Use It or Lose It : A Life Lesson Worth Remembering

Let me share a simple moment that taught me a powerful life lesson.

It was a quiet Monday morning. I was sitting in the corridor of a hotel, waiting for my departure. Nothing seemed special at first, just a calm moment before my next journey. But then, a thought hit me:

“Am I really using what I’ve learned in life?”

I paused. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized this was a question worth answering.

Over the years, I’ve read many books, spiritual ones like the Bible, and others focused on personal development. I’ve been part of seminars and trainings, both as a participant and even as a speaker. I’ve picked up so much wisdom and knowledge along the way. But suddenly, I had to ask myself:

“Am I applying what I know? Or am I just carrying information I never use?”

And then, a story from the Bible came to mind, the one about the master who gave his servants talents (a form of money). He gave five to one, two to another, and one to the last. The first two servants used what they were given and doubled it. But the last one hid his talent in the ground and did nothing with it. 

When the master came back, he rewarded the ones who grew what they had. But the one who did nothing? He lost even the little he had.

That story carries a deep truth:

• What you don’t use, you eventually lose.

Then I remembered a quote from one of the most powerful personal development books I’ve ever read:

Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. He said,

“Knowledge is not power (only potential power). Applied knowledge is power.”

Let that sink in for a moment.

It’s not about how many books you’ve read, or how many ideas you’ve heard. It’s about what you do with what you know. Are you using your skills? Are you building on your experiences? Are you growing your gifts?

I looked at my watch, it was time to go. But I walked away with a renewed mindset.

• In life, if you don’t use what you know, you’ll lose it. But if you use it, grow it, and keep learning, you multiply it. That’s how success is built.

So here's my coaching message to you today:

Stop waiting. Start applying.

Go back to that book you loved. Revisit that idea you never followed through on. Refresh that skill. Share what you know.

You already have what it takes, you just need to use it.

And when you do, you’ll be amazed how far it takes you.

See you on the next step of the journey.