From Strength to Strength - an important read

I rarely review books in this blog, but Brook’s From Strength to Strength informed and moved me. I only wish I had read it 10 or 20 years ago. (Might have been tough since it was just recently published.)

Like many folks who had a successful career with some degree of public recognition, I still find myself at a bit of a loss now in retirement. While I get a great deal of satisfaction from volunteering, traveling, participating in service and interest groups, and having time with family, I often miss work and my side gigs of professional speaking and writing. I believe my last conference speaking gig was March of 2020, the very month the COVID virus began shutting down a lot of activity. My last professional article was published in June of 2019. I stopped writing my last column in 2015 after 20 years of continuous publication.

Better a “has been” than a “never was”, I have consoled myself. But it is sometimes cold comfort.

Brook’s book is written for what he calls “strivers” - those who pushed themselves to be successful in their careers, but then find themselves becoming less successful as they move past middle age. This is a must read for anyone who has had a job with responsibility and growth - for anyone who has strived at a career. *

The author compellingly argues we lose our "fluid" intelligence (creativity) quite early and then must figure out how to change to using our "crystalized" intelligence (wisdom). Using research, religious and philosophical references, and practical advice, Brooks explains how to move from concrete rewards like money, notoriety, and career advancement to the psychological rewards of inner peace, better interpersonal relationships, and one’s roles as a mentor/teacher, recognizing this “jump” is not an easy one.

On reflection, I believe I was personally transforming long before retirement, always valuing family, friends and recreation, not just work and the rewards it brought. I suspect my “jump” was not as far as it would be for many.

The book doesn’t offer any easy solutions to making this transition nor give concrete examples of people who successfully changed, but it was helpful to me to read the theory and learn that my situation is far from uncommon.

Still processing its message, but I encourage anyone struggling to find a new meaning in retirement to read it as well.

*The book on Goodreads has also collected a number of negative reviews, with an “elite” audience often cited as a criticism. Be warned.

Comments

[Joy]

Thanks for this post. I’ve been struggling greatly in this area. I need to read this book.
Joy

[Terry]

I totally understand. The challenge is to accept that we made great contributions to our profession, but now have to accept that is the new and younger generation that must make decisions and lead. Enjoyed your post