Desirable Difficulties
Optimally challenging tasks increase long-term learning.
Explanation
UCLA psychologist Robert Bjork discovered a paradox: the conditions that make learning feel difficult in the moment are exactly what make it stick long-term. Easy learning feels good but doesn't last. Just like muscles need resistance to grow stronger, your brain needs to work hard to form lasting memories. Most educational approaches optimize for feeling easy rather than learning effectively.
Real-World Example
Reading highlighted notes: Feels easy, poor retention. Creating notes from memory: Feels hard, excellent retention. Multiple choice: Easy, shallow learning. Essay questions: Hard, deep learning. Clear fonts: Easy reading, poor memory. Slightly hard fonts: Better memory.
How to Apply
Make it harder: Test without notes. Practice with distractions. Mix topics up. Use timer pressure. Generate before consuming. If it feels easy, you're not learning. Aim for 85% success rate—hard enough to struggle, not so hard you quit.