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The Millionaire lifestyle…without the millions…
Growing up poor, I have always believed that I need to be ultra-rich to have my dream life. That I need millions to have a millionaire lifestyle. I couldn’t fathom living life and doing what I really wanted without the need for creating a whole separate life to make money, so I can afford that dream life. Then one day…somewhere, traveling again, I heard a story about the fisherman. The story changed me forever. Few years later I quit my job to travel the world…The story about the fisherman
One beautiful Sunday afternoon, a rich businessman trying to relieve the stress from another business trip to a new destination, which he didn’t have time to see, took a stroll on the beach in a small coastal village. The waves were gentle and the breeze pleasantly refreshing. The white sand so soft underneath his bare feet and the crystal clear turquoise water bringing much needed cooling. This secluded paradise was exactly what he needed. An escape from the daily grind, overscheduled days and the never-ending stress.As he walked along the beach and daydreamed, he noticed a small row-boat docked on the beach. Nearby, in a shadow of a large, lush palm tree, a fisherman just awaken from his afternoon nap was resting peacefully. The businessman stopped by to say ‘hello’ and complimented the fisherman on the fish caught that day. Seeing only one fish in the bucket, the businessman wondered if it was difficult to catch them. But the fisherman responded with ease: “There are plenty of them here in the bay and I usually get one or two each day for my family.”Curious, the businessman kept asking: “How long does it take to catch a big one like this?”The fisherman answered: “Oh, not too long. By the time I take the boat up to the sea, fish a little, enjoy the waves and come back, it may be an hour…”Surprised by the easiness of the activity, the businessman wondered why the fisherman doesn’t take more time and catch more fish, but the fisherman assured him that he and his family did not need more than that. Baffled by the situation, the businessman asked: “So, what do you do with all the time you have left?”The fisherman smiled and said: “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my friends. I live a simple life.”The businessman thought about it and decided to help this poor fisherman. The businessman was rich and successful. He has built many companies and understood the potential of opportunities not seen by the fisherman. So he offered: “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you create a better life. If you only spend more time fishing each day, you can then sell the fish and make money. Then, with the profits you make, you can buy more boats and hire other fisherman to fish for you. That way, over time you could own many boats and sell even more fish. Then, instead of selling your catch to a middleman you can sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own distribution channel. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You could then leave this small village and move to the big city, where you will run your expanding enterprise”Intrigued, the fisherman responded: “That sounds like a lot of work. How long would that take?”The businessman answered: “Well it may take 10, 20 or 30 years but it will be worth it in the end and it you will make a lot of money.”The fisherman continued: “and then what?”The businessman was really excited about revealing the opportunities to this poor fisherman so he kept on explaining: “Well, that’s where it gets really good! Once you grow your business, you can then sell it and make millions!”The fisherman asked: “oh that sounds good. And then what?”The businessman responded proudly: “Once you make millions, then you 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 friends.”The fisherman smiled, looked up and said, “But I am already doing that now…”[mashshare shares="false" buttons="true" align="left"] What is your dream life? What is it that you REALLY want to do? Have you actually tried it yet?
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20 thoughts on “The Millionaire lifestyle…without the millions…”
I love it! Thank you for sharing the wisdom!!
So true. Great reminder. It’s sad that we keep forgetting that what we really want is really so close and not need to work overtime to get it.
I love this story. It is so hard to think of what we really want if we are too busy to even think. But I think it is time to step back and really figure out what ‘s important. really, really good story.
🙂 The best story I’ve heard… Cant believe it took me that long to figure it out.
Love, love love! I’d been telling my husband that and he just wouldnt slow down. He is a doctor and just never stops. The life is passing him by, kids are growing up and he just cant see it b/c he is too busy working. I’m sending him this story, if he only finds time to read it. Thanks for sharing. I’m glad I am not the only thinking this way.
What an inspiration. I have to admit I keep falling into that trap. Always working and working and never stopped to think why? This definitely made me pause.
Cool story. Lots of ppl believe that you need to have money to be happy but that is so false. I heard this story growing up in Mexico and can tell seeing my family that the happiest are the ones that enjoy their live today.
agree. it’s crazy how we are always so busy trying to get the next thing, get money, be rich, but all we really want is peace.
Yep. I was so guilty of that…
Absolutely! Sad that we just cannot see it right away.
🙂 no you are not. Hope your hubby finds few min to read it. Good luck with everything!
Thanks! Yes, it took me few years to truly act on some of that wisdom but this story did change my life forever.
Yep. So simple, yet so difficult.
Beautiful story…will make me think twice about staying late in the office again….
What a beautiful story about the importance of simplicity and the right priorities in life. I think we all got lost in this world of commercials, marketing, big mansions and career…while all we really want is a simple life.
Refreshing to think that really don’t need too much. I never gave it much thought but this resonated with me so much.
That’s true AnnMarie. It took me a very long time to realize that but once I did, the life has a true meaning now!
🙂 time to live a little Janet! Good luck leaving on time or early from the office!
This is the most beautiful piece I read – Made my day ^_^
I feel even more happier now
Thanks for the post!
This is THE story to repeat and repeat to myself. I am one of those ppl that got lost chasing money and not really thinking about what I really want. This story resonated with me. It’s been a long time since I really felt like I’m truly living.
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