"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?"
To which 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."
Fun | Stephen Shapiro on Innovation, Creativity, Goals & Performance