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Inspirational
Just wanted to share a story I first read in 2012 that has inspired my life in many ways.
Every time I read it I ask myself why I spend so much time in front of my screen chasing digital money.
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Every time I read it I ask myself why I spend so much time in front of my screen chasing digital money.
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“The Mexican Fisherman”
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 fin tuna.
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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 fin tuna.
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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.
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The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.
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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?”
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The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
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The Mexican fisherman said:
“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take 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.”
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“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take 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.”
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The American replied:
“I am a Harvard MBA and could help you.
You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats.
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“I am a Harvard MBA and could help you.
You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats.
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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.
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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.”
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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.”
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The Mexican fisherman asked, “But how long will this take?”
To which the American replied, “15 - 20 years.”
“But what then?”
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To which the American replied, “15 - 20 years.”
“But what then?”
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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?” asked the fisherman.
“Then what?”
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“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?” asked the fisherman.
“Then what?”
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The American said:
“Then you would retire.
You would move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evening, sip wine, and play guitar with your amigos!”
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“Then you would retire.
You would move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evening, sip wine, and play guitar with your amigos!”
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I really like this story, because it reminds me of how most of us live our lives chasing money and things.
When we reach our goals we automatically start thinking of our next goal.
I am no different.
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When we reach our goals we automatically start thinking of our next goal.
I am no different.
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But sometimes it can be good to ask yourself what you're striving so hard for.
If you find yourself unhappy, not having the time or money to live the life you desire, start asking yourself, why?
What are you missing in your life?
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If you find yourself unhappy, not having the time or money to live the life you desire, start asking yourself, why?
What are you missing in your life?
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I’ll bet you’re spending too much time working, and not enough time on the things you love.
Think about the stuff you’re buying.
Is it bringing your dream closer? Or pushing it further away?
What is your ideal lifestyle, and how much does it cost you to live that?
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Think about the stuff you’re buying.
Is it bringing your dream closer? Or pushing it further away?
What is your ideal lifestyle, and how much does it cost you to live that?
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Now that's what you should aim for. Nothing wrong with continuing to chase things, but don't let it go on behalf of your health.
Because what makes you rich and unique is not what you have, but how you have lived.
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Because what makes you rich and unique is not what you have, but how you have lived.
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It’s in the stories you’ve collected, the lives you have touched.
It’s in the memories you have to take with you.
You only have this one life, so use it well.
PS! This is also a reminder to myself.
It’s in the memories you have to take with you.
You only have this one life, so use it well.
PS! This is also a reminder to myself.
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