Exploring the power of desirable difficulty
When we think about success, it’s easy to forget how much stress achieving a goal can involve. Success is rarely easy!
This is where the concept of desirable difficulty comes in. The idea that challenges or obstacles, if manageable, can actually lead to greater learning and resilience.
The term, coined by psychologist Robert Bjork, suggests that struggling with something makes us learn more effectively. Science shows that when you push your brain slightly beyond its comfort zone, it adapts by creating new pathways and strengthening existing ones. This makes learning more effective. Essentially, the brain becomes better at handling challenges.
Cognitive effort. When things are tough, your brain works harder, making new connections that improve memory and problem-solving.
Memory consolidation. You’re more likely to retain information when you have to work a little harder for it.
Neuroplasticity. Your brain adapts and becomes more resilient, making future tasks easier.
The difficulty has to be desirable for this concept to work. You have to want to experience the stress as a means to an end — achieving your goal. It’s about choosing the right level of challenge to push your boundaries in a healthy way so you can build mental toughness and sustain peak performance.
So, while it may feel uncomfortable, pushing through challenges leads to long-term benefits. What kind of desirable difficulty will you weave into your day?
Learning, Growth and Change require effort.
Desirable difficulties in classroom learning" - Current Directions in Psychological Science
Making things hard on yourself, but in a good way" - Psychology and Aging