Sent in by Christine M. Drake
HOW DO WE MEASURE SUCCESS?
An American businessman was at a pier in 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 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 the Mexican how he spent the rest of his time.
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, senor."
The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and 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 senor, how long will this all take?"
To which the American replied, "15-20 years."
"But what then, senor?" 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. You'll become very rich, you would make millions!"
"Millions, senor?" replied the Mexican. "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 siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could
sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
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