8 Reasons to Do Things You Don’t Do More Often

We live in a culture that encourages specialization. “Find your strength and cultivate in it” is a common advice we hear from childhood. As a result, many of us avoid doing things we don’t do well in instead of seeing them as opportunities for growth. However, modern brain science and developmental psychology offer a different view: our “weak spots” can be the most fertile breeding ground for personal development.
Overcoming difficulties is not just a way to learn a new skill. It is a fundamental mechanism of brain development, strengthening the character and expanding the boundaries of your personality. When we avoid what we do badly, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to become more holistic people.

In this article, we explore eight science-based reasons why you should regularly engage in what you do poorly, and how to turn your weaknesses into a source of strength and satisfaction. Get ready to challenge your comfort zone and open up new horizons.
1. Neuroplasticity: Your brain grows through overcoming
For a long time it was believed that the adult brain does not change much. Today, neuroscientists have proven that this is not true: the brain has an amazing ability to transform throughout life due to the property of neuroplasticity.
When you do things that are difficult, your brain actively forms new neural connections. Studies show that it is the overcoming of difficulties, not the repetition of already learned actions, that stimulates the most intense neurogenesis and strengthening of synaptic connections.
“The brain is like a muscle. When you load it with tasks that are difficult for you, it becomes stronger. If you only do what you already know all the time, the brain does not receive enough incentives to develop.” Dr. Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University

Neuroimaging studies show that when learning new complex skills, vast areas of the brain are activated, including the prefrontal cortex responsible for decision-making and planning. This enhanced neural activity leads to structural changes in gray matter and myelination of nerve fibers, which improves information processing speed and cognitive function in general.
2. Building a Growth Attitude: Getting Stronger Through Weaknesses
Psychologist Carol Dweck identifies two types of thinking: fixed thinking and a growth mindset. Fixed-thinkers believe that their abilities are unchanging, leading to difficulty avoidance. On the contrary, growth-minded people see challenges as opportunities for development.
Regularly faced with what you are not good at, you cultivate a growth attitude. You learn to see failure not as evidence of your inability, but as an integral part of the learning process.
Research shows that people with a growth mindset exhibit higher resilience to failure, cope better with stress, and achieve greater success in the long run.


3. Overcoming Fear of Imperfection: The Path to Freedom
Many people avoid doing things they don’t do because of perfectionism and fear of others’ opinions. This fear can severely limit our lives, narrowing the range of activities and opportunities for self-expression.
Psychological studies confirm that regular practice in areas where you feel insecure allows you to gradually desensitize this fear. Each time anxiety decreases and the feeling of freedom grows.
When you deliberately put yourself in the position of a beginner, you learn to accept imperfection as part of the path. It develops emotional resilience and authenticity, allowing you to overcome the “impostor syndrome” and live a fuller life.
4. Cognitive flexibility: new perspectives through difficulties
Cognitive flexibility – the ability to adapt to new situations and change the approach to solving problems – is considered one of the key skills of the twenty-first century. Studies show that overcoming difficulties most effectively develops this skill.
When you’re faced with something that’s difficult, you’re forced to look for alternative approaches, experiment, and go beyond your usual thought patterns. This trains your ability to see things from different perspectives.
People with high levels of cognitive flexibility perform better at solving complex problems, thinking creatively, and adapting to change. They tolerate uncertainty and stress more easily, which is especially important in today’s rapidly changing world.

5. Discovering Hidden Talents: Unexpected Opportunities
History has seen many examples of people discovering their greatest talents in areas that at first seemed insurmountable. Albert Einstein had difficulty speaking as a child, and Thomas Edison was deemed "too stupid to learn" by his teachers.
By doing things that are hard to do, you can discover hidden abilities that you didn’t even know existed. A study conducted at the University of Chicago found that many successful careers began with a period of significant difficulties and setbacks that led to unexpected discoveries.
In addition, it is often in the process of overcoming difficulties that a person develops unique approaches that become his competitive advantage. Your unique path to mastery, including all the obstacles you have overcome, can be your strength.
6. Strengthening Emotional Intelligence Through Vulnerability
Emotional intelligence – the ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions and those of others – is considered a key success factor in today’s world. Research shows that one of the most effective ways to develop emotional intelligence is to regularly put yourself in a vulnerable position.
When you take on something that doesn’t work out well, you inevitably encounter feelings of discomfort, frustration, and even shame. By learning to manage these emotions, you develop a deeper understanding of your emotional world.
“Only those who know how to be vulnerable and accept their imperfections can truly empathize with others. It is in moments of difficulty that we learn empathy and compassion. – Brene Brown, Vulnerability Researcher


7. Expanding Your Identity: Who You Can Become
Psychologists note that our identity – the idea of ourselves and our abilities – often limits our development. If you consider yourself “not a mathematician,” “not a creative person,” or “not an athlete,” you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
By regularly doing things that don’t work well, you challenge your limiting beliefs and push the boundaries of your identity. Research shows that this process of redefining identity has a profound impact on personal development.
Many people find that their "I can't" actually meant "I haven't tried enough yet." Every time you step over the “I can’t,” your identity becomes more flexible and voluminous.

Identity expands gradually, from “I don’t know how to draw” to “I learn to draw,” to “I paint,” and finally to “I am an artist.” This process is applicable to any area of life, opening up unlimited opportunities for personal development.
8. Developing Humility and Empathy: Understanding Through Experience
In a culture of achievement, we often lose sight of the value of humility—the ability to recognize our limitations and learn from others. Regular experiences of ineptitude and awkwardness in learning new skills teach us a deeper understanding of other people.
Studies show that people who often put themselves in the position of a beginner show higher levels of empathy and tolerance. They are more aware of the difficulties of others and more inclined to provide support.
This process is especially important for leaders and teachers. Periodically returning to the experience of ineptitude, they retain the ability to understand the experiences of beginners and create more effective learning and support systems.
Conclusion: The courage to be imperfect
Doing what is bad takes courage. It means consciously choosing discomfort, awkwardness, and the possibility of failure. However, as we have seen, it is this pathway that leads to the most profound and meaningful changes in our personality and neuroscience.
Start small. Set aside 15-20 minutes a day to develop a skill you find challenging. Keep a journal of your progress, noting not only improvements in the skill itself, but also changes in your attitude to difficulties and failures.
Remember, the goal is not to become an expert at everything, but to develop a more flexible mindset, expand your limits and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. In this sense, the process is even more important than the result.
Cultivate the courage to be imperfect. As the philosopher Epictetus said, “Difficulties show people.” So when a difficulty comes, remember that God, like a coach, pushed you against a tough opponent.” And that opponent is your own fear of imperfection.

Glossary
Neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to change its structure and function throughout life in response to learning and experience.
Neurogenesis
The process of the formation of new neurons in the brain, which can occur in adulthood.
myelination
Formation of myelin sheath around nerve fibers, which improves the rate of transmission of nerve impulses.
Growth setting
A concept developed by psychologist Carol Dweck, describing the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning.
Cognitive flexibility
The mental ability to switch between different concepts or adapt to new situations by finding alternative solutions.
Impostor syndrome
A psychological phenomenon in which a person cannot admit their achievements and experiences a constant fear of being exposed as a “fraudster”.
Emotional intelligence
The ability to recognize, understand and manage your own emotions and those of others.
Desensitization
A psychological process in which repeated exposure to a stressor reduces the emotional response to it.