I'm Gen Z and thought retirement was the goal. My 86-year-old grandfather changed my mind.

The author's grandfather doesn't want to retire.

Courtesy of the author I'm Gen Z and have always valued rest, leisure, and finding balance in my life.

My 86-year-old grandfather has worked as a doctor for 60 years and refuses to retire.

His dedication has changed how I think about ambition, purpose, and growing older.

As a Gen Z, I have struggled with my work ethic .

I have learned to optimize leisure, travel, and rest, and to get into a flow state.

However, my grandfather's work ethic has made me rethink my approach.

At 86, my grandfather refuses to retire .

For the past 60 years, he has woken up at the same time every morning, showered, dressed immaculately, had breakfast, and left for his work as a general physician in his private clinic.

Barring sickness and rare travel, he has never taken a day off , never deviated from schedule, and has an enviable work ethic that I have not seen in anyone.

My grandmother, who was 70, died last year, and he was back to work in a week.

He is the eldest son Born in 1940 in the small town of Gonda in North India , he was the eldest of six younger siblings.

In 1966, at the age of 26, he began his medical practice after completing his MBBS.

From the beginning, he has been focused on his career and his responsibilities as the eldest son of a South Asian family.