The word “peak” has made a roaring entrance into the lexicon of English slang over the last few years, especially here on the internet. Sensibly employed to mean “the best” or “the most,” nowadays you’ll hear it used to describe anything but the mise-en-scene of an arthouse film to the flavor of a baseball or music performance.

One of the crucial tasks of brain development during adolescence is to grow and develop the part of the brain needed for executive functioning. This is called the prefrontal cortex. Maturation of executive functioning is a hallmark of adulthood. Some of the markers of adolescence, such as moodiness and impulsivity, occur precisely because the executive functioning center is still maturing.

Even though children’s learning and behavioral difficulties receive the most attention, many adults also struggle with them.

Reaching peak performance is a goal that many students and professionals strive for—whether they are athletes, musicians, second-language learners, or business people. Achieving peak performance, however, requires intentional effort and practice. It doesn’t just happen without preparation and purpose.