Brain chemistry is a real pain.
It works for us.
It works against us.
And, like mad scientists, businesses pay big money to intentionally make it work against us.
Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter that is responsible for how we feel pleasure.
Our ancient, primitive selves needed this to survive. But, the world has changed a lot since then. Our brains, not so much.
You know how it’s hard to resist fatty, sugary snacks? Those produce dopamine, and we want more of it.
You know how it’s hard to summon the will to practice piano after several days off? That’s a lack of dopamine, especially compared to other activities that will produce dopamine instantly.
And, you know how everyone is on social media all the time? The social media people have figured out how to hijack our dopamine producers so it’s nearly impossible to resist checking our followers, subscribers, comments, and likes relentlessly.
Dopamine is a puzzle we all need to solve.
Things like exercise, practicing music, or creating art don’t produce dopamine right away.
They will later on when momentum and progress begin to build. Not so much right now.
This is why so many people quit or never bother trying to get in shape or become a musician. There are too many insta-dopamine hits everywhere.
What is one to do?
I have three ideas for you.
The first is simply awareness. Sometimes just knowing what’s happening in your brain is enough to take control. To say no to the dopamine highs and do the work that actually matters.
The second is to eliminate the instant dopamine producers when it is time to do important work. When you don’t have fatty foods in the house, you won’t be able to eat fatty foods. Turn off the phone. Put the computer away. Eliminate the distractions.
The third and most extreme is to try a dopamine detox. This is a new fad, and not for the faint of heart. Like going on a retreat, challenge yourself to experience a day without technology.
There are deeper, more intense levels, like eliminating eating and reading along with technology. At its most extreme, you can go an entire day doing nothing except looking at a wall.
The idea is to give your brain a dopamine “reset.” Then, you can prioritize what’s most important without as many temptations.
Awareness of how your brain works can be the first step to making your dreams come true.
Awareness that will give you the ability to take control. To turn the phone off from time to time. To say no to the things that won’t help you grow.
And to say yes to the things that will make a difference.
The things that could change your life.