5 Signs You have a Resilient Brain Type

Understanding, Thriving, and Excelling in Your Natural Resilience

Dr. John🎭🧿🩺
5 min readJun 19, 2024
Image edited by the author in Canva

Please respect my 30 second rule, and if you decide to come back tomorrow, it will be my honor.

Before Oprah joined the TV industry, it was notoriously hard to break into, especially if you didn’t know anyone and were from an underrepresented group.

Oprah’s unique ability allowed her to connect with people on a different level, creating trust and a safe space for people to share their deepest secrets.

In 2013, world-renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong came out about his use of illegal doping on The Oprah Show after denying it for years, leading to him being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

“Were you a bully?”

“Uh, yeah, yeah, I was a bully.”

The Oprah Effect

It’s clear that when Oprah spoke, people listened, a phenomenon known as the Oprah effect. Oprah defied all odds, not by chance, but because of several unique traits common in the resilient brain type that allowed her to win people over. We call them Kumas. If you belong to this group, chances are you have resilient traits.

Understanding Akuma (Kumas)

Kumas are water types. Their prefrontal circuits are wired for steady responses. When Kumas commit to something, they are incredibly reliable and persistent.

Their limbic systems, which regulate emotions, are wired to be less responsive to stimulation, making Kumas patient, calm, and easygoing. This neurobiology translates into what’s arguably their most powerful trait: Kumas are motivated by stability.

When a Kuma feels stable, they commit fully and deeply to their work. They approach things methodically by asking for guidance from trusted sources and considering every angle to make informed decisions. If something is meaningful, it can capture a Kuma’s attention for weeks at a time.

Neurobiology of Akuma

However, with reliable stability comes a challenge: getting the ball rolling. Kumas’ motivation is resilient, but in a fast-moving world, they can sometimes struggle to keep up.

They tend to stick with what’s familiar and often don’t push outside their comfort zone, which can make them seem lazy. But Kumas who understand this can create an ideal work environment to produce quality work that exceeds expectations.

Just because a Kuma is thorough doesn’t mean they’re more productive if they don’t complete their work on time. This is why Kumas thrive in predictable environments with routine and stability.

They do incredibly well when they can focus deeply on fewer things at a time, knowing that the rest of their life is in order. For instance, pick one skill and one habit that contribute to a long-term project and create a daily routine that builds momentum towards that goal over time.

Also, consider designing a calm and organized workspace that inspires consistency. In this way, Kumas can be very productive when they follow their natural rhythm, but they should set clear deadlines for high-priority work and track their progress to ensure completion.

You can more effectively use that resilience when working towards a meaningful goal. And don’t forget to eat, as Kumas can often go all day without a proper meal.

Productivity and Akuma

Motivation and productivity are one thing, but something that makes a Kuma truly stand out is how well they play with others. Kumas are connectors — they’re empathetic, supportive, and nurturing, and that energy uplifts everyone around them.

They bring a sense of comfort and reassurance. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or awkward on a team project, having a Kuma in the mix can chill out the vibe, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard.

Social Dynamics of Akuma

But being too laid-back can lead to complacency, especially in stressful situations. Kumas are very go-with-the-flow, but without clear boundaries, they often end up doing too much for others, which can lead to feeling undervalued or burning out.

When they feel like they’re falling behind, Kumas can become prone to feelings of worthlessness and depression. In these situations, it’s important to practice gratitude, appreciate your efforts, and set clear boundaries when working with others to stay aligned.

Challenges Faced by Akuma

So now that we understand all this, let’s look at how you can unlock your unfair advantage as a Kuma to find work you love and increase your earnings. When who you are aligns with what you’re good at, the money follows.

Kumas are deep learners. They learn slowly at first, but once they know something, they know it. This is especially true when mastering complex topics. They thrive on understanding nuance and being detail-oriented.

Unlocking Your Advantage as Akuma

This is why skills in research, organization, counseling, nurturing relationships, event planning, data analysis, and teaching pair exceptionally well with their brain type.

Kumas have a keen eye for details and going above and beyond. Combined with being highly emotionally intelligent and socially perceptive, their work becomes even more impactful. Kumas lead with compassion, empower everyone around them, and build strong relationships grounded in trust.

To match their energy, Kumas thrive in work that requires depth and human connection while also providing deadlines and clear objectives. They make great educators, project managers, coaches, researchers, and consultants, where they have the freedom to connect with others and learn all possible angles to solve problems.

So, what do you think?

Are you truly a Kuma?

Remember, we all have different types of energy inside us, and there will be times when your Kitsune or Tora energy comes out.

Use this as a guide for self-discovery. Now, what you plan to do with your brain type — that is a much more important question.

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