In today’s world, where financial success is often linked to self-worth, a recent tweet by a 23-year-old entrepreneur, Kushal Arora, stirred up a debate online. Arora, who runs a marketing company, boasted about his $5,00,000 (Rs 4.20 crore) annual earnings.
He added how he skipped having fun during his late teenage years in favour of long work hours. He spent sleepless nights working, missed social events, and lost his work-life balance but in a couple of years, the financial returns for his sacrifices were massive.
I’m 23yrs old earning over $5,00,000 annually.
When students of my age were partying & chilling, I was:
– Having sleepless nights working
– Missing social events
– Dealing with failures/rejection
– Losing work-life balanceBut I chose that. Are you building your dream life?
— Kushal Arora (@digitalkushal) October 16, 2024
His post rubbed a lot of people in the wrong way, especially in India, where the pressure to work overtime is common. The corporate world in India is infamous for expecting employees to overwork, with late hours and weekend emails becoming the norm. The idea that you need to put work above everything else to succeed is deeply ingrained, often leaving little room for personal life.
While working hard is important, glorifying the idea of burnout or suggesting that your worth is measured by how much money you make can be harmful.
Here’s what people had to say:
You lived your life, they are living theirs.
Not everyone dreams of earning so much, stop making it a fancy show off.You worked hard, you got your money.
Live with it.Stop creating that pressure for the younger lot that if they don’t earn this much, they are useless.
— Mayank Sehgal (@mayank_sehgal) October 16, 2024
I was partying at that age and now earning more then what you have mentioned.
What i want to say is if it is working for you then it doesn’t mean it will work for everyone.
Another example Lakhs of players dedicate. there life to play for india but only 11 qualifies
— Ansar Ahmed (@AnsarAhmed49784) October 17, 2024
Many 23 year olds are still partying, chilling, figuring out, and taking it easy! Kudos to you for setting a great example to this generation.
— Mahima Jalan | Personal Brand Builder (@MahimaJalan2) October 16, 2024
People and their urge to become “motivators”. Urgh!
No, you did whatever suited you. Could you not push it on others? Let people live their life, the way they want.
And just so you know, MANY youtubers/twitchers/podcasters/tiktokers are earning a LOT more than you AND are…
— Aman Sharma (@amansharmadb) October 18, 2024
Brother many students of your age were also studying and working at that time, but they weren’t telling you about it. It’s only the parties that are posted on insta stories.
— Aman (@AmanHasNoName_2) October 17, 2024
If I had this much money and a business I wouldn’t be wasting time talking about it on twitter to taunt others.
I’d be travelling and actually experiencing& enjoying life while working. Too busy immersed irl to bother if other people are doing the same.
Feel sad for you— komal 🤸🏽♀️ (@komal_42) October 18, 2024
Success is not just about the numbers in your bank account but also about living a life that makes you happy.