Peaking Too Early - Why the Most Popular, Most Gifted in Athletics, Most Brilliant in High School Usually Got Left Behind

As most of us were struggling to define who we were and concealing insecurities in high school there were those who dominated. They excelled in all the categories which mattered so much back then. Those ranged from popularity to academic brilliance. And then we probably never heard about them again. 

Recent research on extreme early success by Arne Gullich explains that phenomenon. It's essentially about peaking too early. Gullich is a sports scientist at RPTU University Kaisers-lautern-Landau in Germany. The study appears in Science Daily. An engaging narrative about that is published in January 17 - 23rd 2026 edition of The Economist.

Spoiler Alert: Those not so locked into a single category of high performance usually have the staying power to develop into the achievers of our society. 

The reasons for this are many. They include:

Trying a lot of things instead of honing one skill or identity. In the process, discovering the source of the true genius.

Not burning out.

Avoiding becoming disenchanted because of the tedious demands of maintaining the aura. It can wear a young person out having to always be so extroverted-popular.

Absorbing life on life's terms. There's no insulation of stardom. Great preparation for the ups and downs of reality.

This research gives the okay to what many leaders have done. That's bounce around. From the get-go they were not one-dimensional in focus or in acquiring experience. 

Goldman Sacks head David Solomon started out in management consulting and nurtured his performance ability in music. 

In college chair of elite Wall Street law firm Paul, Weiss Brad Karp considered a career in Congress. He majored in political science. 

Actor Harrison Ford had been a carpenter. 

Walt Disney had been a newspaper editor, before he had been fired from that job.

What I assess is that bouncing around opens perspective. With that comes the confidence that if such and such a bet on how to make a good living doesn't pan out, so try another. No big deal. There's no holding on too tight which erodes everything from drive to energy.

In my intuitive coaching/tarot reading I "give permission" to those knocked out of the box or boxes to try out different ways to earn income. I tried out, briefly, four approaches to what used to be known as a "career" before I fell into what held up wonderfully for 40 years. When that sector collapsed I was at it again, trying out things for a fit.

Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being done in by the “committee” in your head.

Together, we liberate your thinking. Then we change your story. And, unleash success. Meanwhile, we focus on bringing in income. That puts you in a position of strength.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, becoming a solopreneur and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

Don’t give up before the miracle.


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