Molly Watts
Molly Watts, Author & Coach
Think Thursday: The Neuroscience of Follow-Through
Think Thursday: The Neuroscience of Follow-Through
Think Thursday: The Neuroscience of Follow-Through
Thursday 8th January 2026
Discover why most New Year's resolutions fail by mid-January and how understanding your brain can lead to lasting change.
10 minutes
Informative
Inspiring
Encouraging
Educational
Hopeful
About this podcast
Author:
Molly Watts
Overview:
Categories:
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Creative Recovery Journeys
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Episodes:
340 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!The Neuroscience Behind Sticking to Your Goals
Episode Overview
- Motivation is a spark driven by dopamine but isn't meant to last.
- The brain naturally reverts to old habits as they require less energy.
- Small steps and habit stacking can aid in forming new behaviours.
- Expecting friction helps in overcoming challenges during change.
- Building evidence of success strengthens self-trust and consistency.
"Follow-through isn't about becoming a different person overnight. It's about creating conditions where your brain can keep going without burning out."
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? Molly Watts, in this engaging episode of The Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, dives into the nitty-gritty of how our brains work when motivation starts to fade. Picking up from last week's chat on the Fresh Start Effect, Molly breaks down why many of us abandon our New Year’s resolutions by mid-January. Spoiler alert: it's not because we're weak or lack discipline.
Instead, Molly sheds light on how the brain processes motivation and follow-through, and why understanding this can be the key to lasting change. Molly uses neuroscience and behaviour change research to explain that motivation is like a spark, driven by dopamine, which gets us started but isn't designed to last. When that initial excitement fades, our brains naturally want to return to old habits because they require less energy.
This is where most people give up, but Molly argues that this phase is actually where real change begins. She offers practical tips on how to keep going when motivation dips. From reducing decisions to anchoring new behaviours to existing routines, Molly's advice is all about making it easier for your brain to form new habits. She emphasises the importance of small steps, expecting friction, and building evidence rather than relying on enthusiasm.
Molly's insights are not just informative; they're a game-changer for anyone looking to make sustainable changes in their life. So, if you’re tired of being a January statistic, this episode might just have the answers you need. Are you ready to work with your brain instead of against it?