Science Behind Getting Excited About Life

Sep 2, 2025

Explore the exhilarating science behind anticipation and its vital role in motivation. The brain actually craves the excitement of what’s to come more than the rewards themselves. Personal stories reveal how optimism can thrive even in the face of loss. Learn about the 'anticipation engine' formula for maintaining a fulfilling outlook, and discover how mindfulness can amplify your excitement for life. Get ready to understand why having things to look forward to could be the key to unlocking your motivation!

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ANECDOTE

Launching Through Loss

Scott launched his business the day his wife received a terminal diagnosis and she died 100 days later.
He chose to seek possibility and kept building the podcast and coaching work after her death.

INSIGHT

Anticipation Beats The Actual Reward

Anticipation produces stronger motivation than receiving the reward itself.
Dopamine fires when you expect a reward, so the lead-up often feels better than the outcome.

ADVICE

Build An Anticipation Engine

Build an "anticipation engine" by deliberately scheduling things to look forward to.
Use anticipation to increase motivation and focus in daily life.

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Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Science Behind Getting Excited About Life

September 2, 2025 | Episode 5172

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Scott gets fired up about one of his favorite motivational drivers: anticipation. Turns out, your brain gets more excited about what's coming than what you actually get.

He breaks down the science behind why anticipation creates more dopamine than the reward itself. Plus, Scott shares his "anticipation engine" formula that he's been using with clients for 20 years.

From concert tickets to motorcycle trips, discover why having something to look forward to might be the missing piece in your motivation puzzle.

Featured Story

Twenty years ago, Scott's world turned upside down when his wife received a terminal diagnosis the same day he launched his business. She died 100 days later.

But even facing certain death, Scott chose to see possibilities instead of just darkness. That decision to embrace the ugly stuff while staying optimistic launched everything he does today.

It's a powerful reminder that you can choose to keep your chin up and make life work anyway, even when the world gets crazy.

Important Points

Anticipation creates more excitement and motivation than actually receiving the reward itself.

Your brain's dopamine system fires when you anticipate something good, not when you get it.

Building an "anticipation engine" requires having things to look forward to this week, next week, next month, and next year.

Memorable Quotes

"Anticipation is actually the reward. Isn't that cool?"

"When you get real about it, when you just relax a little bit and surrender a little bit and say the world's going to be kind of evil and crazy sometimes, and we're just going to be upbeat and positive and optimistic and go make it work anyway, boom, life happens."

"I cannot overstate the importance of having something that you anticipate off in your future that you just get excited about."

Scott's Three-Step Approach

Put something exciting on your calendar that personally fires you up, not something boring that won't create anticipation.

Create expectations with high confidence by choosing outcomes you believe will happen on a scale of zero to 10.

Build anticipation at different time intervals by having things to look forward to this week, next week, next month, and further out.

Connect With Me

Search for The Daily Boost on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Email: support@motivationtomove.com

Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com

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