Ever feel like you're at a crossroads, you know, like in your career or just life in
general?
It's a pretty common feeling.
And today we're going to dive deep into how to navigate that, especially as we get a little
older.
Yeah, it's like that feeling of what's next, like you've accomplished some things, but
then what?
Exactly.
And for this deep dive, we're looking at Arthur Brooks' book from strength to strength.
But what's really interesting is we're taking it through the lens of Joe Coon's YouTube
review.
Yeah, Joe Coon, he's got such a unique perspective on this, right?
Because he actually lived it, went from a high-powered engineering career to, well, YouTube.
That's what I love about his take.
He doesn't just talk about it.
He actually made that shift himself.
And he ties it all back to this idea of two intelligence curves, fluid intelligence and
crystallized intelligence.
Okay, I'm intrigued.
Break those down for me.
What are these curves all about?
Well, I think a lot of us, when we think about intelligence, we assume it's just one thing.
But Brooks argues there are these two distinct types.
And get this, they peak at different points in our lives.
What's fluid intelligence?
Okay, so think of it like this.
It's that quick, sharp, adaptable thinking.
The kind that helps you solve problems on the fly.
Innovate.
It's what a lot of us use to climb the ladder in demanding careers.
So like Joe's engineering background, he talks about how crucial that kind of thinking
was in his early career.
Exactly.
And it's what a lot of people associate with peak performance, right?
Right.
Like that image of the young entrepreneur pulling all-nighters coming up with those brilliant
ideas, it's that go, go, go energy.
Yeah, exactly.
But here's the thing.
It naturally starts to decline, usually somewhere between 35 and 50.
So our brains and we start to slow down just like that.
It's not really about slowing down, more like shifting gears.
Fluid intelligence might decrease.
Crystallized intelligence starts to ramp up.
And that's where it gets really interesting.
Think wisdom.
Experience.
Connecting the dots.
It's less about achieving things on your own and more about contributing to something
bigger.
So less about individual achievement and more about using your experience to guide others.
Guide on, like mentoring, teaching, or even just sharing your insights, like Joe does
on his YouTube channel.
Instead of being the star player, you become the wise coach.
Crystallized intelligence peaks much later in life, like well into our 70s.
Really?
So instead of seeing aging as this decline, we can view it as this opportunity to tap
into a whole new kind of strength.
But how do we actually make that shift?
Joe talks about this idea of jumping curves, right?
What did he mean by that?
Well Brooks really emphasizes that holding onto that fluid intelligence past its prime,
it can actually backfire.
You can end up feeling deflated, even worthless, like you're stuck in past glory.
It's almost like trying to force yourself into an old pair of jeans that just don't
fit anymore.
It's like those athletes who try to compete at the same level they did in their 20s.
Eventually something has to give.
Exactly.
It can be tough to let go, especially when society often prizes youth in those fast,
flashy accomplishments.
But Brooks uses a really interesting example in the book, Charles Darwin.
Darwin, really?
Yep.
Apparently even Darwin struggled with this transition.
He revolutionized our understanding of evolution, super accomplished early on.
But as he got older, it was harder for him to keep up that same pace of groundbreaking
work, and he actually really struggled with that.
I never would guess that.
But it just goes to show you, even the greatest minds need to adapt, right?
Find new ways to contribute as they age.
It's a powerful lesson for all of us.
Yeah, it is.
And that's what makes Jo Koon's story so powerful.
He chose to retire at 54.
I mean, right at the peak of his engineering career.
Right.
I bet a lot of people thought he was crazy.
I'm sure they did.
But he realized he wasn't getting that same fulfillment anymore.
He was craving something different, something more in line with crystallized intelligence.
And that's how he ended up on YouTube, right?
Sharing his knowledge, mentoring others.
What a jump.
It is.
And he actually says he wishes he had read this book earlier.
Things that would have helped him navigate that whole transition with more confidence.
But, you know, he found his way.
It's a great example of how embracing crystallized intelligence can open up this whole new chapter.
And it highlights how important self-awareness is, right?
Recognizing when it's time to shift our focus from those individual achievements to something,
well, bigger.
It's about finding new ways to use our experience to actually make a difference.
And that's where Brooks introduces this really interesting concept, the reverse bucket list.
Oh, yeah, the reverse bucket list.
Now that's a game changer.
Instead of adding things we want to do before we kick the bucket, we actually take things
off the list.
Wait, take things off the list.
How does that work?
If you look at your list and ask yourself, does this really bring me lasting joy?
Does it align with where I am now with crystallized intelligence?
So you're kind of decluttering your goals, getting rid of things that are more about
ego or external validation and focusing on what truly brings joy and connection.
Exactly.
And that often means shifting from accomplishments to service, relationships, meaningful experiences,
things like mentoring, volunteering, spending time with loved ones, maybe pursuing those
creative passions we put on hold for our careers.
And this is where Joe admits he's still working on it.
He's got all these travel plans, places he's always wanted to see.
But he's starting to think, will those really bring him the same deep fulfillment as helping
others through his channel or spending time with his family?
