All rewards are internal.
Think about that for a second.
The joy you feel from literally anything is created in the brain.
If you love the way you feel around a certain person, that feeling comes from you.
It doesn’t matter if it’s skydiving, playing with your kids, or eating pizza.
So what does that mean for us?
If it all comes from your brain, then you can learn to control it.
Your brain’s chemical addiction
I don’t want to get too far into the weeds here, but the brain uses a few different hormones to reward us for behavior:
1. Dopamine:
This neurotransmitter is like a happiness messenger, produced by the hypothalamus.
It’s a key player in our brain’s reward system.
When we do things that bring pleasure or complete a task, dopamine gets released, making us feel great!
2. Serotonin:
Another neurotransmitter, serotonin, kicks in when we feel satisfied or important.
It plays a role in regulating our sleep, appetite, and mood.
No wonder it’s often called the “feel-good” chemical!
3. Oxytocin:
Known as the “cuddle hormone,” oxytocin is a special hormone released by the pituitary gland.
It’s all about love and connection!
Oxytocin is released during moments of intimacy, like sex, or during maternal behavior.
4. Endorphins:
These special chemicals act as neurotransmitters and create a sense of joy and happiness.
You might experience endorphin rushes when doing something enjoyable, like laughing, having sex, or exercising.
They also play a role in pain relief, similar to how prescription opioids work.
Regulating Neurotransmitters and Hormones:
Okay, this can get really complex and scientific.
I’m not interested in boring you with the science.
What I want to point out is that you have neurological processes happening that give you energy.
Eventually that can get depleted.
When that happens, we want to stop or quit.
You can actually train your hormones to help you achieve tasks.
The SuperBowl:
Let me borrow an example from Andrew Huberman.
Think about the teams that play each other at the SuperBowl.
Both teams play and give everything they have to win the game right?
Imagine how tired you would feel after that kind of effort.
Now, watch the winning team after the game.
They are jumping around, laughing, and celebrating.
It seems like they have a brand new burst of energy.
Dopamine is taking over and the players are feeling that internal reward.
Infinite Energy:
You can use this information to get you through difficult or large tasks.
Dopamine can be released by these activities:
- Accomplishing goals or tasks
- Exercise
- Listening to Music
- Social Interactions
If you use small goals inside a larger goal framework, you can use dopamine to help you achieve the bigger goal.
It’s all a mental framework that you have control over.
Make several milestones along the way to keep you going.
Video game companies have figured this out and it’s why people can stay playing for hours and hours.
They keep getting dopamine hits every time they achieve mini goals in the game.
Self Reward:
Reward yourself especially at the parts that are hard or uncomfortable just for taking that on.
Don’t tell yourself you’re doing well when you are getting your ass kicked.
Your brain will know you are lying.
However, you can tell yourself often that you are on the path.
You are moving the right direction and you deserve some personal reward for that.
If you train your brain this way, it will help you achieve your goals and push you along to success.
Consider using music or social interaction as a reward system if you think that will help you more.
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