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Published -
- February 24, 2020
- 4:00 pm
You probably don’t have a problem playing video games or browsing social media on your phone.
In fact I have no doubt you could sit in front of a screen and do both of those activities for 2 hours, or even longer without breaking your concentration.
But what about half an hour of studying? That might be too hard.
How about working on your side business for another hour? Doesn’t sound too appealing.
Even though you logically know that studying, exercising, building a business or something equally productive, will bring you more benefits in the long run, you still prefer watching TV, playing video games and scrolling through social media.
One might argue that it’s obvious why.
One activity is easy and doesn’t require much effort, while the other activity is difficult and it requires you to apply yourself.
But some people seem to have no problem studying, exercising, or working on their side projects, regularly.
Which begs the question: Why are some people more motivated to tackle difficult things?
And is there a way to make doing difficult things, easy?
How can finding purpose and embracing delayed gratification help individuals enjoy the process of doing hard things and achieve their goals?
As human beings, it is natural for us to seek pleasure and avoid discomfort. However, this innate tendency can often hinder our personal growth and prevent us from achieving the success we desire. In recent years, there has been a growing trend among individuals who have discovered the power of “dopamine detox” in retraining their brains to appreciate and enjoy the process of doing hard things.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for the feelings of pleasure and reward in our brains. Many of the activities we engage in every day, such as social media, video games, and even food and alcohol, stimulate the release of dopamine in our brains. As a result, we become addicted to these activities and can struggle to enjoy tasks that do not offer the same level of instant gratification.
This is where dopamine detox comes in. By temporarily eliminating all stimuli that trigger the release of dopamine in our brains, we can reset our cognitive pathways and learn to appreciate the satisfaction of completing difficult tasks that may not offer instant gratification.
Implementing a dopamine detox can be challenging, especially if you are used to relying on external sources of pleasure for motivation. However, with commitment and persistence, anyone can learn to trick their brain into enjoying the process of doing hard things.
One strategy that has been effective for me is to break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. By focusing on completing one small task at a time, I can gain a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that helps me to maintain my motivation.
Another helpful strategy is to find a sense of purpose or meaning in the tasks you are undertaking. When you understand how your efforts contribute to your personal growth or the achievement of a larger goal, it becomes easier to stay motivated and enjoy the process.
Finally, it is essential to appreciate the power of delayed gratification. When we delay the release of dopamine by putting in the work and effort required to complete difficult tasks, the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction we experience is far greater than any temporary pleasure we might find in other activities.
In conclusion, if you are looking to make a positive change in your life and learn to enjoy doing hard things, implementing a dopamine detox may be the key to boosting your motivation and achieving your goals. By taking small steps, finding purpose, and embracing delayed gratification, you can trick your brain into appreciating the satisfaction of hard work and ultimately achieve the success you desire.
