From Burnout to Bliss: Dopamine, Motivation, and Goals

Do you feel exhausted by work or life in general? More specifically, do you lack a feeling of motivation and drive that you used to have? If so, you might be experiencing burnout. Burnout is incredibly common, with a 2018 Gallup poll reporting that 23% of employees in the US say they feel burned out at work all or most of the time (and I would guess this is higher post-Covid). While motivation naturally ebbs and flows, when you have an ongoing lack of motivation combined with exhaustion, depression, and other negative emotions, it might mean that you are burned out and need to revitalize your motivation. Part of this might entail simple changes to your behaviors and habits. But it might also involve setting goals with the right level of challenge and, most importantly, goals that are deeply important to you. In this episode, we’ll talk about motivation, including the role of dopamine and related brain systems; intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation; the role of personal autonomy, confidence, and connection with others (Self-Determination Theory); how our emotional state can affect motivation; and the impact of your environment on motivation.