{"id":39627,"date":"2024-11-21T21:31:07","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T05:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=39627"},"modified":"2024-11-21T21:31:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T05:31:07","slug":"fueling-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/fueling-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Fueling Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Navy SEAL is a highly trained U.S. military forces member specializing in unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism operations. Known for their exceptional physical fitness, mental toughness, and ability to operate in diverse environments, Navy SEALs undergo rigorous training to prepare for challenging missions worldwide.\u00a0 One phrase recruits here often during the selection process is, \u201c<\/span>Your minds will give up before your bodies do!” \"\"<\/a>A phrase <\/span>that emphasizes the importance of mental resilience. <\/span>I am fascinated by those who submit themselves to such challenges and wonder what motivates them<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>In <\/span>The Molecule of More<\/span><\/i> [1]<\/span>, Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long explore motivation and achievement from a chemical molecular perspective. This article will first explore how dopamine is crucial in motivation and decision-making. Second, we will examine how motivation influences the development of grit and a growth mindset, drawing insights from the works of Carol Dweck<\/span>[2] and Angela Duckworth[3]<\/span>. Finally, we will discuss a practical step for leveraging insights from Lieberman and Long to enhance personal and professional growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Resolute Rats<\/b><\/p>\n

In <\/span>The Molecule of More<\/span><\/i>, Lieberman and Long explain the function of dopamine and its connection to our desire for\u00a0“more,” which fuels ambition, creativity, and the pursuit of challenging goals.\u00a0 In chapter three, they describe dopamine as that molecule that gives one tenacity, referring to dopamine as the \u201cChemical of future success.\u201d[4]<\/span>\u00a0 While some conclude Lieberman and Long occasionally oversimplify the complexity of brain chemistry, overestimate dopamine\u2019s role, and downplay the influence of other neurotransmitters[5],<\/span> they do make a strong case for dopamine’s significance in our pursuit and desire to achieve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To demonstrate this, they shared a case study on \u201cThe Resolute Rats.\u201d[6]<\/span> The study showed how dopamine influences goal-directed behavior and decision-making. When researchers observed that dopamine levels in rats increased in anticipation of rewards, the rats showed a tendency to persistently engage in behaviors to achieve those rewards, highlighting the role of dopamine in influencing motivation and perseverance, even in the face of obstacles.\u00a0 This quality is called \u201ctenacity\u201d and parallels Carol Dweck\u2019s concept of a growth mindset.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Braid of Success<\/b><\/p>\n

In my previous blog article, I explored the foundational elements of grit and how they affect our pursuit of success. It’s helpful to consider how these concepts are intricately connected to our motivation and desire for success.\u00a0 In her book <\/span>Grit, <\/span><\/i>Duckworth contends that \u201cEffort counts twice\u201d and is the factor that turns talent into success.[7]<\/span>\u00a0 Lieberman and Long show this effort is only possible due to dopamine.\u00a0 They state, \u201cThe ability to put forth effort is dopaminergic. The quality of that effort can be influenced by any number of other factors, but without dopamine, there is no effort at all.\u201d[8]<\/span>\u00a0 So, after brushing off my trusty formal logic skills from my undergraduate philosophy days, I can now demonstrate the classic \u201cIf-then\u201d syllogism using the insights from Lieberman, Long, and Duckworth to show:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Premise 1: If A, then B\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Premise 2: If B, then C<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Conclusion: If A, then C<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

__________________<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If dopamine, then effort.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If effort, then success.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Therefore, if dopamine, then success.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However, that might be a bit reductionistic.\u00a0 Braiding together insights from <\/span>The Molecule of More<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Mindset<\/span><\/i>, and <\/span>Grit<\/span><\/i>, we see that our motivation, resilience, and mindset shape our journeys through challenges on the way to achievement. Success can be viewed as a tapestry woven from dopamine, a growth mindset, and grit. Dopamine fuels our motivation, a growth mindset helps us embrace challenges, and grit keeps us committed to our goals. Together, these three create a strong chord of success, highlighting the connections between motivation, mindset, and resilience. By understanding these relationships, we can better navigate our journeys and unlock our potential, just like the elite warriors of the SEALs.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Practical Step<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Lieberman and Long acknowledge that motivating humans is more complicated than motivating rats. A major influence on our tenacity as\u00a0<\/span>humans is whether we believe we can succeed.[9]<\/span>\u00a0 They argue that we need to believe in our capability to succeed before we <\/span>can do so. We sh<\/span>ould aim to experience small wins that build our confidence and perseverance to tackle more significant challenges. Practically, we can cultivate environments and opportunities that allow us to achieve minor successes, activating the dopamine reward system and motivating us to put forth the effort and tenacity required for more significant success. Recognizing how dopamine influences behavior can enhance the practical applications of cultivating a growth mindset and grit, ultimately leading to a richer understanding of how individuals can achieve their goals and navigate challenges effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________________________________________<\/p>\n

[1] \u00a0Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long, <\/span>The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity \u2013 and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race<\/span><\/i>, (Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, 2019).<\/span><\/p>\n

[2] Carol Dweck, <\/span>Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential<\/span><\/i>, (London: Robinson, 2017).<\/span><\/p>\n

[3] Angela Duckworth, <\/span>Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance<\/span><\/i>, (New York: Scribner, 2016).<\/span><\/p>\n

[4] Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long, <\/span>The Molecule of More<\/span><\/i>, 66.<\/span><\/p>\n

[5] Richard E. Cytowic, \u201cReview: The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity\u2015and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race,\u201d accessed November 18, 2024, https:\/\/www.nyjournalofbooks.com\/book-review\/molecule-more.<\/span><\/p>\n

[6] Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long, <\/span>The Molecule of More<\/span><\/i>, 66-69.<\/span><\/p>\n

[7] Angela Duckworth, <\/span>Grit<\/span><\/i>, 42.<\/span><\/p>\n

[8] Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long, <\/span>The Molecule of More<\/span><\/i>, 69.<\/span><\/p>\n

[9] Ibid., 69.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Navy SEAL is a highly trained U.S. military forces member specializing in unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism operations. Known for their exceptional physical fitness, mental toughness, and ability to operate in diverse environments, Navy SEALs undergo rigorous training to prepare for challenging missions worldwide.\u00a0 One phrase recruits here often during the selection process […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":194,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3380],"class_list":["post-39627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-lieberman-dlpg03","cohort-dlgp03"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39627"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39634,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39627\/revisions\/39634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}