motivation Archives - David R Hamilton PHD

Montage - left to right - of a caterpillar morphing into a monarch butterfly through 6 stages. They're perched on a green rope and set against a deep blue sky. The image is to represent the Bannister Effect - breaking through barriers.

The Bannister Effect: How to Break Your Psychological Barriers

By Dr David R Hamilton | August 26, 2026

Discover how the Bannister Effect can help you shatter limiting beliefs and achieve much more. Learn to apply this psychological breakthrough today.

Close up of a dandelion starting to shed some seeds. The background is blurred out, but contains bright yellow and greens suggesting morning sunshine.

Change What You Do by Changing Who You Are

By Dr David R Hamilton | April 29, 2026

Science is beginning to show that lasting change is less about what you do and more about who you believe you are.

Superman depiction. Cartoon image of a tall, skinny man wearing black trousers and a blue suit jacket over a white shirt. He's carrying a brown brief case and has a Superman cape flowing from him. He's holding a barbell with heavy weights on it above his head with one hand. It's so heavy the bar is bending.

Why Harder Can Feel Better

By Dr David R Hamilton | February 25, 2026

Have you ever noticed that the things you work hardest for often mean the most Psychologists call this the IKEA Effect. It’s the tendency to value things more when we’ve put effort into building, creating, or attaining them.

3D cartoon illustration of cute smiling man flying in air like a plane on a white background.

The dip before the leap

By Dr David R Hamilton | August 5, 2022

It’s so easy for us to think we’ve failed when stuff seems to take a downturn. We secretly believe that we’re not good enough, or not intelligent enough, or not this or that enough … or just not enough! And we give up.