Missions Are More Powerful Than Goals

Coffee with a Neuroscientist

We've been taught throughout our lives that to be productive and successful we need to create goals and plan. In particular, we are trained to plan using SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Based). But as I a Neuroscientist, I know that the brain pays attention in a hierarchal way. At higher brain levels, a mission is seen as more powerful than a goal or task. A goal or task can be limiting, directionless, or unfulfilling if it does not stem from a HIGHER source, the higher cortex...a higher MISSION. In this episode, I will discuss the differences between to-do lists, tasks, goals and missions and explain how the parts of the brain "see" them differently.