Dopamine on Credit: The Cost of Oversharing

Let’s get brutally honest: sharing your big plans with the world might feel good, but it’s stealing joy you haven’t earned yet. And worse, it might sabotage the very goals you’re so excited about. Here’s the truth: telling people your plans is borrowing dopamine on credit—and the interest is steep.

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The Dopamine Trap

Dopamine is the brain’s “feel-good” chemical, designed to reward us when we anticipate or achieve something significant. It’s the spark that fuels our motivation and keeps us chasing goals. But here’s the catch: when you talk about your plans—when you bask in those “That’s amazing!” responses—you trigger a dopamine hit. It feels like progress. You get that rush, that sense of accomplishment, without lifting a finger.

It’s a lie. A premature reward. And your brain, smug with its unearned victory, relaxes. Why bother pushing hard toward the finish line when you’ve already tasted the applause?

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The Illusion of Progress

Let me break it down. When you share your plans, you risk:

1. Tricking Yourself Into Complacency
   Social validation—the “You’re so ambitious!” or “That’s such a great idea!” comments—can trick your mind into believing you’re further along than you really are. You’ve scratched the itch without doing the work.

2. Losing Urgency
   Once the reward centers in your brain are satisfied, the fire that drives action dwindles. The endorphins don’t care if you actually cross the finish line. They’ve already celebrated.

3. Creating Unnecessary Pressure
   On the flip side, sharing can backfire. The moment you publicize a plan, you introduce a new pressure: the expectation to perform. This can be paralyzing. Suddenly, it’s not about achieving your goal—it’s about meeting other people’s expectations. You lose the freedom to fail, experiment, and grow quietly.

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Stop Performing, Start Achieving

Here’s the hard truth: your goals aren’t a spectacle. They don’t need an audience, and they certainly don’t need applause before they’ve been accomplished. The most satisfying victories are quiet, deliberate, and earned through action—not validation.

When you keep your plans to yourself, you protect your motivation. You keep the hunger alive. Instead of squandering your drive on fleeting praise, you channel it into action. It’s not glamorous. It’s not Instagrammable. But it works.

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How to Stay Silent and Succeed

This isn’t about never sharing—it’s about sharing wisely. Here’s how to flip the script:

1. Share Selectively
   Only confide in people who will hold you accountable without inflating your ego. A mentor, a partner, or a close friend who’s invested in your growth can provide valuable support without letting you off the hook.

2. Focus on the Process, Not the Destination
   If you must share, talk about the steps you’re taking, not the big shiny goal at the end. This keeps the conversation grounded in action and progress.

3. Savor the Internal Wins
   Build a habit of celebrating small victories quietly. Every step forward is a reminder of what you’re capable of—without needing external validation.

4. Revisit Your "Why"
   Regularly remind yourself why you’re chasing this goal. What does it mean to you? When you stay anchored in your intrinsic motivation, the pull of external praise diminishes.

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The Reward is in the Results

Stop announcing your plans like they’re a preview for a blockbuster movie. Stop borrowing dopamine you haven’t earned. Save the applause for when you’ve crossed the finish line—and trust me, the cheers will sound sweeter when they’re celebrating your results, not your intentions.

In the meantime, keep your head down. Work hard. Let your results do the talking.

Because here’s the secret: when you’re building something extraordinary, silence isn’t just golden—it’s powerful. Let it fuel you.