WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM LIFE?

En liten text från boken "The Monk who Sold His Ferrari".

An American businessman took a vacation to a small coastal Mexican fishing village on doctors orders. Unable to sleep after an urgent phone call from the office on the first morning, he walked out to the pier to clear his head. A small boat with just one fisherman had docked, and inside the boat were several large Yellowfin Tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish. “How long did it take you to catch them?” the American asked. “Only a little while” the Mexican replied in near perfect English. “Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the American inquired. “I have enough to support my family and give a few to friends” the Mexican said as he unloaded his basket. “But…what do you do with the rest of your time?” the Mexican looked up and smiled, “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 drink cervezas and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life Señor” The American laughed and stood tall, “Sir, I am a Harvard MBA and can help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. In no time you could buy several boats with the increased haul. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats” He continued “Instead of selling your catch to a middle man, you would sell directly to the consumers eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village of course, and move to Mexico city, then to Los Angeles and eventually New York City where you would run an expanding empire with proper management.” The Mexican fisherman then asked, “But Señor, how long will this take?” To which the American replied, “15-20 years. 25 tops!” “But then what Señor?” The American laughed again and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce and IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions!” “Millions Señor? Then what?” “Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your grandchildren, take a siesta with your wife and stroll into the village each evening where you would drink cervezas and play guitar with your amigos…”

Sometimes all you need is enjoy, love life and smile.