Coaching Anecdote: "The Mexican Fisherman"
There are two ways of getting what you want. The first way is to set a goal, and through meticulous planning, apply your attention and intention to the outcomes you desire. In this approach, you see the goals as "out there" beyond your reach and their attainment is often a struggle. The other way is to believe that you already have what you want and that all you have to do is to realise it. This time you don't have to force anything, just work with your beliefs and flow with time. You still use attention and intention but with an overwhelming conviction that things are coming your way. The story of "The Mexican Fisherman" is a wry look at cutting out the work and just recognising that what you want you've already got.
Coaching Anecdote: "The Mexican Fisherman"
An American 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 yellow fin tuna.
The American complimented the Mexican fisherman 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 you stay out longer and catch more fish?"
The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs."
The American 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 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."
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 Los Angeles and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"
To which the American replied, "15 to 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 an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions."
"Millions?...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."
"The Mexican Fisherman": the Moral of the Anecdote
The wisest are those who appreciate what they’ve already got.
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