Leadership guru Jon Gordon recently said “progress is addicting” because even small accomplishments produce dopamine. Dopamine, of course, is the brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitter that not only makes us feel satisfied but also pushes us to keep going and achieve even more.
Here’s how it works
✅ You set a goal.
✅ You take a step towards achieving it.
✅ Your brain rewards you with a dopamine hit.
✅ You feel good and want to do more to produce that same reward.
And while results are always the ultimate goal, this cycle is why progress—not just results—keeps us engaged in our work. The brain doesn’t wait for the finish line to celebrate. It rewards movement.
And while we usually view the term “addictive” in a negative light, dopamine is nature’s purest form of addiction—the kind God intended. Better still, when we use systems like EOS™, that help us document our progress, we create a motivation cycle that continually fuels itself.
So, next time you’re feeling stuck, don’t wait around for some massive breakthrough or for the completion of your 90-day goals. Work on today’s to-do’s that must be completed to achieve the longer-term goals. Then, make your progress visible, celebrate small wins, give your team props when progress is made, and build on that momentum. Because at the end of the day, while our goals are critical, tremendous satisfaction and motivation can come from enjoying the ride and building trust with your people.
Now it’s your turn! What’s one small win you’ve had recently that gave you a dopamine boost?