250 - Is Maturity a Superpower?

Oct 7, 2025

Explore the surprising benefits of maturity, from building resilience in tough work environments to enhancing emotional and cognitive skills. Discover how delaying gratification can lead to greater long-term rewards and how mature teams excel by fostering collaboration. Learn about the neurological evolution of our decision-making abilities and the importance of emotional regulation for workplace satisfaction. Ultimately, maturity empowers you to manage stress, improve relationships, and navigate life more effectively.

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ANECDOTE

Tough Job Shaped Resilience

Jill recounts working at a brutal, high-pressure company that fired people frequently and required constant proving.
That environment forced her to build resilience, organization, and calm problem-solving skills.

INSIGHT

Brain Development Explains Risk

The prefrontal cortex matures in the mid-20s, improving impulse control and planning.
Neurological development explains why younger people take more risks than older adults.

INSIGHT

Maturity Trumps Raw Talent

Emotional maturity reduces drama and preserves energy for work and long projects.
Research shows maturity, not raw talent, predicts who finishes long-term goals.

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"Is Maturity a Superpower?"
In this episode, we explore the surprising upside of growing up. Too often, maturity is painted as dull, restrictive, or something to avoid. But this conversation flips the script. Drawing from personal experiences and psychological insights, we look at how maturity actually boosts productivity, strengthens relationships, and helps you build the life you want.

1. How Tough Work Environments Build Resilience
Through a story about working at an intense, high-pressure job, we see how difficulty can become the training ground for lifelong growth. The skills gained—resilience, problem-solving, and composure—are invaluable.
2. Emotional and Cognitive Maturity
We examine how our brains evolve, especially the development of the prefrontal cortex, and what that means for decision-making, emotional control, and handling stress. Maturity isn’t just about age—it’s a neurological and psychological evolution.
3. Adulting Isn’t All Bad
Paying bills and doing chores are just the surface. Maturity helps you regulate your emotions, build habits, and make decisions that pay off years later.
4. The Power of Delayed Gratification
We talk about why waiting—whether it's saving for a trip or building a career—leads to better outcomes. Mature people trade immediate thrills for future gains.
5. Maturity at Work: From Selfish to Team-Focused
We dig into how mature teams outperform others—not because of raw talent, but because of how they handle mistakes, give feedback, and lower interpersonal friction.
Takeaways:
Maturity is a gift, not a burden. It empowers you to think clearly, respond calmly, and act strategically.
Emotional maturity leads to better productivity and stronger relationships.
Social maturity helps teams thrive through collaboration and shared goals.
Instead of resisting adulthood, embrace the benefits: resilience, planning, better sleep, and more peace.
Personal growth is more about mindset than age. Practicing small steps—like pausing before reacting or reframing failure—can shift everything.
If you’ve ever felt like adulting is a drag, this episode might just change your mind.

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/the-gift-of-maturity-how-growing-up-can-be-the-greatest-life-upgrade/

Jill’s Links
https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com

https://www.youtube.com/@startwithsmallsteps
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
https://twitter.com/schmern
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.