102. risk vs reward

A lion faces a choice when it’s hungry. It can easily hunt for a mouse, or attempt to take down the larger antelope. The decision comes down to risk versus reward. While the lion is fully capable of taking down either, the mouse is the easier option, although the energy required to do so exceeds the caloric content of the mouse itself. Therefore, making this decision too often won’t lead to longterm fulfillment or growth. On the other hand, choosing to go after the antelope is the riskier option, requiring more effort and planning due to its greater size and strength, but will provide days worth of food if successful. 

Think of the lion choosing its meal as a metaphor for the choices we make in our lives. Too often people are going after mice because it’s a sure thing, instead of the riskier but far more fulfilling antelope. Assuming that if we decide to go for the antelope — or the thing that is most fulfilling to us — we might be met with failure and go hungry. So we don’t take the risk of starting a new business, we don’t take the risk of asking that person out, we don’t take the risk of committing to lifestyle change to acquire the health and body we desire because we are afraid to fail. We stay small by working the job that pays the bills, by staying “in our league”, and by yo-yo dieting. We only go after the small things because we’re only focused on not losing, instead of playing to win.