Design a System Not Rely on Motivation

I walk you through six science-backed questions that will help you design your most aligned, grounded, and fulfilling year yet. These are the prompts I personally use to understand what’s working, what’s not, and how to move toward the version of myself I want to become.

You’ll learn how to decode the patterns hiding in your best and worst days, how to use the expectancy effect to make your big dreams more achievable, why your values don’t matter unless you’re living them, and how systems (not motivation) actually determine your success. We’ll also explore the beliefs you need to leave behind in 2025, plus the neuroscience explaining why reflecting on your wins dramatically increases motivation.

Whether you feel stuck, excited for a reset, or simply want 2026 to look and feel different than the year before, this is guaranteed to help. 

If you want to go deeper, I created a free companion workbook + life audit at LizMoody.com/2026, to help you turn these questions into your most meaningful year yet.

🎧 What you’ll learn:

• How analyzing your “best” and “blah” days reveals the habits that shape your mood and energy
• Why your brain responds to what you believe is possible, not what’s true—and how to use this to achieve your goals
• The Expectancy Effect and why acting as if your success is inevitable actually rewires your brain
• How to identify your top three values and the wake-up-call question that reveals whether you're living them
• The surprising way capitalism conditions many of us to prioritize wealth over what we actually care about
• The Arrival Fallacy: why achievements never feel as good as the process that gets us there
• Why subtracting old beliefs and habits is more effective than adding more to your plate
• The dopamine-boosting reflection ritual that increases motivation and reminds you of how far you’ve come

Check out previous Liz Moody Podcast episodes mentioned today:

• The Science Of Pain: Natural Ways To Manage Chronic & Acute Pain + Hidden Causes With Dr. Rachel Zoffness
• How To Figure Out Your Dream Career (and Actually Get It!) with Suzy Welch
• Proven Habits To Build Resilience: How To Handle Anything The World Throws At You with Sahil Bloom

Subscribe to Liz’s Substack to download a FREE Connection Card Game: https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome

Ready to transform every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now! 

Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com.

Shop conversation cards, cute merch & more: https://shop.lizmoody.com/

Use vetted discount codes at https://www.lizmoody.com/codes

This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to our sponsors:

• Pique: go to PiqueLife.com/LizMoody for up to 20% off plus a special gift.
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The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. Music by Alex Ruimy.

Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.

This podcast and website represent the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical, mental health, legal, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your specific needs.

The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 390

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