In From Strength to Strength, Arthur C. Brooks describes his realization that he would become, as he aged, unhappy unless he changed his priorities. The book reviews research that has studied how productivity and success declines due to aging in many fields, from athletics to geology, due to a decline in fluid intelligence, “the ability to reason, think flexibly, and solve novel problems.”
Brooks discusses the concept of “The Second Curve,” which relies upon crystallized intelligence, “the ability to use a stock of knowledge learned in the past.” This second curve increases as one ages, and his key recommendation is that one should move to this second curve at some point in life by finding work that exploits this strength (instead of working harder and becoming unhappy futilely trying to stay successful).
This is difficult, however, because most people don’t want to leave the familiar and are addicted to the successes that they have had previously. He recommends abandoning the desire for worldly successes and then reducing the scope of what one wants. To compensate, one must strengthen one’s relationships with family and close friends who have the same values.
Although Brooks is a Catholic, the book relies on philosophical insights from many traditions around the world. He recommends nurturing an interest in religion (or other spirituality) and spending the time needed to explore and learn about that which is transcendent, for it provides the strength to move to the second curve.
In some ways, moving to the second curve sounds a mid-life crisis, but Brooks states that this change doesn’t have to be a “crisis.” He recommends identifying what you truly want; finding work that is inherently rewarding, interesting, enjoyable, and meaningful; and then making the jump.
He concludes with “seven words to remember”:
Use things. Love people. Worship the divine.
The title refers to a section of Psalm 84:
Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
