How Dopamine Hijacks Your Goals (and How to Get Back in Control)

Illustration showing how dopamine hijacks motivation by reinforcing distraction loops, used in a ShiftGrit Psychology blog about overcoming self-sabotage through identity-level therapy.
Dopamine drives us toward short-term rewards—even when it works against our long-term goals. At ShiftGrit, we help clients break these loops by removing the patterns underneath.

Ever felt like your brain is working against you? You know what you want—more focus, better habits, real progress—but you find yourself scrolling, procrastinating, or doing the easy thing instead. Again.

That’s not a flaw. That’s dopamine doing its job.

Your brain is wired to move toward short-term rewards. Dopamine creates motivation, but it’s not always pointed in the direction of your actual goals. It often rewards comfort, not change. Familiarity, not growth.

At ShiftGrit, we work with clients who’ve repeatedly hit this wall. They have goals and drive, but they keep repeating the same behaviours and blaming themselves for it.

What they don’t know yet is that the loop isn’t personal. It’s patterned.

The ShiftGrit Therapy Program helps you break that loop, not by trying harder, but by removing the underlying patterns that keep you stuck.

You don’t need more motivation. You need a brain that isn’t resisting your goals in the first place.

BreakThePattern.ca explains how we help clients create identity-level change that feels effortless.

Want the Full Breakdown?

This blog was inspired by our in-depth article on ShiftGrit.com, where we explain exactly how dopamine drives resistance—and how identity-level therapy helps break that loop.

👉 Read the full guide to dopamine and motivation therapy in Calgary


You can also watch our YouTube Short on dopamine and resistance here.


Helpful links:

  • ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling – Public Index
  • Start breaking the pattern
  • See how therapy can feel easier
  • Explore our Calgary therapy approach
  • Find us on Google Maps
  • Follow us on YouTube

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