Intelligence is about building up continually improving mental models of the world and correcting false assumptions as you find them. As you have more models and modules you can solve more problems and understand more things. For example, when you can cross pollinate modules from psychology to shed new light on business problems. Some people learn faster than others, but intuitively or unconsciously improving your models is more important than building them quickly.

Think of it like winning a race. A fast engine is important, but being a great navigator is a stronger competitive advantage, and is something you can control. Good navigators know what to pay attention to, they know how to read a map, they know what roads are short cuts, what roads are windy, what roads are dead ends and what roads are breathtakingly scenic.

Winning your own race of intellectual fulfillment is less about your engine—we’ve all got relatively similar equipment— and more about your ability to drive the car.