Zoo vs Jungle Tigers

A metaphorical story about two tigers that illustrates the difference between corporate workers and entrepreneurs.

"There were two tigers, born together, same mom, separated at birth. One tiger was taken by these wonderful tiger-loving people and raised at a zoo. He was loved every day - they brushed his hair, fed him everything he loved, taught him new tricks, and cared for him in every way. That's the zoo tiger.

The other tiger was left alone in the jungle to survive on his own. If he wanted to eat, he had to hunt. If he wanted to drink, he had to find water. He had to survive against all predators and prey. This became the jungle tiger.

After 10 years, if you put the jungle tiger in the zoo, he would be bored out of his mind. He'd think 'What am I supposed to do all day? I just sit here and look pretty.' His entire way of life would be neutered. This is like most entrepreneurs if they ever get a corporate job - they sit at their desk wondering what they're supposed to be doing.

If you take the zoo tiger and put him in the jungle after 10 years, he dies. He has no idea how to survive in the real world because he's been coddled and cared for in this structured box his entire life.

That's the problem with the someday trap. If you spend your life in these jobs, even good jobs, even challenging jobs, you are being raised as a zoo tiger. Every year you're in the zoo, you become less likely to survive in the jungle. You get to choose early on if you're going to be a zoo tiger or a jungle tiger. The jungle tiger's path is often much more uncertain, much more uncomfortable, and he's going to get dirty and rough, but in the end, it's what he wants - to be able to survive on his own."