Why Feeling Uncomfortable While Learning Is Actually a Good Thing

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of learning something new—feeling unsure, frustrated, or even a little anxious?

Good news: that discomfort isn’t a sign you’re falling behind.
It’s a sign that your brain is doing exactly what it’s designed to do.

In a powerful episode of the Harvard Business Review podcast, neuroscientist Dr. Mithu Storoni explains what happens inside our brain during the learning process. When we encounter something unfamiliar, our brain immediately registers a knowledge gap—and that triggers a state of alertness.

Your brain doesn’t like uncertainty.
It wants to fill in the blanks. It wants clarity.
That tension you feel? It’s your brain leaning in.

We often associate confusion with weakness or failure. But in reality, that tension is a sign that your brain is engaged, actively working to reduce the gap between what you know and what you’re learning.

Here’s the best part:
When you pair that natural alertness with curiosity—when you want to understand, explore, or figure something out—your brain rewards you with dopamine. That’s the chemical that lights up your motivation, sharpens your focus, and builds emotional resilience.

In other words, curiosity turns discomfort into momentum.

So the next time you’re learning something new and it feels awkward, hard, or unfamiliar—don’t panic.
You’re not stuck.
You’re not behind.

You’re in the zone where real growth happens.
You’re literally rewiring your brain.

The most effective professionals don’t avoid that discomfort. They welcome it.
They know it’s the bridge between who they are now and who they’re becoming.

So:
Keep learning.
Stay curious.
And trust your brain—it’s built for this.

Inspired by Dr. Mithu Storoni on the HBR Podcast: “Training Your Brain to Work More Effectively.”