Harvard's Progress Principle Explained

In this solo episode, I explore The Progress Principle, a concept discovered by two Harvard researchers who studied what really drives happiness and motivation. After analyzing thousands of daily journal entries, they found that the single biggest factor that keeps people inspired isn’t recognition, money, or praise—it’s the feeling of making progress. 

In this episode, I share how the tiniest forward motion sends a signal to the brain that says, “This feels good, do it again.” This isn’t just a nice mindset trick— it’s a complete rewiring of your brain’s reward system.

Our brains are generally wired to miss our own progress. We adapt so quickly to improvements that yesterday’s dream becomes today’s baseline. We also have a negativity bias; our minds cling to what’s not working instead of what is. The result? We feel stuck, unmotivated, or like we’re not doing enough, even when we’re growing in extraordinary ways.

I share exactly how to override that mental wiring with simple, science-backed tools so you can stay consistent and actually achieve your goals. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Why dopamine isn’t about reward-it’s about momentum.
• The “Done List” method that helps you reflect on and record your daily micro wins.
• How celebration strengthens new habits by pairing progress with positive emotion.
• Why asking someone else to reflect on your growth can transform your self-perception.
• How to reframe the “arrival fallacy” so you find joy in the journey, not just the finish line.

I’ll also walk you through my own story! How a conversation with my therapist sister changed how I think about effort and self-worth, and how acknowledging my small wins made me feel more capable, calm, and genuinely proud of my progress for the first time in years.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels, constantly setting goals and falling off track, or measuring yourself against an impossible version of success, this episode is for you. 

✨ Homework: Pause for a moment today and write down three small things you’ve accomplished…no matter how ordinary they seem. Maybe you sent an email you’ve been avoiding, made a healthy meal, or got out of bed on a hard morning. That’s progress. That’s growth. That’s the chemistry of momentum in real time.

👇 Tell me in the comments: What’s one micro win you’re celebrating this week?

Ready to uplevel 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. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/.

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This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors:

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The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy.

Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast. 

This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 376.

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