Albert Brooks was on the Sam Harris podcast recently to discuss his book “Strength to Strength”. He spoke about two different types of intelligence / strengths. He said that one type peaks for most people in their 30s-40s after which which there is an inevitable decline.
I’m familiar with this phenomenon in terms of physical capability. In my 30s, I learned that I had to ease back into a workout regimen after a layoff – otherwise I’d be sore for a week or longer. In my 40s, I could no longer handle the high intensity workouts I’d had been doing for decades without getting injured frequently.
Now in my 50s, I discover more things I cannot handle physically everyday. I’m not complaining. I’m still quite fit and flexible. This is all a natural part of aging.
What I haven’t thought about much was that a similar decline that affects our capacity to learn, to achieve and to work. This is what Brooks wrote about.
He says that one type of intelligence peaks in our 30s-40s and then declines. This type of intelligence is relied on by strivers during the first half of their lives. During this time, we improve, progress and achieve as individual expert doers – athletes, technicians, businessmen, lawyers, craftsmen etc.
At some point, our progress wanes. Inevitably it begins to decline. Outsiders may not notice it, but high achievers will see it in themselves. What used to be easy is more difficult. What used to take little time, requires more time. What was difficult becomes impossible.
Brooks said this decline in strength expresses itself as burnout in people over 50. You no longer want to work 12 or 6 hour days. Maybe you start taking a day off every few weeks or schedule half day Fridays.
He said that the key is to transition to use a different kind of strength/intelligence. Achievers over 50 make good mentors and leaders. They learn to detach from outcomes and hold things loosely.
He and Sam Harris went on to discuss buddhism, philosophy, happiness and a number other “navel gazing” topics which I find somewhat mind numbing.
I considered my own work experiences. I thought after my mid 40s that I was burnt out on work because I had worked so much my entire life. I thought I wouldn’t have been burnt out if I’d chosen a career path that was more aligned to my personality. I thought my burnout was from high pressure stress, sales and quota driven “boom and bust” earnings.
According to Brooks, it was inevitable that I’d need to find a different way to work, measure my success and find satisfaction.
In the past year, I’ve talked to a number of friends and acquaintances over 50 who had similar experiences to me.
They’ve have all made a significant career change (or want to). They are (or were) burnt out.
These were all highly successful, educated, hard working mid career professionals.
Brooks might be onto something. I plan to read his book when my library gets it.