Story of the Gazelle and the Lion

I recently returned to Toronto and Canada after some time with family discovering and exploring the Middle East for the first time. We first started in the city of Dubai, then ventured to the city of Abu Dhabi. Then we drove across the border to the country of Oman and ended the journey in Doha, Qatar. While in Dubai I came across the book by the ruler of Dubai titled "My Vision", and it referenced an old story of the Lion and the Gazelle.

“With each new day in Africa, a gazelle wakes up knowing he must outrun the fastest lion or perish. At the same time, a lion stirs and stretches, knowing he must outrun the fastest Gazelle or starve. It’s no different for the human race.”

At the core of this simple story, I interpret it as a reminder of the importance to keep it moving, don’t stay still, get out of your current comfort zone. Pursue incremental improvement whether you are the Lion or the Gazelle.

Career Movement/Development

A person's career can be as an employee, self employed or business owner and the movement or progression that is important involves constant learning, re-learning, and upskilling. At the core we live in a society that requires us to add value to the community based on what we do to solve problems for those around us. Make no mistake, an employee is solving problems for the business owner and the clients which is why there is a willingness to pay for that labour. And as the problems evolve, so must the individual in order to solve more complex problems. Similar to the Lion and the Gazelle, one must keep moving or else you will be eaten, or starve in the work world.

Personal Movement/Development

This can sometimes overlap with career development but should actually be distinct from it , after all one's work shouldn’t be the only thing in their life. Growing as a human, learning more about oneself through awareness, understanding more about others based on their story, history, culture and other nuances.

Financial Movement/Development

The progression of financial knowledge, savvy, experience and confidence comes with time. It will not occur simply by making time pass, but requires intentional effort. One aspect is the learning followed by the execution so that your knowledge is not just theory on a bookshelf. The financial arena is vast and deep, so navigating the financial ocean can be daunting at the start and it’s for this reason I passionately started a webinar series to help clients and the community gradually learn more about financial options and strategies. Keep on moving, keep on learning.

Geographic Movement

The story of the Gazelle and the Lion also made me reflect on the tendency of humans and animals to move from barren ground to fertile soil. The pursuit of opportunities may involve moving across departments, businesses, industries, cities, towns and sometimes countries. Environments change and evolve around us, so staying still and static can work against the individual. Like the Lion and Gazelle, the eyes, ears and nose need to be alert of one’s surroundings and stand ready to move quickly.

Conclusion

The tale of the Lion and the Gazelle offers valuable insights into the natural world which can be applied to career, personal and financial development. By embodying the agility of the Gazelle and strategic prowess of the Lion, one can navigate the complexities of modern world and economy. As a reflect on my time in Dubai, Oman and Qatar, I am inspired by the development and commitment to a pioneering spirit which I observed. Finally, I want to invite you to the next webinar. RSVP here.

Orlando Lopez,CFP,CIM,CIWM Book a Meeting Upcoming Webinar