The Safari, The Lion & The Entrepreneur

by joshua on August 13, 2009
in Success Principles

So here we are at the Milwaukee County Zoo, a fabulous zoo with a lot to see. Ethan has his favorite animals that he likes to see and funny enough he always wants to first go to the part of the zoo that has barnyard animals to see the cows first. Of all the animals he chooses the cows, actually last year Kelly and Ethan were able to watch a live birth as a new calf entered the world. So here we are mid week a couple days ago, we decided to drop what we were doing to take Ethan and Cole to the zoo and hang out as a family. As we stroll through the streets of the zoo and look at all the animals I am reminded that only a short while ago this was something that I was not able to do during the middle of the week as I was stuck at work.

As we meandered through the zoo we came to “Big Cat Country”. I love seeing the majesty of the Lion, the sleekness of the Cheetah, the confidence of the tiger and the funny acting Hiena. Walking through the building where all the Big Cats are “caged” in a complete pseudo safari is always humbling for me. Why? You may think I am talking about animal rights etc., I am not.

The Lion & The Safari

Look close at the picture above, this majestic king of the “jungle and safari” was staring directly at us. As I looked right at this beast 6 inches from the glass, I realized, he is NOT LOOKING AT ME. He is looking right through me, I mean I didn’t exist in his world, no matter what I did he just stared as though I wasn’t even there. Friend, as I watched this lion I realized this . .

In his being, the very FIBER of who he is, a King, A Conqueror, he makes his own rules, he roams the Safari with might and power. He leads his pride with freedom and power working in his environment roaming, being and living. I knew at that moment this majestic animal was NOT looking at me, He was imaging the SAFARI, he was sitting on his throne living on his terms, picturing in his mind, seeking his prey, leading the pride, conquering his domain, he was at that moment exported from the “cell” behind the glass and he was living in the safari in which he was created to be.

What a powerful parallel to the lives of MANY entrepreneurs . . .

The Entrepreneur

Here you are it is Monday morning, you are an entrepreneur and you’re heading to work. You arrive at the office, you step out of the car and head into the building to begin your week working in your “cell” behind your glass. You go through the motions of the day, you accomplish your job, you deal with the things of the moment. However, not too long into your day, you find yourself staring . .

You imagine, roaming the safari, conquering, living on your terms, your heart races, you feel at home, you know that in your heart you are an ENTREPRENEUR and you are not meant to live by the terms of others rather it is your destiny to build, lead, create and prosper. You find yourself imagining your day, what you would do, how you would act, who would be and what your life would look like as a successful entrepreneur. Than, BAM, wake up you are back to reality, you snap out of your zone you look around and see you are there behind the glass in your cage . . .

Friend,

There are two types of entrepreneurs. Those that accept the position they have and allow their dreams, their destiny and their true identity to die and than there is the entrepreneur that takes action. They begin to build so they can break FREE from the glass, they can roam the safari, they can live on their terms and they emerge as a conqueror an entrepreneur who no longer is behind the glass!

Take a look at the lion above . . .