Ray Kroc shared the quote above and concluded with “When youre RIPE, you ROT”. A solid reminder for all of us to keep curious and learning.
On this weeks Most People Dont Academy call we discussed the benefits of having a “GROWTH MINDSET” and how to approach professional and personal life with an eagerness to “get better”.
Michael Jordan was known to be RELENTLESS in his desire to learn and improve. He would often show up earlier and stay later than the rest of the team in order to grow.
Hey there! I’ve been thinking a lot about personal growth lately and there’s this quote that keeps bouncing around in my head – “If you don’t grow you rot.” Pretty intense, right? Ray Kroc, the mastermind behind McDonald’s success, made this phrase famous, and I gotta tell you, it hits different in 2025.
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”
I’ve seen this happen to people (and yeah, I’ll admit, sometimes to myself 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. Think of it like a garden (yeah, I’m going with that metaphor). You don’t see the plants growing day by day, but give it a month, and BAM! – major 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 deal – the world’s not gonna slow down for us. AI’s getting smarter, industries are evolving, and the only way to stay relevant is 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”. I once embarrassingly said to our hotels Director of Finance, “do you know who I am and what I do?”. 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’?
Quote by Ray Kroc: “As long as you’re green you’re growing, as soon” (?) “As long as you’re green you’re growing, as soon as you’re ripe you start to rot.” To see what your friends thought of this quote, please sign up! Ray Kroc — ‘As long as you’re green you’re growing, as soon as you’re ripe you start to rot.’
Who said If you don’t grow you rot?
The popular saying “If you don’t grow, you rot” is widely attributed to Ray Kroc, the American entrepreneur famous for expanding McDonald’s into the world’s largest fast food chain. Though the exact origin is unclear, the quote encapsulates Kroc’s belief in the necessity of constant growth and progress
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.