PFC: Prefrontal cortex, an area of the outer layer of your brain (cortex) that lies behind your forehead.

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for managing and orchestrating conscious behaviors of all other parts of your brain. It’s our PFC that enables us to reason, plan, and make sense of the world.

Unfortunately, the PFC makes up only 4 to 5 percent of our brain mass. It’s the newest in evolutionary terms and it’s the latest to develop as our bodies mature. That means it’s easily bullied by more primitive parts of our brain—particularly our limbic system—where deeply embedded instincts, habits, and emotional responses hold sway. The good news? Just knowing how your brain works makes it easier to quiet the bullies and give yourself more choices in how you respond to surprises, setbacks, and, of course, life’s joys.

I blog about the stuff of daily life and how differently I see the world when I pay attention to my brain — and how creating that awareness every day can help me be happier, more productive, and more fun to be around.