Sometimes “success” is right under our nose. I love this story that I’ve told many times over the years:
An American businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna.
The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.
The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”
“But what then?”
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”
“Millions, Then what?”
“Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
– Author Unknown
Is the success path you’re on taking you to a better life?
That’s a wonderful story Dan. I’ve worked with too many people who are driven to make money and build large businesses. Unfortunately, if they are successful, they often seem to have lost their health, family, and friends along the way – so they are only left with the money.
I can visualize the happy fisherman, his happy family, and the friends he interacts with every day. I love those images! Thanks for sharing this story.
Excellent story, everybody has a different definition of success. I might not won’t to own 7 business, but I’m happy.
The real difference between the two lives is the journey itself, what purposes and meaning it gives oneself and others, not the destination.
I love this story, Dan. Thanks for sharing it. The juxtaposition of the two ideas of success, perspective, and more subtly, “help” is delightful!
Awesome story Dan! Whatever happened to the Life of Riley?!
I endeavored to tell an acquaintance once that I have everything I want. My health my healthy family, my house, my riding mower, a hot shower everyday, and my ultimate dream come true, an extra refrigerator in my garage. With pity and disdain, he looked at me in despair as I was obviously suffering HIS deepest form of depravity. What is unanswerably odd is that he enjoys promoting his life purpose of celebrating “diversity” and encouraging multiple “perspectives”. I can only assume he means something else. :). Thanks for sharing, Dan!
Love this story! The older I get the more I value all that I have already. The more I value, the more I invest. The more I invest, the wealthier I become.
I love it. Every Jimmy Johns restaurant (a sandwich chain based out of Illinois – I pity those of you who don’t know about this place) that I’ve visited has this story on its wall. Puts it all in perspective.
Greetings Dan, A few years ago I thought of my summer as “lost” while working incessantly. Looking back, how foolish! Continuing to learn from personal development masters such as yourself, today, I have learned to be grateful for what I have and to be intentional about my priorities. Today, I went hiking with my wife along Lake Ontario on this gorgeous summer day. We laugher and dreamed of what next. Not long ago, I would have been at the office working.
Paul,
Awesome – sounds like you’re on track. Having a meaningful life is not something we have to wait for. Rather, it’s something we plan from day one – regardless of our circumstances. Joanne and I have been in England for nearly a month. Came here to speak at a conference and decided to just explore and relax.
Have seen some of your photos posted on Facebook, looks like you are having an amazing time!