--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Action leads to Attention. that in the…" description: "\"Action leads to Attention. that in the short-term releases Rewarding brain chemicals and in the long term improves reproductive success.\" — Keith Henson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/keith-henson-18849_action_action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-sh_3183409.jpg" --- # Action leads to Attention. that in the short-term releases… ![“Action leads to Attention. that in the short-term releases Rewarding brain chemicals and in the long term improves reproductive success.” quote by Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/keith-henson-18849_action_action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-sh_3183409.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/keith-henson-18849_action_action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-sh_3183409.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/keith-henson-18849_action_action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-sh_3183409.jpg) > “Action leads to Attention. that in the short-term releases Rewarding brain chemicals and in the long term improves reproductive success.” [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Immediate actions trigger dopamine, while sustained effort enhances evolutionary fitness over time. **In simple terms:** Short rewards vs long‑term success. Key Takeaway Balance quick wins with lasting goals. Themes motivation neuroscience evolution behavior reward Mood motivational cautious Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - goal setting - fitness training - career planning - learning new skills Key Concepts dopamine reproductive success habit formation Questions to Reflect On - What long‑term goals are you neglecting? - How can you sustain motivation? A Different Perspective Short‑term rewards can become addictive, undermining long‑term health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Long term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-term/) [Short term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-term/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [Evolution acts slowly. Our psychological characteristics today are those that promoted reproductive success in the ancestral environmen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/evolution-acts-slowly-our-psychological-characteristics-today-are/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Multitasking creates a dopamine-addiction feedback loop, effectively rewarding the brain for losing focus and for constantly searching for external stimulation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-levitin/multitasking-creates-a-dopamine-addiction-feedback-loop-effectively/) [Daniel Levitin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-levitin/) > [“From another corner of neuroscience, we’re learning about a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Though there are more than fifty neurotransmitters (that we know of), scientists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-foote/from-another-corner-of-neuroscience-we-re-learning-about-a/) Jeffrey Foote > [People repeat behaviour that leads to flooding their brains with pleasurable chemicals. The short-term reward loop acts over hours to years, and the long-term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/people-repeat-behaviour-that-leads-to-flooding-their-brains-with/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [“For all we know, our ancestors may have had better reproductive success not because they were smart, but because they were emotionally sensitive, dynamically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-f-small/for-all-we-know-our-ancestors-may-have-had-better-reproductive/) Meredith F. Small > [Natural selection may lead to benefits for species, but these 'higher' advantages can only arise as sequelae, or side consequences, of natural selection's causal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/natural-selection-may-lead-to-benefits-for-species-but-these-higher/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [Natural selection involves no plan, no goal, and no direction — just genes increasing and decreasing in frequency depending on whether individuals with those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randolph-m-nesse/natural-selection-involves-no-plan-no-goal-and-no-direction-just/) [Randolph M. Nesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randolph-m-nesse/) > [If any value is deeply evolutionarily familiar, it is reproductive success. If any value is truly unnatural, if there is one thing that humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satoshi-kanazawa/if-any-value-is-deeply-evolutionarily-familiar-it-is-reproductive/) [Satoshi Kanazawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satoshi-kanazawa/) > [“People are not controlled by some internal calculator that crudely motivates them to maximize their reproductive success. Instead, people form deep, lifelong emotional attachments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randolph-m-nesse/people-are-not-controlled-by-some-internal-calculator-that-crudely/) [Randolph M. Nesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randolph-m-nesse/) > [I try to do the right thing. If you do what you know is right, and you're a good person, you might not win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-peterson/i-try-to-do-the-right-thing-if-you-do-what-you-know-is-right-and-you/) [Gunnar Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-peterson/) > [If we human beings learn to see the intricacies that bind one part of a natural system to another and then to us, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/if-we-human-beings-learn-to-see-the-intricacies-that-bind-one-part-of/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [In the U.S. Senate, in the short term we need to reduce the tax burden on hard working individuals, families, and small businesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-ernst/in-the-u-s-senate-in-the-short-term-we-need-to-reduce-the-tax-burden/) [Joni Ernst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-ernst/) > [A job is a short term solution to a long term problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/a-job-is-a-short-term-solution-to-a-long-term-problem/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [The economic position is only flourishing on the surface. Germany is in fact dancing on a