The Harvard MBA

[slotter]

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 ffice:smarttags" /><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com[img] /><st1:City w:st=[/img]Mexico City</st1:City>, then <st1:City w:st="on">L.A.</st1:City> and eventually <st1:City w:st="on"><ST1lace w:st="on">New York City</ST1lace></st1:City>,
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, se! nor?" 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."

[johntofva]

That is Harvard for you. Always doing it the hard way in order to impress someone.

Harvard = Hard Way

[azlew]

Very good Slotter !

I just got back from a trip to Isla Mujeres island (approx 40 minutes NE of Cancun). I witnessed these small fishermen and saw how they live and they and their families are indeed very happy. Just shows you that our concept of success is very warped.

[Tulsa]

Maybe they're happy because ignorance really is bliss.

[azlew]

I have found the idea of working your a** off for 20+ years just to get what they have everyday from age 16 and above is an out of date idea. Of course I am lucky in that I was able to retire early but I think back in all those days where I could have been doing what these guys do and enjoying life like they do ...hmmm maybe when I come back I'll come back as a 18 year old fisherman on Isla Mujeres with a Pachinko

[Tulsa]

However, I prefer my nice brick home in a golf course neighborhood, and both our cars and HDTV and all the pachinkos/pachislos I desire. Somehow I don't think I'd have this catching enough fish for my families use and then sleeping. Yes, we may have a hectic lifestyle and we all may have too much stress in our lives, but the upside, is a HUGE upside. When I come back, it will be to be as a capitalist again.

[luckydog]

Being retired is almost as good and I have my Air conditioning running.

My life isn't stress free, but close to it.

I catch my fish at the supermarket.

[azlew]

......I catch my fish at the supermarket.

Gawd I hate fish of anykind except them there Lobster tails with steak! + I never could catch anything with a hook and bait.....But I did enjoy the wood fire grilled fresh caught fish we had on a trip to Isla Contoy...anyway I also used to love a stressed life but now I don't have that rat race

[slotter]

Capitalism is good. I love it. Especially now that I'm retired!

[johntofva]

Yes, I love our free market economy. I also love sea food (especial wahoo). But what I would really miss is the challenge. I love the stress.............I love the feeling of making it all work. If retirement were an option, I not sure it would be right for me.