On June 12th, 2025, Gulf Medical University spotlighted an impactful contribution from Dr. Adnan Ahmadiazad, Clinical Lecturer and specialist Psychiatrist, through a thought-provoking session titled: “Extended Motivation and Habits: How Small Smart Steps Create Big Change”.

This talk, based on neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and practical workplace insights, aimed to reframe how learners and professionals think about success, motivation, and daily productivity. Dr. Ahmadiazad emphasized how tiny, intentional behaviors—repeated consistently—build identity, resilience, and purpose.

The session explored several key concepts:

1. The Compound Effect:
   Small smart actions + time = exponential results.
   Example: 15 minutes of daily reading = 10 books/year
2. Atomic Habits in Action:
   Based on James Clear’s 4 rules:
   • Make habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.
   • Shift from goals to identity (e.g., “I am a focused person”).
3. Mental Traps and Clarity:
   Awareness of cognitive biases—like confirmation bias, sunk cost fallacy, and action bias—can improve decision-making and emotional regulation.
4. Free Will and Systems Thinking:
   Neuroscience (e.g., Libet’s studies) shows the brain initiates action before conscious intent.
   → Conclusion: We may not choose our impulses, but we can train systems to guide better outcomes.

Dr. Ahmadiazad concluded with these practical strategies:

• Design your environment to support good habits.
• Celebrate small wins to reinforce motivation.
• Prune unnecessary tasks rather than adding more.
• Pause before reacting—especially under pressure.
• Think in systems, not just goals.

Conclusion

“People do not decide their futures,” Dr. Ahmadiazad noted, quoting F.M. Alexander.
“They decide their habits—and their habits decide their futures.”

The GMU community was encouraged to implement these principles in daily academic and professional life—fostering a culture of self-leadership, mental clarity, and purposeful action.