The other day, I was having a conversation with my friend in which he stated: I feel like I’m not becoming the man that I want to be. That comment led me to consider my own situation. First of all, I should NEVER become that man I have always envisioned because I should always try to achieve more and become even better. The idea of that “perfect man” should evolve with my life and there should never be a set ideal. Second of all, what life is worth living once you have achieve perfection? No one will ever achieve perfection and no one should ever stop trying to be a better person.
Am I even on the right path to becoming this man? I honestly don’t know. I feel like I’m heading in the right direction but I’m getting too comfortable. I have the comfort of loving family/friends, not worrying about where my next meal comes from, a roof over my head, and the ability to choose what I want to do. I often think to myself, is having this kind of comfort so wrong? Part of me does think so. Here’s one of my favorite stories:
The MBA and the Mexican Fisherman
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?”
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.”
So where am I trying to go with this post? Part of me believes that the fisherman can follow through with the MBA suggestion and become rich. In the process, he’ll be employing many people, helping the economy, and with his new riches he can help the less fortunate. Another part of believes that he is happy doing what he wants and he should continue life as is. Fortunately for me, it’s not my decision. At the end of the day, you’re the only person who can make that decision.
Posted under Entrepreneur
This post was written by Jay on September 8, 2008
