Choosing Your Chapters: Aligning Life's Content with Windows of Opportunity

In the narrative of life, each chapter presents its own unique window of opportunity. From the plasticity of our brains to the timing of entrepreneurial ventures, reproductive choices and even the fleeting moments of childhood, understanding and synchronizing with these windows is fundamental to maximize your happiness.

Embracing Neuroplasticity:

One of the most fascinating aspects of the human brain is its plasticity—the ability to adapt and rewire itself in response to experiences and learning. Research suggests that there are critical periods of plasticity during childhood and adolescence when the brain is particularly receptive to new information and skills. The research on this is still evolving, but we can retain that the rate of formation of new synapses peaks in the first 5 years of life and then gradually reduces until about age 17. Variety of synapses also matters; it is relatively low at a young age but increases until reaching a plateau in adulthood (about 20 to 35 years of age) and then slowly declines again. Einstein published four of his groundbreaking papers at age 26, right in the middle of that plateau.

This is a life chapter for adolescents and young adults to harness: their school and study years are the best time to challenge themselves on the hardest mathematical, scientific and language concepts, in order to make maximal use of their brain plasticity.

However, this doesn't mean that learning stops as we age. A few areas of the brain have been shown to create synapses also later in life. Such as the hippocampus, in charge of navigation and memory, and the olfactory abilities. And there may be more areas, which have not been proven yet.

However, many core cognitive abilities (commonly referred to as fluid intelligence), including speed of processing, working memory, long-term memory, and reasoning decline over age, even in a highly educated sample, while knowledge (crystallized intelligence) remains invariant, or even increases with age:

Park and Bischof name a few ways we can slow the age-related decline: education, high literacy, engaging work, and maintenance of an active, engaged lifestyle in late adulthood. Aerobic exercise can delay reduction in the prefrontal cortex, an area maximally sensitive to age-related shrinkage, and playing spatial navigational games can have a similar protective effect. A good example of active lifestyle, the Experience Corps intervention (a program where older adults engage in support and literacy activities for elementary teachers) showed an increase in prefrontal activity as well as an increase in executive function.?

As we navigate through life, it's essential to recognize and capitalize on these windows of plasticity. Whether it's picking up a new language, learning to play a musical instrument, or delving into a new field of study, embracing lifelong learning ensures that we continue to expand our horizons and enrich our lives.

Likewise, it is essential you protect your windows from adverse environments. When you feel your brain is wasted somewhere, not challenged but rather used up in drudgery – it is time to move and move quickly.

Timing Your Entrepreneurial Journey:

I missed the best window. I have many friends who didn’t and who would bestow this advice: you want to found your first start-up in your 20s.?

This is a time when you have no family obligations, time-wise or financially, and when you are able to take risks. In your 20s, you may even have some parental support available, which would be less obvious in your 30s or later.? This is also an age where your fluid intelligence is still in full swing. You want to harvest the fruits of that intelligence yourself rather than letting someone else harvest it.

You may have seen the famous NBER paper that shows the average age of the successful founder is 45. That is quite right, but many of these founders are already on their 2nd or 3rd enterprise. They did originally found earlier.

So this is a window for young adults in their 20s and early 30s to seize. That said, there is of course value in experience and wisdom gained over time and the entrepreneurial journey is not bound by age but by passion, resilience, and seizing the right opportunities when they arise.

Navigating Reproductive Windows:

In the realm of biology, there exists a reproductive window—a finite period during which fertility is at its peak. For those who wish to start a family, understanding and respecting this window is paramount. Societal pressures and personal aspirations can sometimes lead to conflicts between career pursuits and family planning.

Modern science allows us to extend this window. But you want to ask yourself if you want to subject your own natural deadlines to a ‘system’ or a treadmill you never chose. I would argue, choose your environment and your career in a way to harmonize with your own needs and with your relationships. Not the other way round.

Cherishing Moments of Childhood:

Childhood, with its boundless curiosity, innocence, and wonder, is a precious chapter in life that eventually comes to an end. As parents and caregivers, it's essential to recognize the fleeting nature of these formative years.

Spending quality time with children, nurturing their growth, and creating lasting memories becomes increasingly significant as childhood gives way to adolescence and adulthood. While the demands of daily life may sometimes pull us in different directions, prioritizing these moments ensures that we make the most of this precious chapter. Remember, you say good- bye to your child at that age every day.

In the tapestry of life, each chapter presents its own unique window of opportunity. By recognizing and aligning with these windows—whether they pertain to learning, entrepreneurship, family, or personal growth—we can craft a narrative that is rich, fulfilling, and reflective of our deepest values and aspirations. So, as you turn the pages of your life, remember to choose your chapters wisely and embrace opportunities while they last.

Sincerely,?

Rebekka

P.s. “Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.” (Harvest the day and believe little in tomorrow.) — Horace, Odes Book I