Positively Fifth Street

My reading pace had recently slowed because of 1) being overwhelmed with work and 2) my vain attempt to continue force-feeding myself business books. Regarding #1, work is inevitable so it's understandable that many times I'd rather just watch CELEBRITY POKER SHOWDOWN on cable than read Jim Collins. I've always been that way and I think most people are: you get tired and you need to unwind.

But, realization #2 is a symptom of a deeper personal issue. This is, a lot of times I don't know when to stop. I just keep pushing. My wrists from typing too much, my knees from running/biking/hooping too much (while 20 pounds overweight!), a bad back from cramming into airplane seats too often, my burnout at 'da BEAS' from overwork, and burnout from consuming every business book around (Except for that Michael Porter crap which just puts me to sleep and never gets to a practical point!).

You get older and your body just can't do some things anymore. The body peaks and begins an inexorable decline, The exact time is different for everyone. For me, it is noticable between 27 and (almost) 30. A maturity comes with that downslope -- an added sense of patience that you develop from your body's capabilities peaking and then beginning a steady decline. You understand that you have limits.

When I interviewed with a couple of companies in California at the age of 27, they were very specific: I was too young. "Our ideal candidate is 29-31, married and owns a home," they said. I didn't like it much at the time and really didn't understand. What does age have to do with the ability to make good decisions/be smart?

I get it now.