The celebration of Christmas brings to mind the hustle and bustle of business.
It begs the question: “Why the hustle?”
Why did you start your business?
Most often answers look like this…
(these are my answers)
For more time,
For more money,
To impact more people's control over the things that build wealth.
It's also the typical triangle.
Time
Money
People
Often as we face a new year, we have to take a step back and reassess.
Why are you working?
Working to live?
Living to work?
It goes back to whether you love what you're doing, then maybe it does not really feel like work (although there are always aspects that are challenging). As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season rages around me, I was reminded of a story, a parable, heard at a business retreat.
The story resonated so I searched around for the origins to understand more. And it turns out that this parable shows up in a few cultures. Typically different kinds of warm, seaside cultures. Despite the fact that it is written from the perspective of Mexican or Spanish culture, I think I saw an Irish culture aspect to it based on the seaside fishing development.
Here is the full text of the original parable of THE MEXICAN FISHERMAN
The businessman 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 yellowfin tuna. The businessman 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 businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time? The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a 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, señor."
The businessman scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and I 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 and eventually open 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 New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But señor, how long will this all take?" To which the businessman replied, "15-20 years." "But what then, señor?" The businessman 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, señor? Then what?" The businessman 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 a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now?"
-Author Unknown
This leads me to think and provide prompts for thinking to you, Self Made Nation!
What is the reward for hard work?
Why did you start your business?
What do you take away from this parable?
I would say it is a reminder to stay in touch with who you are.
And only you know what your reward is.
Only you know what unapologetic wealth means for you and what enough is.
Only you know if you're doing what you love.
If you’re a fan of the audio medium, do have a quick break and listen to this short and sweet episode of my podcast “I’m a Millionaire! So, now what?”
If you are an entrepreneur looking to exit, or at the helm of a thriving business or startup, I would love to talk with you about your stories! Drop me a line via email or LinkedIn.