THE CHEETAH AND THE TORTOISE: FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS FOR SUCCESS

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3‭-‬4 NIV)

I have discovered that many emerging leaders are not able to persist in their goals when they encounter roadblocks, hurdles or debilitating factors in the way. They are often discouraged by the impediments.  

Success is about achieving, fulfilling or satisfying a goal. It is about challenging the status quo. It is about introducing positive change in the prevailing circumstance. And this is made possible by character. 

The key verse above reveals that it is character that drives hope. What glorious outcome do you anticipate? You need to build the character of success to make your dream come true. 

Character refers to the attitudes that you have built over time, have stayed with you over time, you are well-known for over time and have ended you at your desired outcome. 

In this session, I will be illustrating what really matters for success using two animals. 

Cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land animal. It has an average speed of 80-130 km/h. It usually hides itself a long distance away from its prey before launching an attack. It boasts of speed but not long life. 

Tortoise

The tortoise is one of the slowest land animals. It has an average speed of 0.2-0.5 km/h. It moves extremely slowly on land, however, it has a very tough protective shell that shields it from predators. The tortoise is the longest-living land animal, with an average lifespan of about 150 years. Some even live up to 255 years. 

What really matters for success

Consistency

A consistent person regularly performs the activities that lead to the fulfilment of a goal, even if there are impediments. A consistent person is dependable, keeps their vision aflame and their business regularly occuring. The tortoise continues to move until it reaches its destination.

Persistence

Persistence is the quality of obstinately refusing to give up or let go. Those who give up or let go their vision to debilitating factors indicate that they are not leaders. Leadership is not a position, it is an attitude. 

The tortoise has no speed but it has persistence. And by persistence, it is able to outlive its predators.  

Tenacity and fortitude

Tenacity means persistence of purpose, and fortitude means mental or emotional strength that enables courage in the face of adversity. 

The tortoise does not have speed but by tenacity and fortitude, it is able to move past its predators and continue up to 150 years or more. 

Direction

When you have the direction just right, speed does not really matter. Whereas the cheetah is able to hurry towards its prey to seize it quickly, it can still miss the prey. However, the tortoise moves slowly but successfully past its predator due to the strong, protective shell that it has built over its body. This is like building tenacity and fortitude to be able to withstand emotional and mental pressures in life. Instead of worrying about speed, focus on building tenacity and fortitude. 

The tortoise moves slowly but once it targets a hideout, by consistency, persistence, tenacity and fortitude, and direction, it is able to reach its destination unharmed. 

Lessons from the cheetah and the tortoise 

You may want to hurry to obtain your Masters, hurry to marry, hurry to reproduce children, hurry to be wealthy, and hurry to actualise your dream and aspiration, but when you get the direction wrong, you are doomed. It is not easy to recover wasted years, so think twice when making a decision in life. 

Some of your mates got a well-paid job shortly after graduating from university. Others began to pursue their Masters while still doing their national service. Still others got a well-paid job six months into national service or shortly after national service, got married and started reproducing children immediately after marriage.

Contrariwise, someone got a well-paid job eight years after national service, got married nine years after national service and started reproducing children ten years after national service.  

Understand our human differences

Everybody agrees that the fingers are not the same but all do not accept this truth in the same way. While some compete for success, others complement each other for success. Rather than compete, let us complement one another for success, for each person is different or endowed differently from the other. Wealthy people do not compete for success, they complement one another for success. 

Make it your aim to help others to succeed. Everyone who has helped another person to succeed is a success. 

#Truth Haven