with movement.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Write down what went well and acknowledge your courage.
• Reflect: Note any challenges and brainstorm ways to address them next time.

Your nervous system isn’t the enemy—it’s trying to protect you. With awareness, somatic tools, and a bit of self-compassion, you can create internal safety and show up with authenticity and ease.

This week, I challenge you to take one small visibility action. Whether it’s posting on social media, sharing a story, or recording a voice memo, let me know how it goes! DM me on Instagram or email me—I love hearing your experiences.

And if you want deeper support, check out my Pre-Visibility Ritual Worksheet  here, apply for the next round of Vibrant Visibility here, or join my free 4-Day Live Series on visibility and nervous system regulation inside my Free Facebook group. Sign up here. We’re diving deep into this work starting in March, and I’d love for you to join us.

Remember, love: the world needs your gifts. You deserve to be seen. 💛

XO 

Shawne