Big goals can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to stay on track

astronaut: Someone trained to travel into space for research and exploration.

attention: The phenomenon of focusing mental resources on a specific object or event.

cognitive: A term that relates to mental activities, such as thinking, learning, remembering and solving puzzles.

computer science: The scientific study of the principles and use of computers. Scientists who work in this field are known as computer scientists.

distraction: Any event or situation that draws someone’s attention away from whatever had been his or her main focus. Distractions can be external events, such as sounds or sights; or they can be internal events, such as thoughts or emotions.

focus: (in physics) The point at which rays (of light or heat for example) converge sometimes with the aid of a lens. (In vision, verb, “to focus”) The action a person’s eyes take to adapt to light and distance, enabling them to see objects clearly. (in behavior) To look or concentrate intently on some particular point or thing.

grit: (in psychology) Passion and perseverance for long-term goals.

interim: An adjective describing some intermediate point in time or place.

long-term memory: The brain’s system for storing, maintaining and recalling information from the past.

neuroscience: The field of science that deals with the structure or function of the brain and other parts of the nervous system. Researchers in this field are known as neuroscientists.

novel: Something that is clever or unusual and new, as in never seen before. (in literature) A work of fiction.

perception: The state of being aware of something — or the process of becoming aware of something — through use of the senses.

psychology: (adj. psychological ) The study of the human mind, especially in relation to actions and behavior. To do this, some perform research using animals. Scientists and mental-health professionals who work in this field are known as psychologists.

recall: To remember. (in commerce) A procedure whereby companies remove particular products from the market (i.e. store shelves) because the products were defective, dangerous or might pose some newfound risk of harm. Or a product that had already been purchased (such as a car or lawn mower) might be recalled so that a manufacturer could fix a problem in it or give people their money back.

rehabilitation: The act of restoring something to its original state. Often called “rehab” for short, the term is used commonly for both physical injuries (such as regaining muscle strength after an accident, for example) and mental problems (such as addiction to drugs, alcohol or other substances).

sanitation: The protection of human health by preventing human contact with our own bodily wastes, through hand washing, use of things like use of toilets or latrines, separation of disposal of wastes from drinking-water sources and water, and cleaning water to rid of disease causing agents disinfecting foods and materials that may be ingested or otherwise enter the body.

social: (adj.) Relating to gatherings of people; a term for animals (or people) that prefer to exist in groups. (noun) A gathering of people, for instance those who belong to a club or other organization, for the purpose of enjoying each other’s company.

technology: The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, or the devices, processes and systems that result from those efforts.

working memory: The ability to hold something in the mind for a short period of time and to adapt it for use, such as hearing a sequence of numbers, then reciting them backwards.