Hello! Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about growing as a person, and this quote keeps going through my mind: “If you don’t grow, you rot.” Pretty intense, right? Ray Kroc, the genius behind McDonald’s, made this phrase famous, and I have to say, it sounds different now than it did in 1925.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Let me break it down for you In this crazy-fast world we’re living in, especially with AI and tech evolving at lightning speed, standing still is basically moving backward Here’s what I mean
The Cold Hard Truth About Growth
- Technology waits for no one: Just look at how AI is transforming everything from PR to fast food ordering
- Skills have expiration dates: What worked yesterday might be obsolete tomorrow
- Comfort zones are danger zones: The moment you get too comfortable, you start falling behind
Signs You’re Starting to “Rot”
This has happened to other people and, okay, sometimes it happens to me too. Here are the warning signs .
- You’re using the same skills you had 2 years ago
- Your industry knowledge is getting dusty
- You keep saying “that’s how we’ve always done it”
- New challenges make you anxious instead of excited
- You’re watching others zoom past you in their careers
How to Keep Growing (And Avoid the Rot)
1. Embrace Continuous Learning
- Take online courses (even quick ones count!)
- Read industry reports
- Follow thought leaders on LinkedIn
- Join professional communities
2. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
- Volunteer for new projects
- Learn that scary new tool everyone’s talking about
- Share your knowledge (teaching others helps you grow too!)
3. Stay Current with Industry Trends
Quick Tip: Set aside 15 minutes each morning to read about your industry. It's like having coffee with your career!4. Build Your Network
- Connect with peers
- Find a mentor
- Be a mentor (yes, you’ve got something to teach too!)
Real Talk: What Happens If You Don’t Grow?
Let’s be honest here – the consequences ain’t pretty:
- Your skills become outdated
- Younger colleagues start passing you by
- Job security? What job security?
- Your confidence takes a hit
- Innovation becomes intimidating instead of exciting
The Growth Mindset Hack
Here’s something I’ve learned: Growth isn’t about massive changes. It’s about small, consistent steps forward. It’s kind of like a garden, if you will. The plants don’t seem to be getting bigger every day, but after a month, there’s a big difference.
Daily Growth Checklist:
- Learn one new thing
- Connect with one new person
- Try one new approach
- Share one piece of knowledge
- Reflect on one lesson learned
Making It Happen (The Practical Stuff)
- Morning Routine: Spend 15 mins learning something new
- Weekly Goals: Set one growth goal each week
- Monthly Review: Track your progress and adjust
- Quarterly Big Moves: Plan larger learning projects
The Bottom Line
Look, nobody’s perfect at this growth thing. We all have days (or weeks. or months. ) where we feel stuck. But here’s the thing: the world won’t stop for us. Industries change, and AI is getting smarter. To stay relevant, you have to keep growing.
Remember what Kroc said about being green and growing? Well, I’d rather be a little green and learning than ripe and rotting. Wouldn’t you?
Your Next Steps
- Pick ONE area where you need growth
- Find ONE resource to help you grow in that area
- Take ONE action today
- Rinse and repeat tomorrow
Quick Action Items:
- Subscribe to an industry newsletter
- Join a relevant LinkedIn group
- Schedule a coffee chat with someone you admire
- Sign up for that course you’ve been eyeing
Final Thoughts
Growing isn’t always comfortable, but neither is rotting. And trust me, I’ve seen both sides. The choice is pretty clear – keep growing, keep learning, keep pushing forward.
What’s your next growth move gonna be? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
P.S. Remember, being “green” just means you’re still learning. And that’s exactly where you want to be!
Now go forth and grow, my friends!
#PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #NeverStopLearning #GrowthMindset
LEARNING #1: Strive to be BOTH Teacher and Student
Early in my career (about 3 years in), I thought I knew more than I actually did. I was trying to “own” the attitude I should have “rented”. “Do you know who I am and what I do?” I asked our hotel’s Director of Finance in a way that made me feel bad. Even today, it is still hard to admit. She has so much to teach me and initially I wasnt ready to be a student.
LEARNING #4: Having a growth MINDSET, starts with YOU
And your ability to “set you mind”. Nothing can start unless it happens in the mind first. It is not what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you. With a growth mindset, you are not stuck, you have no barriers, and the world is your oyster. Love yourself, start with you, prioritize you first, make yourself good first.
Bad Flamingo – Forgiveness Don’t Grow on Trees
FAQ
What if you don’t grow you rot?
“If you don’t grow, you rot” emphasizes growth’s necessity for enduring success. Stagnation leads to decay. Ongoing personal and professional development prevents stagnation through constant learning. Growth expands potential, builds employability and fuels innovation. Stagnation has the opposite effects.
Do you rot if you’re Green?
If you’re green you grow, if you’re ripe you rot! If you’re green you grow, if you’re ripe you rot! Executive General Manager – PERSOLKELLY the leading workforce solutions provider in APAC. “When you are green, you grow. When you are ripe, you rot!”.
What does Ray Kroc say ‘as long as you ripe you start to rot’?
Ray Kroc said, “As long as you’re green, you’re growing; as soon as you’re ripe, you start to rot.” Sign up to see what your friends thought of this quote by Ray Kroc: “As long as you’re green, you’re growing, and as soon as you’re ripe, you start to rot.” ’.
Who said If you don’t grow you rot?
Many people say that the famous American businessman Ray Kroc said, “If you don’t grow, you rot.” Kroc is known for making McDonald’s the biggest fast food chain in the world. The exact source of the quote is unknown, but it perfectly captures Kroc’s belief in the need for constant progress and growth.
Are you dying if you’re not growing?
If you’re not growing, you’re dying, according to Mary Steenburgen. She adds, ‘No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man’. You are remembered for the rules you break. Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.
When you are green you grow and ripe you rot?
“When you are green, you grow. When you are ripe, you rot!” I’ve been thinking about this quote after a recent discussion with a mentor and former CEO of mine who referred to this concept almost every week in my time working with her.