Renaldi Adrian

“Most people die at 25, we just bury them at 75.” Have you heard this quote before? Some of you might be familiar with it, while others are hearing it for the first time. This quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, carries a message about life and growth. But what does it really mean?

Let’s start from the beginning. We begin our education at a very young age, perhaps around 3 to 5 years old, and continue until we earn a bachelor’s degree. Some go further, pursuing master’s or even doctoral degrees.

How does this relate to the idea that people “die” at 25 and are only buried at 75? It often happens that when someone gets their first job in their twenties, they settle into a routine. They work the typical 9 to 5, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s admirable to be hardworking, and I respect the dedication.

However, the world is constantly changing. The demands and needs changes, and those who cannot adapt may find themselves stagnant and when this happens, it’s not because they did something wrong, but because they didn’t do anything!

Working hard and enjoying your weekends is fine, but remember, the organization hire you because you solve problems, reduce costs, or create value for your organization. After a few years, you might seek a raise or promotion. You work harder, avoid taking time off, and put in extra hours. Yet, despite your efforts, the raise doesn’t come. This can be disappointing.

Here’s the key: while working hard for your organization is important, it’s equally crucial to work hard on yourself. To improve your environment, whether it’s your income, network, or habits, you must first improve yourself. This requires continuous learning and self-improvement.

How do you achieve this? The answer is easy , but consistency is is difficult. Keep learning. Read non-fiction books relevant to your growth. Identify your goals and seek out resources that support them. There are also many other learning mediums nowadays such as online and offline courses.

By continually learning, you stay relevant, see opportunities, and become better at solving problems. Acquiring new knowledge and skills introduces novelty to your brain, on learning new things is fun!

Balancing learning by doing with learning by studying is important. Practical experience builds competence, while theoretical knowledge provides wisdom and foresight.

This way, you won’t “die” at 25. Instead, you will keep growing. Learning is a lifelong journey. There is always something new to learn, something relevant to your work or life. As long as the world keeps turning, so should your pursuit of knowledge.