To be the Turtle or the Hare?

Summary

The article argues for a balanced approach to success, suggesting that one should be neither too slow (like the Turtle) nor too fast (like the Hare), but rather adopt the cunning and persistence of the Fox.

Abstract

The article reflects on the traditional fable of the Turtle and the Hare, critiquing the societal pressure to achieve quick success and the reliance on standardized metrics like test scores to define one's capabilities. It emphasizes that true success is not about speed or immediate results, but about finding passion and persistence in one's pursuits, much like the Fox. The author advocates for a nuanced understanding of success that values effort, passion, and the ability to persevere through challenges, drawing on real-life examples and the concept of "Grit" as defined by Angela Duckworth. The article concludes by urging readers to focus on personal growth, meaningful connections, and the pursuit of passion over the conventional rat race.

Opinions

Society's emphasis on rapid achievement and high test scores is misguided and does not account for individual talents or passions.
Success should not be measured by societal standards or wealth, but by personal fulfillment and the pursuit of one's passion.
Standardized testing and academic scores are insufficient indicators of a person's potential or future success.
The concept of "Grit," or passion and perseverance, is a more accurate predictor of success than innate talent or speed.
The pursuit of passion, combined with hard work and resilience, is what truly differentiates successful individuals.
The traditional metrics of success, such as wealth and fame, often overshadow the importance of personal satisfaction and the impact one has on others.
The article suggests that individuals should strive to be like the Fox, combining slow and steady progress with moments of intense focus and action to achieve their goals.

To be the Turtle or the Hare?

All of our life we are told of the story of the Turtle and the Hare where the Turtle wins. Slow and steady wins the race we are told. But here is an inexplicable argument about how our society tries to shape us into hares. Today we are given set milestones that we should reach before we progress with our lives. Its shined about everywhere like the lighting of the sun. Yet you are a night owl. So, the suns beams burn as if you are a vampire but everyone wants you to be in the sun.

When I was a child achievement to me was learning my ABC’S and understanding math. I am mediocre at best with math. But none of my math teacher’s tried to make an effort to shape my understanding of math until I hit eleventh grade where my geometry teacher related every problem to real life. A task that made learning fun again. But during our years of school we are bred to believe our scores on a test are who we are. Success is labeled by the score you make on a test not the amount of effort you make in class. We begin to be shaped into Hares. Hares that if their SAT scores are higher they can get into college for free or have less loans.

The problem this creates is our understanding of success is merited on the number we are labeled. Either special needs, dumb, or brilliant. Those that fall into the mediocre spectrum are able to get into college but averagely fall into nine to five jobs like those that are brilliant. In the end, the rat race we are chasing brings us to the same end. Death. So who are we to judge the successful from the unsuccessful because success is not merited by wealth between your fingers but in wealth within your heart.

Intelligence is not a way to merit the successful. Most people who have billions of dollars started out on the lower income chain believe or not. What separated them from the mediocre is that they found a creature in-between the Hare and the Turtle to be. They chose to be the fox. They were persistent in practicing their passion, and chose to chase after their dreams knowing that failure will happen. They accepted it. When at war with yourself always chose passion over something that will later drain you. If you are not passionate about what you do success will feel more like a human chain.

“You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.” ― Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes

The problem we see is that people are keen on comparing their life to someone else rather then look internally to find the answers why your life is not where you want it to be. Everyone believes saving money is the key to satisfaction because having more money means having a healthier heart? However, this is not true. Most successful celebs have worked beyond their capabilities to obtain where they are. This means grueling hours of work longer than the average work day just to focus and develop their passion. Just like how a fox will stalk a farm until the opportunity to steal a chicken arises. Celebs don’t just fall into popularity. They work. They grind unless your the catch me outside girl. Somehow that girl got famous.

Neither the Turtle who takes life at a slow pace or the Hare who runs at life too fast are winning the race. Thus by falling in-between you are no longer mediocre. You are learning the power of the “Grit” in a person. ( Thank you Angela Duck-worth for defining this.)

“…there are no shortcuts to excellence. Developing real expertise, figuring out really hard problems, it all takes time―longer than most people imagine….you’ve got to apply those skills and produce goods or services that are valuable to people….Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you’re willing to stay loyal to it…it’s doing what you love, but not just falling in love―staying in love.” ― Angela Duckworth, Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success

Thus we end up at the finish line. Where success is not stepping over the line and winning but being able to look back at the race to be proud of the decisions you made. Is it worth drinking every night? Is it worth socializing at parties? Are we too busy finding distractions and less busy on progressing in life? Is the rat race more important than our connections with loved ones?

I’ve seen a lot of death during my race. Every death reminds me of the power the end has on us. Some of us believe time will never run out. We will always have time to fix what is broken. Love won’t run out. Distance won’t kill us. Pressure won’t kill us. But if you ask a firefighter why he chose to run into a burning building, or a soldier why he is fighting the same answer will be met. They do it not for a pay-check but for love. By doing what they are passionate they do not second guess their choice to save lives.

If you want to compare success look at those who save lives and those who are on the billboards. There is one trait they have in common. Passion. Passion with the persistence to do what they love.

So in the rat race I would rather be neither a Turtle or a Hare but a fox.