Final answer:
We pursue things we think we're good at due to motivated reasoning and the pleasure our brains derive from engaging in these activities. Our brains' efficiency and preference for habitual behavior reinforce these pursuits, but self-examination is essential to align them with rational thought and personal values.
Step-by-step explanation:
We pursue things we think we're good at because of several neurobiological factors. First, motivated reasoning plays a role; this is a human tendency to adopt beliefs that are desirable to us while dismissing contrary evidence. This instinct is tied to our brain's pleasure centers which release chemicals that make us feel happy when we engage in activities we enjoy or believe we are skilled at, leading to a sense of well-being that can be almost addictive.
Additionally, we are naturally drawn to things we excel at due to an inherent psychological attraction towards mastery. This sense of proficiency often confers a certain pride and positive emotions towards the activity. Our brains are wired to function with efficiency, habitually performing tasks without engaging conscious thought, making it energy-conserving to stick with what we know well. As adaptive inference machines, our brains draw conclusions from evidence, and this is why we often continue doing what we think we're good at; it's an unconscious, effortless process that our survival has depended on throughout evolution.
However, it is crucial to approach our inclinations with self-examination to align our actions with rational thought and our personal values. In doing so, we can understand why we do what we do and ensure that we are pursuing goals that are both fulfilling and grounded in a defensible belief system.