The American Millionaire and the Fisherman

I just finished a book called The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss. After reading this book, I realize that Americans work way too hard for our paycheck. Our buying habits and thinking makes us almost prisoners for the American way of life. Did I mention that we live this life at the expense of our poorer countries in the world?

The book relays a great story that really hit home for me.

The American Millionaire and the Fisherman

An American businessman took a vacation to a small coastal Mexican village on doctors orders. After a phone call from home that upset him, he walked out on the dock and saw a single fisherman in a small boat with several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the fisherman on the catch.

The American inquires, "How long did it take you to catch the fish?"

The Mexican answers, "Only a little while."

"Why don't you stay out longer and catch some more fish, returns the American."

"I have enough for my family and to give to some friends," the fisherman said as he unloaded the boat.

"Then what do you do with the rest of your time?"

He smiles and says, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, and stroll the village in the evening while I sip wine and play guitar. I have a full and busy life, senor."

The American laughs. "Sir, Im a Harvard M.B.A and can help you. You should spend more time fishing so that you can buy a bigger boat and hire a crew. Before you know it, you can buy more boats and increase the haul."

He continues, "Instead of selling to a middleman, you could sell directly to customer,then you could expand the enterprise.The best part is that you could eventually sell the business stock as an IPO and become a millionaire."

The fisherman asks, "How long will that take?"

The American replies, "15-20 years, 25 tops"

"Then What?"

"Then you would retire and move to a small coastal fishing village, where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, and stroll the village in the evenings while you sip wine and play guitar with your Amigos..."

The moral of the story is living your life now, not for some long-term goal that may or may not happen.

This book gives very practical advice on how to reduce the number of hours you work and still enjoy the same salary. I think its a-must read for everyone working too hard for the American Dream.