This quote is a call to challenge oneself in the pursuit of personal growth and learning. The “easy stuff” referred to can be any content that doesn’t require much mental effort to understand, like light entertainment or simple reading materials. While these can be enjoyable and relaxing, they don’t stimulate our brains enough to promote growth or learning.
The word “grow” here implies intellectual, emotional, or spiritual development. This growth comes from being challenged, from grappling with complex ideas, and from stepping outside of our comfort zones. It’s akin to the idea that muscles only grow when they are pushed beyond their current limits. The brain, like a muscle, needs to be ‘worked out’ with challenging material to grow and develop.
Applying this idea in today’s world, we can see a clear relevance to our digital age where we are constantly bombarded with easy-to-digest information, entertainment, and news. Social media feeds, for example, are designed to keep us scrolling with a steady stream of simple, engaging content. While these can be entertaining, they often do not contribute to our personal growth. Instead, we might choose to engage with more challenging content, such as reading a thought-provoking book, learning a new skill, or exploring complex topics that interest us.
In terms of personal development, this quote encourages us to continually push ourselves to learn and grow. This could mean choosing to read a challenging book instead of a light novel, enrolling in a course to learn a new skill, or engaging in deep conversations instead of small talk. By pushing ourselves to engage with more challenging material, we can stimulate our brains, broaden our perspectives, and promote personal growth.
