Some lessons have to be experienced before they can be understood

Some Lessons Have to Be Experienced Before They Can Be Understood - Michael Batnick.

This quote I came across in The Psychology of Money really struck a chord with me. Although the book focuses on finance, the truth of this statement extends far beyond it, resonating in all areas of life.

Perhaps that’s why I have this tendency to throw myself into the fire. I’ve realized over time that real growth comes from lived experiences—the kind you can’t fully grasp until you’ve walked through them yourself. Whether it’s stepping out of my comfort zone or taking a leap into the unknown, I’ve found that the most valuable lessons often lie on the other side of risk and uncertainty.

Experience, after all, is life’s greatest teacher.

These weren’t always deliberate choices; often, they were fuelled by a fire within—a vision of the life I wanted to create for myself. Driven by ambition, I found myself in scenarios where backing out wasn’t an option. Whether I succeeded or stumbled, the experience I gained was invaluable, shaping me in ways nothing else could.

A Leap of Faith

After my daughter was born, I took a brief break from work. Returning to India, I rejoined my previous organisation in the same role and pay package. Growth seemed stagnant until I was entrusted with heading the Spanish language department. Still, something within me longed for more—a vision of creating something that was entirely mine.

In 2019, I founded BetterMe Academy, the name inspired by my brother's comparison to "Khan Academy." BetterMe initially focused on soft skills training, I hoped to explore a space outside Spanish/Foreign language education with more demand and better financial prospects. Balancing my role as department head and my budding venture was challenging but exhilarating.

Then came 2020, and with it, the unexpected disruption of COVID-19. Amid the uncertainty, my co-founder and I pivoted swiftly. Recognising an opportunity, we launched foreign language classes for children within a week of lockdown. With no clear business model, we relied on instinct, hard work, and resilience. Our first week brought 24 enrollments; within months, we were running multiple batches, expanding from Spanish to German, English, and later, French. By 2021, we had over 100 students and a curriculum entirely of our own making.

Lessons from Risks and Setbacks

In late 2021, I proposed expanding beyond live classes into a scalable product. Conversations with preschool owners revealed their struggle to find trained foreign language teachers. We saw an opportunity: a program that enabled any homeroom teacher to teach a foreign language using our resources. "If they can teach math and science, why not a foreign language?" we argued. The idea clicked, and before we even had the content ready, we secured commitments from two preschools.

But not all risks pay off smoothly. In 2022, we partnered with the founder of a marketing agency to launch a B2C brand in foreign language education for children. It seemed promising at first but soon felt misaligned with our values. Ending the partnership was a painful decision, one that cost us financially and emotionally. Yet, it was a turning point. I learned the importance of trusting one’s instincts and beliefs—if something feels off, it probably is.

Growth and Transformation

By 2023, BetterMe Academy became LinguBee, evolving into a comprehensive language-learning enterprise. We launched 21 textbooks in French, German, and Spanish used across multiple schools in India; conducted international study tours, and provided teacher training. Our preschool program gained momentum, and we reached a comfortable rhythm.

But comfort, I’ve learned, is the enemy of growth. In 2024, a new opportunity knocked—an initiative to make a massive impact on healthcare support, not for hundreds, but for millions. This mission felt deeply personal and aligned with my purpose. It led to the birth of BorderPlus, a project that marks the next chapter in my journey.

Infusing Life into Life

Until 2019, my life felt like a flatline, predictable and uninspired—much like a dead person’s ECG. Since then, every year has brought new challenges and adventures, infusing vitality into my existence. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.

Challenges are what give life its pulse. They stretch us, mould us, and teach us lessons that no book or advice ever could.

“Some lessons have to be experienced before they can be understood.” And those are the lessons that truly change us.