On the topic of lions

Some time ago, I was presented with a figure like the one enclosed in this post, accompanied by the explaination that it showed the way in which a person's ability within a subject area evolves over time: in the beginning, while acquiring the ability, the person is a "young lion" - ​​ambitiously pursuing more and more knowledge, getting better and better at doing what the person does, and constantly striving towards higher goals.
At one point, one becomes satisfied; one will become, so to speak, a "mature lion" that exists well with what one has acquired - but does not do anything to maintain and develop the skill set, so that it slowly goes downhill - until one at last becomes an "old lion", and one's skills really start to deteriorate badly.
It's an interesting point, as the transition between states has nothing to do with calendar time or age. It is quite simply a choice (or perhaps a deselection, but in any case: a result of a priority) when you change from young to mature and eventually to old lion. The person who showed me the figure was of the opinion that Warren Buffett showed in his competencies all the characteristics of a young lion - and if you can do it at the age plus eighty, most of us should still have the chance to prioritize correctly. It is merely to make a choice - and decide that on the points that matter, you will remain a young lion.
(Translated from "Noget om løver", originally published January 31st, 2012)