How to get better at anything: Scaffolding

insyed; cozy psychology · Apr 2, 2026 · 4m · transcript

We all have a moment where we sit down, ready to take on everything at once, and freeze. This week I share what my dissertation taught me about learning, growth, and why taking things one step at a time isn't a weakness — it's the science.

In this episode:

Why even the most capable people freeze when they take on too much at once

The zone of proximal development — what it is and why it matters for your everyday growth

How scaffolding reduces the mental weight of complex tasks

What Icarus can teach us about knowing our ceiling

Why starting small isn't giving up — it's building up

Sources:

The…