HOW TO TRICK YOUR BODY INTO LOVING TO DO DIFFICULT THINGS

You probably find it easy to indulge in video games or social media browsing on your phone. Sitting in front of a screen for hours, immersed in these activities, is a piece of cake.

But what about dedicating just half an hour to studying? Well, that might seem like a daunting task. And how about spending an hour on your side business? Not exactly enticing, right? Even though you logically understand that studying, exercising, or working on your business will yield more significant long-term benefits, you still find yourself drawn to the allure of watching TV, gaming, and scrolling through social media.

Some argue that the reason is apparent: one set of activities is effortless and demands little effort, while the others are challenging and require you to exert yourself. However, there are individuals who consistently tackle difficult tasks with enthusiasm. This begs the question: why are some people more motivated to confront challenges, and is there a way to make these challenges feel easier?

To explore this, let's delve into the world of brain neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine. Often dubbed the "pleasure molecule," dopamine doesn't exactly create pleasure; rather, it fuels our desires and provides the motivation to act. To illustrate the power of dopamine, consider a series of experiments conducted on rats by neuroscientists. These experiments involved implanting electrodes in the rats' brains, stimulating their reward systems each time they pulled a lever. The result? The rats became so addicted to the dopamine rush that they would pull the lever relentlessly, forsaking eating and sleeping. They essentially lost their will to live.

Conversely, when the release of dopamine in the brain's reward center was blocked, the rats became lethargic, displaying no interest in eating, mating, or any form of pleasure. They had no motivation left.

These rat experiments may seem extreme, but similar dopamine effects occur in humans in our daily lives. Our brains prioritize activities based on the anticipated dopamine reward. If an activity provides too little dopamine, we lack motivation to engage in it. In contrast, activities that promise substantial dopamine release drive us to repeat them repeatedly.

So, what behaviors trigger dopamine release? Any activity where a potential reward is expected will do the trick. If you anticipate a pleasurable outcome, your brain releases dopamine. Even if the reality falls short of expectations, your brain remains fixated on seeking more dopamine.

For instance, before indulging in comfort food, your brain releases dopamine because you anticipate feeling good—even if you end up feeling worse afterward. Your brain doesn't concern itself with whether this high dopamine activity is detrimental; it merely craves more of it. Consider drug addiction: despite knowing the harm, addicts obsessively pursue their next fix because drugs unleash excessive dopamine. In essence, it's not just thirst or hunger that motivates us to seek food and water; dopamine plays a pivotal role.

While these rat experiments may be extreme, they mirror how dopamine operates in humans. Your brain adjusts to maintain homeostasis, down-regulating dopamine receptors in response to consistent high dopamine levels. This creates a tolerance, making low dopamine activities less appealing and more challenging to motivate yourself to do. They become dull compared to high dopamine activities like video games and internet browsing.

So, how can you combat this dopamine tolerance and make challenging tasks feel easier? Enter the dopamine detox. The concept is to set aside a day where you abstain from highly stimulating activities, allowing your dopamine receptors to recover. On this day, you'll abstain from internet use, technology (phones and computers), music, masturbation, and junk food. Embrace boredom, take walks, meditate, reflect on your goals, and write them down on paper.

The detox might seem intense, but it helps make less stimulating activities more appealing by creating a craving for the dopamine they provide. By starving yourself of constant pleasure, you can rekindle your interest in everyday, low dopamine activities.

If you find this approach too radical, you can opt for a smaller dopamine detox by choosing one day each week to abstain from a high dopamine behavior of your choice. This allows your dopamine receptors to recover and encourages you to engage in less stimulating activities.

Moreover, consider using your high dopamine activities as rewards for completing challenging work. Start with demanding tasks, and only indulge in high dopamine activities afterward. This approach helps maintain a balance and keeps you motivated to tackle less rewarding but essential tasks.

Ultimately, your relationship with dopamine affects your motivation and the choices you make. You can choose whether to derive your dopamine from activities that don't benefit you or invest it in pursuing your long-term goals. The choice is yours.