One of the questions I am asked a lot is when are you going to retire?? It’s honestly hard for me to even type those words and here’s why…”I LOVE MY JOB.” I can’t even conceive of what I would do if I didn’t have a reason to get up every morning and come hang out with all of you guys. So I was cleaning my office the other day and came across this story and shared it with my class last Friday. Based on their response I decided to share it with the rest of you. To me it embodies my sentiments and sums up why I plan on doing what I’m doing for years to come. Maybe it will resonate with some of you as well. The word of our week last week was Passionate. I am Passionate about providing a space for all of us to work out and practice yoga. I am Passionate about promoting health and wellness. I am Passionate about sharing sound nutrition information AND I am Passionate about continuing to provide a space for us to come together as a community. What are you Passionate about? What makes you happy?? Are you continuing to allow yourself space for your Passions? For what brings you joy??
Allow me to share this story with you…
An American investment banker 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 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 Mexican 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 siestas 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.” 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, 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 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 will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied,” 15 – 20 years.”
“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.
The American laughed 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 – than what?”
The American said, “than you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
A reminder to all of us to spend every day doing what we love, what we are passionate about AND surrounded by those who bring us joy…why wait?
