Do the hard things

Our brains adapt most rapidly when faced with novel challenges, not repetitive drilling. Perhaps most importantly, studies on what researchers call “desirable difficulty” show that struggle isn’t a sign that you’re failing. It’s a sign that your brain is forming new neural pathways.

The research shows that instead of collapsing into noise after an interruption, the brain moves through a highly structured recovery arc, following a lawful internal trajectory rather than snapping back into place. What makes this especially notable is the discovery of a coordinated traveling wave that sweeps across the cortex, helping regions that... See more