volcano. If the short-term credits are called in,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-stresemann/the-economic-position-is-only-flourishing-on-the-surface-germany-is/) [Gustav Stresemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustav-stresemann/) > [Nature will eventually do what nature has always done. It will respond in a self-stabilizing manner over the long term with moderate variability over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-h-sununu/nature-will-eventually-do-what-nature-has-always-done-it-will-respond/) John H. Sununu ## More by Keith Henson > [Lie detection is like language; there is a learning window. Telling whoppers to small children seems to be a family tradition in many families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/lie-detection-is-like-language-there-is-a-learning-window-telling/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [The information that is passed from person to person and from generation to generation is the primary factor that gives humans a competitive advantage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/the-information-that-is-passed-from-person-to-person-and-from/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Evolution acts slowly. Our psychological characteristics today are those that promoted reproductive success in the ancestral environmen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/evolution-acts-slowly-our-psychological-characteristics-today-are/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Anyone who has ever had the feeling of being higher than a kite after giving a public speech is well aware of the effects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/anyone-who-has-ever-had-the-feeling-of-being-higher-than-a-kite-after/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Children do not have to learn that streets are dangerous places by potentially fatal trial and error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/children-do-not-have-to-learn-that-streets-are-dangerous-places-by/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [People repeat behaviour that leads to flooding their brains with pleasurable chemicals. The short-term reward loop acts over hours to years, and the long-term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/people-repeat-behaviour-that-leads-to-flooding-their-brains-with/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Cults, or related social movements such as the Taliban in Afghanistan, result in massive military expenses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/cults-or-related-social-movements-such-as-the-taliban-in-afghanistan/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [People under the influence of cults is similar to that we observe in addicts. Typical behaviour for both includes draining bank accounts, neglecting children,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/people-under-the-influence-of-cults-is-similar-to-that-we-observe-in/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Humans have evolved to be exquisitely sensitive to changes in status.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/humans-have-evolved-to-be-exquisitely-sensitive-to-changes-in-status/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Perhaps teachers should be instructed in a program where they lie to their students on a regular basis to sharpen up their skills at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/perhaps-teachers-should-be-instructed-in-a-program-where-they-lie-to/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Most of the suicide hijackers came from Saudi Arabia, a place not lacking in wealth. But due to rapid population growth, the wealth per…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/most-of-the-suicide-hijackers-came-from-saudi-arabia-a-place-not/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Trying to control information in the network age is about as successful as pissing into the wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/trying-to-control-information-in-the-network-age-is-about-as/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [If anyone wonders why the airlines are not doing well it is because flying has been made such an unpleasant and degrading experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/if-anyone-wonders-why-the-airlines-are-not-doing-well-it-is-because/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [Successful cult memes induce intense social interaction behaviour between cult members. This trips the attention detectors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/successful-cult-memes-induce-intense-social-interaction-behaviour/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [I suspect that a substantial fraction of human problems in the world today, not just cults, result from the mismatch between the current environment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/i-suspect-that-a-substantial-fraction-of-human-problems-in-the-world/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) [Explore all 34 Keith Henson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Action leads to Attention. that in the short-term releases Rewarding brain chemicals and in the long term improves reproductive success.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Keith Henson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-short-term-releases-rewarding/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-short-term-releases-rewarding/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/keith-henson-18849_action_action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-sh_3183409.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/keith-henson-18849_action_action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-sh_3183409.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/keith-henson-18849_action_action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-sh_3183409.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Action leads to Attention. that in the short-term releases Rewarding brain chemicals and in the long term…” — Keith Henson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Keith Henson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Action leads to Attention. that in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-short-term-releases-rewarding/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/action-leads-to-attention-that-in-the-short-term-releases-rewarding/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```