The Investment Banker & The Fisherman

All of us will at one point of time in our life think of making it big, creating success and be financially free. 

I myself had in an earlier post thought that i am on my way to becoming successful and on my way to being a millionaire as a 16 year old agent renting out properties.

The following story is a perfect example about life, about being content with what i have how I want to live my life.

"An American investment banker 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 tunas. The investment banker 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 didn’t he 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 siestas 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 can 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 then be able to leave this small coastal fishing village and afford to move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, 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?” Asked the Mexican. 

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?” 

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

A very simple story but with deep meaning behind it. Reminds us to rethink the purpose in our life and what we really want in life. We might already be living the life we always wanted to live.

Have a great week ahead! :)