Being productive means living each moment to the fullest. This is how I carve my path through life.
I feel most alive after a good night’s sleep—usually seven to eight hours of uninterrupted rest that leaves me waking just before my alarm. At 7:00 AM, I slip out of bed, draw back the curtains, and let a sliver of cool morning air brush my face. I lace up my sneakers and head outside for a brisk five-minute walk—just enough to get my calves warming, my lungs expanding with each deep breath, without breaking a full sweat. By the time I step back indoors, my mind is clear, my mood lifted, and I’ve already scored my first burst of dopamine for the day.
On my way to work, I detour into my favorite café and order a cup of coffee. The rich aroma greets me the moment I push open the door—steam hissing from the espresso machine, beans grinding in the background—and I feel more awake than ever before that first sip touches my lips. That cup carries me through the morning push until I need another energy boost.
By 8:00 AM, I’m at my desk with a fresh to-do list, ready to tackle my top priorities before the world fully stirs.
In the afternoon, the energy dip arrives like clockwork. Instead of surrendering, I shift into my second gear: the news. Scrolling through headlines—an inflammatory tweet here, a shocking statistic there—I let a spark of indignation flare. That heat propels me forward; I jot down bullet points on how to channel this tension into my next deliverable, turning irritation into inspiration.
If I need a micro-break, I stand and stretch or grab a glass of cold water. I might crave another coffee, but I hold back—for the sake of a good night’s rest and tomorrow’s clarity.
Riding that continuous current of focus, I finish the day feeling accomplished—and ready to recharge with another night of sleep.
Book review: Kabasawa, S. (2018). Your Brain Wants Optimization. Sam & Parkers.
Understanding your brain’s chemistry
Our brain operates through a complex network of neurotransmitters that control our emotions, motivation, memory, and overall cognitive abilities. This book simplifies the intricate workings of the brain, focusing on seven key neurotransmitters that play a vital role in optimizing performance and productivity.
The seven key neurotransmitters
1. Dopamine: The Motivation Booster
Dopamine is the chemical that fuels our drive to achieve. It is released when we set and accomplish goals, reinforcing a sense of reward and success. However, excessive dopamine can lead to dependency, while a deficiency can result in movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
2. Norepinephrine: The Focus Enhancer
This neurotransmitter is crucial for alertness and concentration. It regulates the body’s fight-or-flight response and plays a role in stress management. Long-term overproduction, however, is linked to increased anxiety and depression.
3. Serotonin: The Mood Stabilizer
Serotonin helps regulate emotions, ensuring balance and mental well-being. It counteracts the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine, preventing excessive highs and lows. A deficiency can lead to depression and mood disorders.
4. Adrenaline: The Energy Surge
Adrenaline prepares the body for action, increasing heart rate and energy levels. While it can be beneficial in short bursts, prolonged exposure can lead to chronic stress and burnout.
5. Acetylcholine: The Memory Catalyst
This neurotransmitter is essential for learning, memory, and creativity. It enhances cognitive function and helps the brain retain information efficiently.
6. Melatonin: The Sleep Regulator
Melatonin controls sleep cycles and recovery. Proper sleep is crucial for brain function, and disturbances in melatonin production can lead to insomnia and cognitive decline.
7. Endorphins: The Natural Painkillers
Endorphins generate feelings of happiness and euphoria while reducing pain perception. They are released through activities like exercise, laughter, and social bonding.
Balance is the key
The key to peak brain performance lies in maintaining the right balance of these neurotransmitters. Modern lifestyle factors such as stress, poor diet, and irregular sleep disrupt this delicate balance, affecting mental clarity and emotional stability.
How can we use these to our benefit? Let’s take a look at dopamine.
Dopamine plays a crucial role in motivation and achievement. By understanding how it works, we can use it to our advantage.
1. Goal Setting
Set clear and achievable goals to trigger dopamine release.
Instead of overwhelming long-term goals, break them down into small, manageable steps.
Each milestone reached reinforces motivation and sustains long-term progress.
2. Visualizing Your Success
The brain responds positively to visualized achievements.
Creating a mental picture of success enhances commitment and focus.
3. Boosting Learning Efficiency
Enjoying the learning process increases dopamine, leading to better comprehension and memory retention.
Engaging, interactive, and rewarding study methods help sustain motivation.
For me, this blog is the perfect example of having a regular, steady, fixed dose of dopamine. Each weekly post gives me that small but satisfying reward, fueling my motivation and helping me stay focused on my long-term goals. It’s a simple yet effective way to keep the momentum going while improving my communication skills and mental well-being.
Final thoughts
Life is a series of rewarding challenges, and by treating each day as an opportunity to balance and boost my brain chemistry, I’m constantly evolving into the best version of myself.
I hope learning about these magical substances inspires you to explore your own brain’s potential. Maybe some of you need to boost serotonin to lift your mood, while others might benefit from decreasing an overflow of norepinephrine. Whatever it is, recognizing when your balance is off is the first step toward change.
Take a moment each day to check in with yourself. Notice if you feel a little off-balance and consider the role your brain’s chemistry might be playing. Small adjustments in your routine – whether it’s more sleep, a brisk walk, or a mindful pause – can help recalibrate your neurotransmitters. By understanding and respecting your brain’s needs, you’re not just surviving each day-you’re setting the stage for continual growth and lasting well-being.
Here’s to embracing each challenge as an opportunity to nurture our minds and transform our lives. Happy optimizing!
A journey in ink 
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