Beware excitement when working towards goals…

"Brainy What-Why-How"

Your weekly nibble of science-backed goodness to help you move better and feel unstoppable.

🧠

Happy New Year!

What (the TL:DR)

As you roll into a new year with goals, intentions, hopes, and dreams, remember:

busy doesn't equal efficient, and being excited about something doesn't mean it's the best thing to do.

Why (the geeky neurology)

As I've learned more and more about dopamine, my life has changed.

For example, it's totally A THING to be addicted to emotionally unavailable romantic partners:

because they don't text you back or show interest in you for days. So when they finally do, it delivers a huge hit of dopamine that makes you feel intoxicated with excitement

— a partner who actually wants to be with you won't give you this.

Maybe it's the dopamine, babe...not the dishy date.

Or that excitement you get when you start a new project -- even though you already have 10 unfinished projects on the go.

The Dunning-Kruger effect* is real, my friend. Ask yourself, "am I actually getting a return on investment here? Or am I just excited to start something new?"

How (apply it to your life)

If this sounds like you, try detaching from the high-charged positive emotions just as your meditation practice teaches you to detach from the negative emotions like anxiety and fear.

Yes they feel good, but just as the negative emotions are not you--they're just emotions -- same goes for the positive ones.

This will teach you to notice when you're being carried away by the current of dopamine, instead of sticking to what really lights you up AND KEEPS YOU BURNING long-term.

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.

- ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Thank you for reading! Get in touch if you have any questions!

And please share with a friend or colleague who might find this valuable.

Keep it up! You're doing marvellously,

Adell xoxo