Do you have a stack of books for reading? My husband and I both have a stack of 5-10 books at any given time that we’re working through. Christmas blessed me with a stack of books I can’t wait to read. And in the midst of that pile is a number of library books I’ve gathered (and keep renewing because I never seem to have enough time to read them as quickly as I like!). My current book is one that my husband recommended to me as I seek to have a better mind for business. Its titled The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman. Its been great resource for me since I feel like I have a great deal to learn in the department of running a business! I came across this story that has really stuck with me. When I mentioned it to my hubby, he says “Oh yeah, you’ve never heard that story before?!” as if to say, everyone knows that story! Apparently I am even more ill-educated in this department than I thought. But maybe you are like me and have never heard it before. If so, leave me a comment so I know I’m not alone! Otherwise you can just enjoy it again, you well-educated person you 🙂 This story is a parable that apparently has been around a long time with no apparent orginal source. So please enjoy Josh Kaufman’s paraphrase of this parable below!
“Once, a powerful executive went on vacation — his first in fifteen years. As he was exploring a pier in a small coastal fishing village, a tuna fisherman docked his boat. As the Fisherman lashed his boat to the pier, the Executive complimented him on the size and quality of his fish.
“How long did it take you to catch these fish?” the Executive asked.
“Only a little while,” the Fisherman replied.
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more?” the Executive asked.
“I have enough to support my family’s needs,” said the Fisherman.
“But,” asked the Executive, “what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Fisherman replied, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, and stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my friends. I have a full and busy life.”
The Executive was flabbergasted. “I’m a Harvard MBA, and I can help you. You should spend more time fishing. With the proceeds, you could buy a bigger boat. A bigger boat would help you catch more fish, which you could sell to buy several boats. Eventually, you’d own an entire fleet.”
“Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you could sell directly to the consumers, which would improve your margins. Eventually, you could opening your own factory, so you’d control the product, the processing and the distribution. Of course, you’d have to leave this village and move to the city so you could run your expanding enterprise.”
The Fisherman was quiet for a moment, then asked, “How long would this take?”
“Fifteen, twenty years. Twenty-five, tops.”
“Then what?”
The Executive laughed. “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you’d take your company public and sell all of your stock. You’d make millions.”
“Millions? What would I do then?”
The Executive paused for a moment. “You could retire, sleep late, fish a little, play with your children, take a siesta with your wife, and stroll into the village each evening to sip wine and play the guitar with your friends.”
Shaking his head, the Executive bid the Fisherman farewell. Immediately after returning from vacation, the Executive resigned from his position.”
In a world that is so bent on getting ahead, on making more money, on being successful – it was so refreshing to be reminded of the things that matter to us most. Your closest relationships and the opportunity to enjoy them. I was surprised to find this in the middle of a book about running a successful business. Success does not necessarily equate to earning lots of money, but rather being able to do what you love to do. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to what I love to do – which is photography! And I know that opportunity is only because of God who has allowed all the right circumstances to come together that I have the time and ability that I do! Blessings on your own pursuits of success – in doing what you love to do!
I have heard this parable before but loved reading it again! Thank you for sharing this. It is very timely for me and a great reminder to keep life simply focused on God and the people around me. God bless you! Hugs!
Oh I’m so glad! Thank you! Blessings to you, too!
I’ve never heard that, I love it! 🙂 (And you aren’t alone! 😉 )
Yay, I’m not alone! Makes me feel better, Jess! 🙂