Our brains remain a mystery — there’s still so much to discover about how and why they shape our behavior, health and more. But there’s a lot that we do know! That’s why I’m excited that this issue focuses on using our understanding of the brain to help learners grow. We can also apply this knowledge to accelerate our own career and professional development. In this column, I’ll share a few “biohacks” to help you tackle your most important career goals.

1. Break Down Big Goals with Chunking

When setting career goals, create a bold, audacious vision that inspires you. However, these goals often feel distant from where we are now. To help your brain bridge the gap, break large milestones into smaller, manageable tasks. This technique, called chunking, allows you to focus on one step at a time, improving concentration and reducing mental fatigue. It also gives you the opportunity to think through some of the less tangible aspects of career development and receive positive feedback along the way.

For example, breaking down your goal of a promotion into small steps — such as building relationships with others in that role, gaining specific experiences or developing a necessary skill — offers small wins that provide your brain with the dopamine boost it needs to stay motivated for the next step.

2. Build Positive Habits for Long-Term Success

Let’s face it — our lives are busy, and it can be tough to maintain a consistent focus on career development. But waiting for your annual review to reflect on your progress won’t cut it. That’s why building habits is key. When you develop strong habits, especially keystone habits (those that trigger a domino effect of positive change), you create a cascade of improvements in your career. Work to adopt habits that block time for learning and reflection and create an easy roadmap for your career plan. Broader life habits like exercise, meditation and sleep also create ripple effects to your success.

Developing these habits can be difficult, but we can hack this challenge. Use visual cues to remind yourself of your goals. Stick a note in your workspace or set a visual reminder on your desktop background. Leverage technology to create reminders for checking in on your professional development plan or blocking time for focused, deep work. This time can be used for tasks like reading industry articles, learning new skills or connecting with key members of your network. And don’t forget to plan for your next deep work session by creating a roadmap that’s easy to follow — reducing friction makes it easier to avoid procrastination and keep your momentum going.

A final keystone habit to consider is journaling. Spend just five minutes a day (or a week) reflecting on your successes and challenges. This simple practice helps your brain process these experiences, shifts your focus to what you’ve learned and clarifies your next steps for continued growth.

3. Leverage Strategic Networking

The people you surround yourself with play a significant role in shaping your career. Identify individuals in your network who are practicing the career management techniques you aspire to and spend time with them. By applying the principle of social conformity, you can align yourself with people whose beliefs, behaviors and goals reflect where you want to be. This can help you stay motivated, gain insights and accelerate your progress.

Conclusion

Incorporating these biohacks into your career development strategy can help you optimize your growth, stay focused and make lasting progress. Start small, stay consistent and use the science behind how our brains work to enhance your path forward.