Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Rigid Goals Kill Creativity: Embrace Iterative Success

1/31/2025

50 9

Summary

Story summary

Performance-based goals, such as SMART criteria, can stifle motivation and creativity, often breeding anxiety and unethical actions. This is linked to the habenula, the brain's disappointment center, which can become overstimulated from relentless goal monitoring, causing ongoing dissatisfaction. Embracing an iterative mindset, however, encourages success through manageable actions and ongoing adaptation.

1 of 1

Story summary

Performance-based goals, such as SMART criteria, can stifle motivation and creativity, often breeding anxiety and unethical actions. This is linked to the habenula, the brain's disappointment center, which can become overstimulated from relentless goal monitoring, causing ongoing dissatisfaction. Embracing an iterative mindset, however, encourages success through manageable actions and ongoing adaptation.