"L'homme qui voit le monde à 50 ans de la même manière qu'à 20 ans a gaspillé 30 ans de sa vie."

Life is all about growth. If you’re seeing the world the same way at 50 as you did at 20, it means you haven’t grown, learned, or evolved. That’s a serious loss because it’s all those experiences that teach us, shape us, make us who we are.

Think about it. When we’re 20, we're bursting with energy and idealism, but we don’t have the wisdom that comes with years of lived experience. By 50, you should have encountered challenges, faced setbacks, celebrated triumphs, and gained insights. Those years are filled with lessons. If your worldview hasn’t shifted through all that, you've essentially thrown away decades of potential growth.

Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer, said this. He wasn't just a sports icon—he was a social activist, a thinker. Ali understood that life is a journey of constant learning. His own life was a testament to change and growth, evolving from a brash young champion to a thoughtful, wise elder statesman.

Imagine a person who started working at a company right out of college. At 20, they’re a fresh graduate, brimming with theories and textbook knowledge. They believe in rigid structures and clear-cut paths to success. By 50, after three decades in the workforce, you’d expect them to have a more nuanced understanding. They’ve seen projects fail despite meticulous planning, witnessed the importance of adaptability, and learned the value of soft skills like empathy and communication. If they still cling to their original, rigid views, they’ve missed out on a wealth of valuable lessons.

So, how do you apply this wisdom? Embrace change. Be open to new ideas and experiences. Don’t shy away from challenges—they’re opportunities to learn. Reflect regularly on your beliefs and attitudes. Are they evolving? Are you becoming more understanding, more insightful? If not, it might be time to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Let’s ground this with a relatable story. Picture Jane, a high school teacher. At 20, she’s fresh out of college and sees the world in black-and-white terms. Discipline is paramount, and there’s a strict right and wrong way to teach. Over 30 years, she encounters students from diverse backgrounds, each with unique needs and challenges. She learns that flexibility and empathy often achieve more than strict adherence to rules. If, at 50, she still insists on her 20-year-old methods, she’s not doing justice to her students or herself. But if she’s adapted—incorporating new teaching methods, understanding the importance of mental health, and connecting with her students on a personal level—she’s utilized those 30 years to truly become a better educator.

So, don't be afraid to let your worldview evolve. It’s not a sign of inconsistency but of growth. Life’s too short to remain stagnant—embrace the journey of change.