"No quiero ser un aprendiz de por vida no quiero ser parte de una generación perdida."

The essence of the quote gets to the heart of a fear many of us have—spending our whole lives in a state of constant preparation without actually living. The person speaking doesn't want to be stuck always learning and never doing. They don't want to be part of a generation that waits forever to act or achieve their dreams.

Historically, this sentiment might resonate with what's often termed the "lost generation," a label originally pinned to those who came of age during World War I. They were disillusioned by the war and struggled to find meaning in a rapidly changing world. Similarly, today’s generation can feel overwhelmed by the relentless pace of change and the pressure to constantly upgrade their skills. We're bombarded with the message that we should always be learning—new tech, new methodologies, new everything. But without applying what we learn, it can feel like we're running in circles.

Picture Sarah, a 28-year-old graphic designer. She spends her evenings taking online courses on the latest design software, reading industry blogs, and attending webinars. She’s incredibly knowledgeable—but she's still in the same junior position she started in three years ago. Why? Because she’s focused so much on learning that she hasn't taken the risks to apply her skills in meaningful ways. She hasn't pitched a bold new project to her boss or entered any design competitions. Her knowledge is vast, but she’s not using it to propel her career forward. She's stuck, a perennial student, part of a "lost generation" not making their mark.

So, how do you avoid Sarah's fate? You have to balance learning with doing. Sure, keep picking up new skills and knowledge. But don't let that be all you do. Set practical, achievable goals for applying what you learn. If you’re learning a new language, plan a trip where you’ll have to use it. If you’re studying coding, build a real app—no matter how simple. Reflect on what you learn and figure out how to integrate it into your life and work.

Imagine you’re at a fork in the road. One path is well-trodden, marked with signs for courses, degrees, certifications. The other path is less clear—it's the path of action. It’s trickier to navigate and there’s more risk involved, but it’s also where you’ll find the opportunities to really make a difference. Don’t be afraid to take that second path sometimes. It’s where real growth happens.

Let’s consider a relatable scenario. Think about Jack, a young professional who loves photography. He spends hours every week watching tutorials, reading books by famous photographers, and saving up for the best gear. But he never actually goes out and shoots photos. He's waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect equipment, the perfect knowledge. But guess what? That moment never comes. Meanwhile, his friend Lisa, with just a basic camera and far less technical knowledge, is out there every weekend shooting photos, making mistakes, learning from them, and building a portfolio. Lisa’s work gets noticed, and she lands a gig shooting for a local magazine. Jack, despite all his preparation, is left behind.

The lesson? Don't get stuck in the never-ending cycle of preparation. Use what you learn. Take risks. Make mistakes. Create something real. That’s how you avoid being part of a 'lost generation'—by making your mark, not just preparing to.