In a candid admission, Google co-founder Sergey Brin revealed that retiring was the worst decision he ever made in his professional life, sharing a personal experience that did not unfold as he had imagined and ultimately led him back to the heart of work and intellectual challenges.
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Brin explained that he now feels immense gratitude for still being able to engage in complex mental and intellectual challenges at this stage of his life, viewing work not merely as a professional obligation but as a vital space to maintain mental sharpness and creativity.
An Early Retirement
According to Brin, the story of his retirement dates back to just one month before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, when he decided to step away from work, believing the next phase would allow him time to relax and pursue his longstanding passion for studying physics.
He imagined himself sitting in cafés, reading and studying peacefully away from the pressures of management and daily work. However, reality turned out very differently: cafés closed due to the pandemic, and the idealized picture he had painted of retirement vanished.
A Sense of Stagnation and Mental Decline
Over time, Brin began to feel a sense of stagnation, describing his experience as “spinning in a loop,” and noticed a gradual decline in his mental sharpness, which served as a wake-up call.
He realized that completely stepping away from work had not been the right choice and decided to return to the office, even though it was closed at the time—a move he described as pivotal in restoring balance to his life.
Gradual Return to Google
After several months, as some colleagues began returning to the workplace, Brin started visiting the office intermittently. His involvement gradually increased, spending more and more time at work, particularly on projects related to artificial intelligence.
One of the key outcomes of this return was his contribution to the Gemini project, which later became a cornerstone of Google’s AI strategy.
A Lesson Beyond Google
Sergey Brin’s experience carries a broader message beyond Google: retirement does not always equate to rest or happiness, especially for minds accustomed to challenge, innovation, and continuous work.
For some leaders and entrepreneurs, continuing to work—even at a different pace—can be a mental and psychological necessity rather than a burden, as it is sometimes portrayed.
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