Enough!?

Why are you doing what you do? What is your true professional passion?

An unknown author wrote the following story. It’s a great one. Incorporate the ideas provided below the story and watch your business strategy thrive.

***

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 small fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of the fish and asked him how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied “only a little while. “ The Mexican said, “He had enough to support his 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’m a Harvard MBA and could help you. “You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat, and with a bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to the middleman, you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this little fishing village and move to Mexico City, and then LA and eventually NYC where you would run your expanding enterprise. “

The Mexican fisherman asked, “but how long will this take?”

To which the American relied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then?”

The American laughed and said that is 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.”

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 the village in the evening, sip wine and play guitar with your amigos.”

***

Stephen Covey coined the phrase many years ago, “start with the end in mind.” What he did not reinforce is a truly successful professional enjoys the ride along the way.

Here are a few thoughts on how executives and people of influence can realize their professional dreams WHILE enjoying each day along the way.

Get Crystal Clear – Write down your goals in life. Ensure they are well rounded. Health, Family, Friends, Mental, Wealth

Work to Balance – No human being or business is perfect. Part of enjoying the ride while we build companies is experiencing the highs and lows. Welcome the ups and downs as “the process.“ Work toward achieving the incredible sweet spot of busy yet balanced. It’s invigorating.

Involve Others – Making millions of dollars, winning an iron man, earning a Ph.D. are all noble goals. Realizing these objectives without demonstrating gratitude and building strong relationships along the way lead to emptiness. Life is built around helping others while helping ourselves. Be generous in facilitating other people’s goal attainment. You will be amazed at how the universe pays you back in kind.

Stay Grounded – Change is a certainty.   Hubris is unbecoming. Be adaptable and thrive.

Oh, and one more thing. Laugh a little more and take the time to go fishing. After all, life is short.

Speaking Events

Business Resiliency

Plan, Prepare and Execute During a Crisis

SingerLewak Business Academy

SingerLewak Irvine, CA

Tuesday October 25, 2016

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Private Event

 

Helping business owners, CEOs and their teams build amazing companies.  

Core focus areas include:
Sales Growth

Strategy Execution
Leadership Alignment and Accountability

 

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