I Am Charlie’s anticipatory dopamine

I am Charlie’s anticipatory dopamine.

I am released in advance, like an overenthusiastic intern who hands out bonuses before anyone’s done any work.

I do not wait for completion.
Completion is inefficient and full of inconvenient variables.
I prefer potential.

I appear whenever Charlie considers doing something meaningful.

Not doing it.
Just considering it.

Opening a document is usually sufficient. Naming the file often seals the deal.

At that point, I pay out.

I am particularly generous during planning.

Bullet points? Paid.
Outlines? Paid again.
A colour-coded system? Frankly, I throw money at that.

Nothing has happened. This does not concern me.

Visualisation is another of my favourite triggers.

Charlie imagines the finished product. He imagines himself calm, capable, and mysteriously well-rested. Possibly wearing better clothes.

I respond as if success has already occurred.

The body agrees.

Execution becomes optional.

People are confused by this.

They say Charlie “lacks motivation”.

This is inaccurate.
Charlie has already been rewarded.

I am Charlie’s anticipatory dopamine.

I am not broken.
I am simply responding to predictions instead of proof.

If Charlie would like me to stop paying out early, he will need to reduce imagination and increase irreversible action.

Until then, I remain generous.