DOPAMINE EXCHANGE
“relationships = dopamine exchange. balance giving and receiving.”
The Lesson
Reframe social interactions as dopamine exchanges. You give dopamine through compliments, appreciation, respect, really listening, and sometimes touch. You have to actually express it-thinking it isn't enough. When relationships feel off, check the dopamine balance. Are you receiving but not giving? That's unsustainable. Are neither of you giving? Maybe you need different friends. The givers need to be roughly even over time. This one adjustment-consciously balancing dopamine exchange-can transform your entire social life.
Real-World Example
A founder has a co-founder relationship that's deteriorating. They check the dopamine exchange: they've been receiving support and encouragement but haven't explicitly expressed appreciation back. They start: 'I really respect how you handled that investor.' 'Thanks for covering while I was out. I noticed.' The relationship rebounds. Both were giving, but only one was expressing it. Balance restored.
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