The 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 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."

- Author Unknown