Was it a cheetah I saw or a leopard? There is one major difference between these two similar-looking animals. When it comes to speed on the ground, nothing can beat the cheetah. It is the cheetah that holds the world record for the fastest land animal in the world.

If you have an opportunity–be it in the business world or in real life–you often have to move fast. There is no time to think or overthink things. You make a decision and you have to live with it, even if it is only for the next five minutes.

That’s the first lesson of the cheetah. If you see something (or even someone) that you want, you will just have to go after it. Indecisiveness, waiting around and long peace talks are all a waste of time. It is better to make a decision–any decision–and deal with the outcome.

A caveat. If you want to make a good decision fast, you have to let go of all public opinion and focus on our own goals. There is no point in trying to include anyone else in your decision-making process. Decide and execute or decide and move on.

The English word cheetah is derived from the Sanskrit word citra, meaning ‘adorned’ or ‘painted’. The cheetah is a large cat. In modern times, it is seen in North, South and East Africa as well as in parts of Iran. Historically, however, the cheetah ranged throughout Africa and across vast stretches of Asia.

Somalia was likely one of the first lands to be settled by early humans due to its location. Groups of hunter-gatherers who would later go on to migrate out of Africa likely settled in Somalia before their descendants continued their migration journey onwards and forwards. This was, presumably, a migration by land and not by sea or air.

In the Somali language, the world shabelle is used to describe both the leopard and the cheetah. But it is after the fast and ferocious cheetah that the mighty Shabelle River is named. Similar to the cheetah, the Shabelle River runs with great speed and force. In the folklore of the region, there is a strong relationship between the cheetah and masculinity. It is the cheetah’s power that unites the clan and carries the thumbprints of those who have proven themselves to be men.

At one time in its history, Somalia was known for the large number of cheetahs that roamed the countryside. Today, however, the cheetah is an endangered animal. Not only are they vulnerable to loss of habitat and famine, they are also subject to human activity such as war, the illegal pet trade and poaching, especially for their skins.

If humans continue to misuse and exploit the environment in this way, this magnificent creature is at risk of becoming extinct. In The Mahabharata, hunting is considered one of the evils of society for it takes from nature by killing. And when we humans overdo it in an unsustainable way, we deplete and abuse nature.

To the trained eye, the cheetah is distinguishable from the leopard by the teardrop markings around its eyes and by its sleeker build. To the untrained eye, it is easy to confuse the two. To think I haven’t even started on the jaguar yet. The cheetah has the fastest acceleration of any land mammal and can go from 0-95 kilometres an hour in just three seconds.

Given the cheetah’s natural ability to go after what it wants, it reminds us that we need to get moving by being more proactive in the way that we pursue our goals. At the same time, however, we should be aware that we cannot always outrun our current problems. We will not be able to chase away every predator, especially if it’s a human that we are talking about.

If we’re chasing or running after something, it is usually an indication that we feel that something (or someone) is missing from our life. Do you feel that you haven’t found what you’re looking for yet? Cheetah’s advise is simple. Go after something or someone.

Be mindful, though. While the cheetah is a powerful hunter, only half of its hunting attempts are successful. Big deal, boo hoo, we don’t get what we want every time. Nevertheless, it is through quick-decision making and persistence that we choose to try again, knowing that we will eventually succeed.

Another caveat, success itself does not last long. You will have to replicate your success. I have no doubt that with the wisdom of the cheetah, you will create new wins in the future. Go, go, go! What are you waiting for?