One of the important principles in Neuroscience is that of summation. Often, when neurons are depicted in pop culture, a single neuron will fire once, the next neuron will be activated, and then the person’s eyes will bulge and they turn into a big green rage monster. In reality, one neuron firing one time generally isn’t enough for the next neuron to activate; instead, it requires summation.

There are two types of summation: temporal and spatial. Temporal summation is when a single neuron fires rapidly in succession, while spatial summation is when multiple neurons fire at once. In either case, it’s only when enough summation occurs that the next neuron is activated and something actually happens.

This same principle seems to apply outside of the brain as well. We tend to think that we can hear something one time and we’ll remember it, or that it will only take one motivational speech to get us out the door and chasing our dreams. In reality, a single exposure to an idea or influence generally isn’t enough to affect us deeply; instead, it requires summation.

When we want to achieve a goal or change a habit we need to provide summation: we need to be reminded throughout the day, and from several sources. Set alarms, put notes around the house, talk to people about it. Only when we have enough exposure to an idea or influence will it begin to change us, and only then will we be able to make lasting progress.

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