A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs ... I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City!

From there you can direct your huge enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?"

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta, and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends!"

 
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12 Comments on Retiring in a little Mexican village

FEB
03
595,452 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lisa, I remember this story. I think I just won't get out of bed tomorrow and just relax. Life is too short to be stressed. Thanks.

9:10pm • #1

lol. I think the MExican has it figured out and all without a Harvard degree.

9:42pm • #2
1 Featured Post

Need to enjoy the simple things in life.  What exactly are we working so hard for?

10:55pm • #3
FEB
04
324,481 Points 14 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Oh the irony... (LOL). Thank you for the chuckle. I love a good laugh in the morning. :-)

6:35am • #5
359,285 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I like the irony as well.  It really does put things in perspective, you know.

8:52am • #6

Lisa...

great...this is the first time I heard this....fantastic.

I am actually down in Mexico and selling real estate to people wanting to retire down here.  What is very interesting, is that the amount of people calling and getting in touch with me lately, are people from the states and Canada looking for a new life style, new values in their lives....

would you mind if I copy your story above and put it out on my blog and some other places....great great story...thanks for sharing.

12:37pm • #7
225,268 Points 4 Featured Posts

funny stuff!  quite an interesting twist on things!

1:50pm • #8
156,650 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Thomas - Feel Free!  I met the same kind of people in Belize - ex-Pats looking for a simpler life with more down to earth values.  Some people would call them hippies, but I thought it was kind of cool that they'd give up all most possessions for a simple life.  I remember one man who rented a cabana style home with no electricity who dined by candlelight and took his rowboat to work every day - what a concept.  And these people were all very happy too.  Happy and Jovial and great conversationalists.  I could have sat talking to them for a month.  Who needs money?!

5:25pm • #9
318,018 Points 33 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Life is good, or supposed to be. We make it complicated. :)

11:38pm • #10
FEB
05
1 Featured Post

Hello Lisa.  Thanks for the nice comments on my blogs.  Blogging does not come easy to me.

12:46pm • #11
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Did you see this in the book The Four Hour Workweek?  I just read the book and the story is used to illustrate one of the points in the book.  It is a great example of how we all (many of us) live our lives.

1:59pm • #12

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Lisa Friedman Central New Jersey Real Estate

Bedminster, NJ

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Pinnacle Realtors

Address: 318 Route 202/206, P.O. Box 7012, Bedminster, NJ, 07921

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