I feel that you definitely could say this of art like drawing or writing, but not software. Programming is a tool I use to meet an end. I decide I want to have this program, spend a week writing it, and have the program. That's using the skills I already have. I don't care how much I improve, because to achieve the result I wanted I didn't need to hit the books and practice for a month, improve, and come back again.
Maybe that's why I find it so hard to get into art.
I used to say "I can't draw", then I sat down and spent about five hours looking at how to draw books, working through the basics, over the course of about three weeks.
Now I can draw, repeatedly, to a certain standard. If I want to learn more I could, but it isn't strictly necessary.
> I decide I want to have this program, spend a week writing it, and have the program.
How do you decide you want 'this program'? Why not a slightly different program, or the same functionality implemented with a different approach. It boils down to research and learning, especially for non-cookie cutter projects.
Maybe that's why I find it so hard to get into art.