Why are some people motivated, focused, and successful, while others seem to get distracted, and have little to no motivation to get things done? Is it due to their upbringing? Maybe something about their personality?
Believe it or not, science has discovered as to why some are motivated while others aren’t.
Here’s what studies have shown:
Motivation Is All In Your Head
Everyone talks about having the right mindset to get things done in life. To be truly successful, it starts with self-talk and what’s in your head. Well, it turns out that part of that is true. Motivation is all in your head.
Studies have shown that motivation comes from the nucleus accumbens which is a small section in the brain that sends chemical messages to your body. This is the area of your brain that keeps you focused.
Dopamine Is the Key Ingredient to Motivation
Dopamine is one of the 4 happiness hormones, listed among serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin. When this chemical is released into the body, it passes information from neuron to neuron.
As it moves around in your brain, it comes in contact with other receptors. The way dopamine plays a role in motivation has to do with the mesolimbic pathway it takes in the brain to communicate. This pathway lies in the middle of your brain and leads to the cerebral cortex. When dopamine goes through this pathway, it provides your brain with the ultimate reward.
Dopamine Encourages Us to Act So We Can Reach The Reward
The main job of this chemical is to get you to move on with your thoughts. While it is present when we are happy, it also helps us through pain, loss, or stressful situations. Its job is to get us to do something while avoiding bad things.
Motivated People Have More Of This Chemical
Scientists at Vanderbilt conducted a study between those who were highly motivated and those who were considered lazy. They found that the more motivated group had higher levels of dopamine in their system.
Ways to Increase Dopamine
Since you know that this chemical is responsible for more motivation, there are things you can do to increase this in your body. Here are a few things you should implement in your life:
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- Focus on one task at a time to keep from depleting your brain’s energy
- Be an endgame thinker
- Eat foods high in L-tyrosine which include vegetables, avocados, bananas, green tea, and apples to name a few
- Tell others what you’ve accomplished
- Lend a helping hand to others
- Take note of the things you have accomplished
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These are a few things you should add to your daily routine so that you increase the dopamine in your system. The greater this chemical, the more motivated you will be to get things done.
We would love to hear your comments or questions. Contact us today!
Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com
Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com
574.361.2674
Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor, and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.