All Things Inspired

A lion doesn't have to prove that it's a threat. You already know what the lion is capable of. Be the lion!

In the past couple of weeks, we talked about how everything that we do begins with the proper mindset. This was in general terms of having a mindset for success. The next two weeks we're going to take that a step further and discuss what it takes to have a lion mentality or lion mindset. Lion mentality is having no fear or hesitation in the pursuit of that which you wish to achieve. It's a mindset that emits power and authority. A lion doesn't have to prove that it's a threat, you already know what the lion is capable of.

The lion's mentality is a superior one. They are powerful. They are efficient. And they are persistent. A lion knows his own ability. He knows where his strengths and weaknesses lie. The lion isn't always successful in the hunt! But he doesn't feel sorry for himself. Doesn't beat himself up. Doesn't feel like a failure. He just knows another opportunity will arrive, and he will learn from his mistakes to ensure the next one is a success.

How is the lion considered to the the King of the Jungle? He's not as big as the elephant. A cheetah is know to be the fastest. Probably not the smartest compared to primates of the jungle. The lion tends to be a loner when hunting unlike the packs of wolves or hyenas. So how does he earn the title of King of the Jungle? We said earlier that a lion doesn't have to prove that it's a threat, you already know what the lion is capable of. That statement would indicate that the lion commands fear and respect. This is because of the mentality of the lion.

We now understand the lion mentality. Let's look at some of the notable traits of the lion.

Confidence - he is unafraid of things or environments around him.
Strong - he has a strong body and powerful legs to drive his pursuit. In other words, he is solid in foundation and has an unwavering attitude.
Patience - he does not react with excitement or anxiety. He is patient and calculating.
Courageous - his courage is not by the absence of fear, but the ability to triumph over it.
Agile - he is extremely agile and can change the course of his pursuit when a disruption in chasing his prey occurs.
Determined - he is determined in his pursuit. Although he may fail, he doesn't give up. He learns from what we missed and focuses on his capabilities for the next hunt.
Leadership - he leads by serving his pride. He is focused on achieving his goal. He does not ask permission to rule the jungle.
Self-sufficient - he is independent and values his own strength and competence to hunt.
Dangerous - aside from the obvious danger of a lion, he learns, thinks, and observes. He has gained much knowledge for the hunt through this process.
Decisive - he does not question whether he should pursue it. He knows to survive he must attack and conquer the prey.

In examining these traits it's easy to understand how the lion is often considered the king of beasts. But don't think that a lion is free of obstacles or problems. They might have less room for error, as one mistake may cost them their life or reign over their pride. When we think in terms of success rates, you may or may not know that a baseball player at bat is considered a star if he is able to get a hit just 30 to 35% of the time. Or if a basketball player hits 50 to 60% of his shots, he's going to score with success. What about a football quarterback, if he completes 60 to 65% of his passes, he's a great player. Maybe you're not a star athlete, but in a sales role for example, it's often said if you close 20% of your sales opportunities you are a success. Did you know that the lion, the king of beasts, only catches the gazelle 17 to 19% of the time?

What sets the lion apart from most humans in this case? Have you ever seen a depressed lion or one who wants to give up? While they may struggle to hunt at times, they never quit!

We now understand the lion mentality and the traits that make the lion the King of the Jungle. Next week we'll probe into the characteristics of people who have a lion mindset and how you too can develop a lion mentality.

Like the quote of the week says, everyone wants to eat, but few are willing to hunt. Find your purpose, prepare to hunt, plan to eat, and be unstoppable!

Be inspired! Inspire others!