It's making him really examine his priorities, right?
And that's the power of the reverse bucket list.
It makes us question whether our goals actually match up with what we value most at this point
in our lives, because what fulfills us might change over time, right?
This is also fascinating.
It's like we're being given permission to redefine success on our own terms, which I'll
admit can feel a little scary.
I know, right?
But it's also incredibly liberating, because it's not about slowing down or giving up.
It's about evolving, growing, finding those new ways to make a real impact.
So for everyone listening, think about it, where are you on these intelligence curves?
Yeah, are you riding that fluid intelligence wave?
Or are you starting to feel that pull towards something a bit deeper, more aligned with
wisdom and giving back?
It's a question we should all ask ourselves.
And it might surprise you where you land.
It's a journey, though, isn't it?
Like figuring out what really lights us up at this stage of life.
No easy answers there.
It's like we've been given this map, these two intelligence curves, but now we have to
choose our own adventure.
Absolutely.
And like any good adventure, there are going to be challenges along the way.
For sure.
What kind of challenges are we talking about?
Well, Joe talks about how tough it was, you know?
Like feeling scared, worried, second guessing himself.
He was always comparing himself to others.
I could see that.
It's easy to get caught up in those comparisons.
Especially when society keeps telling us that success equals youth and achievement, right?
That constant climb up the ladder.
Yeah, it's like we're supposed to stay on that hamster wheel forever.
But eventually, everyone jumps curves.
Whether they're ready or not, the question is, are you going to jump when you're at your
peak?
Or are you going to wait until you're burned out and disillusioned?
Right.
Jumping with intention, it lets you embrace the next chapter with excitement, not fear.
It's about seeing aging as a transformation, not a decline.
It's a much better way to look at it.
So what can we actually do to embrace this shift towards crystallized intelligence?
Besides reading the book, of course.
Joe highlights a few things that really hit home for me.
First, mentorship.
He said that was always the most fulfilling part of his engineering career.
Passing the torch, right.
Sharing your experience with the next generation.
Exactly.
And it doesn't have to be formal.
It could be just offering advice, volunteering, being a listening ear for someone.
It's about realizing we all have something to offer.
Right.
And Joe also talks about focusing on relationships, both personal and professional.
Because those are the connections that bring true joy.
It's like realizing the real treasures are the people in our lives.
And this is where the reverse bucket list comes in again.
Are the things on your list actually about ego?
Maybe it's time to swap those out with experiences that strengthen those bonds that truly matter.
Instead of climbing Mount Everest, it's about having that family reunion or reconnecting
with old friends.
That's it.
It's about shifting the question from what can I achieve to who do I want to be?
Which leads me to legacy.
What kind of mark do we want to leave behind?
It's a good point.
Remember, it's not about giving up our ambitions or drive.
It's about channeling that energy in a way that aligns with our evolving values.
So it's about finding that sweet spot, right?
Yeah.
Where our passions and experiences meet the needs of the world around us.
When we do that, we unlock a whole new level of fulfillment.
One that's not tied to external achievements, but to a sense of purpose.
It's like realizing our greatest contributions may actually be ahead of us, not behind us.
That's the beauty of it.
Our second half can be even more meaningful and fulfilling than the first.
It's like we're trading in that sports car, you know?
The one we used to race around in.
Now we're opting for something a bit more, well, practical.
Yeah, like a sturdy SUV that can handle a different kind of terrain, but it can still
take us to amazing places.
And we're not alone on this journey, right?
This time, it's about helping others navigate the road too, sharing the map, so to speak.
Exactly.
Because sometimes the most fulfilling destinations are the ones we discover when we're focused
on something bigger than ourselves.
You know, Joe had this really interesting challenge in his video.
He asked viewers to imagine writing their own eulogy, but like today, what would it
say about their life, about the impact they've made?
Whoa.
That's a pretty powerful exercise.
It really makes you think about what truly matters, doesn't it?
It does.
Because at the end of the day, we all have a legacy, right?
Every choice, every interaction, it ripples out.
It's true.
And as we move into the second half, we have the power to shape that legacy with intention.
So what do we want to be remembered for?
Is it the accomplishments, the material things, or is it the connections we made, the wisdom
we shared, the love we gave?
Those are the things that really leave a mark, aren't they?
And maybe writing that eulogy now, it can be that push we need to make some changes,
to shift our focus, to really embrace crystallized intelligence and create a legacy that reflects
what we truly value.
So to everyone listening, take some time to think about your own life, your own impact.
What does that eulogy look like for you right now?
And if you're feeling inspired, maybe even start working on that reverse bucket list.
See what happens.
It's amazing what we discover when we start asking those deeper questions.
And on that note, this has been our deep dive into from strength to strength through the
lens of Joe Coon's insightful review.
We hope you found it thought provoking.
We hope it gave you some things to ponder about your own journey.
Because remember, it's never too late to jump curves and create a second half that's full
of meaning, purpose, and real fulfillment.
Thanks for joining us.