The Story of the Mexican Fisherman

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 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 he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate 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 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. 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 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 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 siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

- Heinrich Böll, 1963

_____

When I first read this story, it put a smile on my face.

The life we all dream of living seems fixed. We are told to go to school, get a job, work, and make the most amount of money we possibly can. This plan is tried and tested, and also provides results, but it isn’t the only option.

When I was young, I was told many times that if I did not succeed in school, I’d be miserable. If I did not find a good, well paying company to work for, I’d be unhappy for the rest of my life. It created a lot of stress and anxiety in my daily life; I was worried that I'd be unhappy in the future.

But when I chose to take an unconventional degree in university (industrial design), the path laid out for we wasn't as straightforward as everybody told me it would be.

I realised that I had substantially more options about how I wanted to live my life. Instead of feeling trapped, I felt free, like I could achieve anything.

We need to stop and question our choices. Why are we doing this? Is this really the life I want to live? How much money do I actually need to support myself and my family? Is this the best use of my time? Am I doing this because I want to or because I feel like I have to?

I understand that a lot of us are not as lucky or fortunate as others to ask these questions. Some of us struggle to even provide food for ourselves and family. But if you are fortunate enough, then take the opportunity. You have the ability to live your ideal life, whatever that means to you.