 I've never been a suboptimal performer. This is this guy's excuse, right? This is his excuse. If you're a suboptimal performer, you tend to experience a suboptimal lifestyle. It's easier just to give up as a result. Let's say you're a research scientist who, after 10 years, never produces any relevant research and finds no cures. Instead of going on with failure, you decide to give up and get out of the game. Early retirement is like coward's way out.