Motivate!

Stress

This Is Your Brain on Frustration: Conquering the Annoyance

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on May 20, 2024

Frustration is at times unavoidable, but knowing how your brain reacts to noxious threats is the first step toward keeping frustration in check.

Frustration is at times unavoidable, but knowing how your brain reacts to noxious threats is the first step toward keeping frustration in check.

Dopamine

Dopamine: The Motivation Drug We're All Hooked on

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on April 2, 2024

Capitalizing on your motivation or eliminating apathy and inaction means keen awareness of the powerful role of rewards and your unique dopamine production.

Capitalizing on your motivation or eliminating apathy and inaction means keen awareness of the powerful role of rewards and your unique dopamine production.

Motivation

The Problem With Passion: It Can Mask Pleasure

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on February 28, 2024

How your brain responds to reward matters more than the power of positive emotion.

How your brain responds to reward matters more than the power of positive emotion.

Dopamine

Feel Like Doing Nothing? It May Be a Dopamine Deficit

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on January 4, 2024

Dopamine is the molecule that makes us feel good about expending effort. Motivation neurobiology reveals ways to enhance effort without extra calories, drugs, or risk.

Dopamine is the molecule that makes us feel good about expending effort. Motivation neurobiology reveals ways to enhance effort without extra calories, drugs, or risk.

Emotion Regulation

The Benefits of Accepting Negative Thoughts and Emotions

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

Accepting negative thoughts and emotions rather than judging them may allow individuals to experience less negative emotion and, ultimately, foster better psychological health.

Accepting negative thoughts and emotions rather than judging them may allow individuals to experience less negative emotion and, ultimately, foster better psychological health.

Bias

The Blindness of Self-Perception: Why We Misread Our Motives

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

Understanding the false and mostly unconscious narratives that influence our behavior is crucial for self-improvement.

Understanding the false and mostly unconscious narratives that influence our behavior is crucial for self-improvement.

Altruism

When Helping Hurts: Unexpected Downsides of Helping Others

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on September 26, 2023

Supporting others gives us an ego boost but unsolicited help may inhibit performance, generate negative emotions, and even diminish self-worth.

Supporting others gives us an ego boost but unsolicited help may inhibit performance, generate negative emotions, and even diminish self-worth.

Artificial Intelligence

Is AI the Key to Improving Mental Healthcare Accessibility?

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on September 13, 2023

Can AI therapy replace human counselors? Explore how AI is transforming mental healthcare—increasing access and personalization but preserving the human touch.

Can AI therapy replace human counselors? Explore how AI is transforming mental healthcare—increasing access and personalization but preserving the human touch.

Self-Esteem

This Is the Belief That Influences Every Decision You Make

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on August 21, 2023

Self-perceptions are powerful influences on the goals we set, the tasks we pursue, and the effort that we choose to invest.

Self-perceptions are powerful influences on the goals we set, the tasks we pursue, and the effort that we choose to invest.

Artificial Intelligence

The Hidden Mental Manipulation of Generative AI

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on August 1, 2023

Negative perceptions of the impact of AI rarely identify the psychological and behavioral consequences of the technology. These are some of the critical concerns.

Negative perceptions of the impact of AI rarely identify the psychological and behavioral consequences of the technology. These are some of the critical concerns.

Motivation

This Is How You Can Ignite Your Fading Motivation

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on July 21, 2023

The doldrums of a long summer can decrease work motivation, but these strategies can refocus your performance potential and prime you for an unforgettable year.

The doldrums of a long summer can decrease work motivation, but these strategies can refocus your performance potential and prime you for an unforgettable year.

Jealousy

Do We Secretly Hate the Super-Rich?

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on July 5, 2023

Whether you admit it or not, you may experience animosity toward those who are wealthier than you. Understanding why is one step towards becoming more empathetic and kind.

Whether you admit it or not, you may experience animosity toward those who are wealthier than you. Understanding why is one step towards becoming more empathetic and kind.

Career

Do Prettier People Get More Job Offers?

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on June 15, 2023

People with good looks get better jobs, better pay, and higher performance ratings. However, there are times when looking good can be very bad.

People with good looks get better jobs, better pay, and higher performance ratings. However, there are times when looking good can be very bad.

Motivation

Is It Possible to Teach Someone to Be Motivated?

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on April 26, 2023

Leaders are often held accountable for employee behavior, but is it realistic to think you can change someone’s values and beliefs?

Leaders are often held accountable for employee behavior, but is it realistic to think you can change someone’s values and beliefs?

Leadership

Increased Sexual Activity May Enhance Leadership Ability

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

The “spillover effect” suggests that intimate contact at home can help build relationships in the workplace.

The “spillover effect” suggests that intimate contact at home can help build relationships in the workplace.

Leadership

These Types of Leaders Can Expect to Be More Successful

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

There is one huge mistake successful leaders never make. Are you poised to take the next step and improve your leadership capability?

There is one huge mistake successful leaders never make. Are you poised to take the next step and improve your leadership capability?

Depression

Why Intrinsic Motivation at Work Sometimes Barely Matters

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on March 14, 2023

What motivates you to set a goal or complete a task is secondary to feeling like you are in control. Enhancing autonomy is the key to optimal human performance.

What motivates you to set a goal or complete a task is secondary to feeling like you are in control. Enhancing autonomy is the key to optimal human performance.

Artificial Intelligence

3 Tactics for Outsmarting Artificial Intelligence

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on February 15, 2023

Like many innovations, artificial intelligence is predicted to change how we think, feel, and act. Are the claims justified?

Like many innovations, artificial intelligence is predicted to change how we think, feel, and act. Are the claims justified?

Leadership

The Words That Successful Leaders Use

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on February 8, 2023

Do you use the language of a compelling and persuasive leader? What you say makes a difference, but often how you say it matters even more.

Do you use the language of a compelling and persuasive leader? What you say makes a difference, but often how you say it matters even more.

Leadership

5 Leadership Strategies Not Taught in Business School

Bobby Hoffman Ph.D. on January 26, 2023

Are you looking for ways to upgrade your leadership skills? Autonomy-supportive behaviors may be the key to your leadership prowess and personal growth.

Are you looking for ways to upgrade your leadership skills? Autonomy-supportive behaviors may be the key to your leadership prowess and personal growth.