When I was feeling burned out in my job and got sick in 2020, I felt #isolated. I feared that if I said anything about, I would look like a failure, and I might even loose my job. I thought there was something uniquely wrong with me. Because of this, I felt I would lose friends and respect. While it is possible that I might lose some false friends or respect, this transition is definitely not unique to me. I am not alone. I started reading, From Strength to Strength, (I am not alone )this week. In it, Arthur (yes, it’s a good name?) C. Brooks, presents the data that EVERYONE’s #fluidintelligence, raw processing power, declines dramatically somewhere between 30 and 50 years old. Things that were easy then, become harder. This transition effects EVERYONE. #Iamnotalone. You are not alone. But it is not all bad. There is another intelligence, #crystalizedintelligence that increases significantly during that same time and wanes MUCH later, if at all. Our raw intellectual smarts drop off, but our wisdom increases. Acquiring new knowledge is harder. How to apply it in context is easier. There are many studies backing this up from athletes to scientists and surgeons. We can deny and resist it, accept it but think our life is over, or pivot. Those that pivot to using their crystalized intelligence have meaningful and happier second halves off life, while those that don’t become increasingly frustrated or despondent, especially if they were defined by there earlier career success, as I was.
As I continue in my transition, I am no longer defined by what I do and am actively exploring other lines of work and meaning that require crystalized intelligence, not fluid. What are the things I am doing? Mentoring, teaching, coaching, advising in many areas of life from my own children, volunteer work, and in business. This is fulfilling and fun. And I am good at it. I seem to simply know things that I would have really stress about saying or deciding before. I will continue in this transition and hope that my second half is not as good as much first, but much better, even if very different. And I know that I am not alone. We are all, or will all go through it, whether we know it or not.
What is your experience? Have you made a change that better fits crystalized intelligence? I think of many of you that have and I understand it much better now. Thank you for showing me the way.
Have a great weekend,
Art
