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Could our craving for dopamine be better satisfied by doing things that are actually good for us? I’m lucky to work with really smart people at AdaMarie. In the middle of a brainstorming session on how to give young women practical guidance on any number of career topics, I’m often hit with a wave of gratitude that I get to have a single conversation with any of the women on these calls, let alone many conversations. One thing I find myself saying a lot on these calls is, “we don’t need to do that much—simple awareness of a thing can often transform people’s behavior.” And my personal favorite version of “awareness of a thing” is a scientific explanation for why I feel a certain way at a given moment. Stay with me here. I noticed recently a marked shift in the way I think about activities. Traditionally and for most of my life, I slated them in two distinct categories—“fun” and “work” (either domestic or professional). There’s also what I call the “maintenance” category, which impacts women distinctly. This is a handful of activities that on some level we tell ourselves are fun and a luxury—like getting our nails done—but are actually oftentimes required to present to the world in the most traditionally advantageous way. Here is where “awareness of a thing” comes back into play. We all have an inner voice. This isn’t news, but I find as I get older, I observe that voice more often and approach it with more curiosity. I’m not really a procrastinator, and I tend to do work quickly—from dishes to teeth brushing to writing a policy. Over the last few days, I’ve been noticing something my inner voice says before I start any of these little projects: “You’re going to feel so good when you finish this.” Every. Single. Time. And it might be the only reason I do the thing! Here’s where it gets interesting. Science backs this up. We associate “fun” activities with pleasure because they give us quick dopamine hits—things like scrolling social media, watching TV, or online shopping. But work activities actually trigger more dopamine, and the effect lasts longer. Research suggests that dopamine is released not just when we experience pleasure, but when we pursue goals and accomplish tasks—even small ones. It’s a motivational force, not just a “reward chemical.” If more people understood this—if we simply became aware of how dopamine actually works—would it change how we approach work? Would we be more motivated to start a task, knowing that our brains are wired to reward effort more than passive pleasure? I don’t know for sure, but I can’t stop thinking about it. What do you think? Have you noticed your inner voice coaching you into action?