Don't only set goals, achieve them!

Setting a goal is only the first step. Insights from neuroscience show how setting goal is far more the easiest step, as problems arise when we become challenged when we are on the way to achieve them.

why?

Neuroscience research suggests several reasons why motivation might decrease after setting a goal.

• Lack of Immediate Reward: The brain's reward system is more responsive to immediate gratification, so when the desired outcome of a goal is distant, it can lead to a decrease in motivation as the brain seeks more immediate sources of pleasure.
• Overwhelming Complexity: Setting overly complex or daunting goals can activate the brain's stress response, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed and a subsequent decline in motivation.
• Inadequate Dopamine Release: Unrealistic or unattainable goals can hinder the brain's ability to release dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of reward and motivation, leading to decreased drive and enthusiasm.
• Absence of Social Support: A lack of social support or accountability can diminish the brain's social reward systems, reducing motivation and making it more challenging to stay committed to the goal.

Understanding these neuroscience-based factors can help individuals develop strategies to sustain motivation, such as breaking down goals into smaller, achievable tasks, seeking social support, and finding ways to create more immediate and tangible rewards along the path to achieving the desired goal.

Fouzia Draoua

Coaching psychologist