For many years now I have talked at my seminars and workshops about how, when it comes to the way the majority of people work out, most of us become so caught up in the harder-faster-heavier-is-better way, that at one point we completely lose sight of what we’re actually trying to achieve – a happier, healthier life.

It reminds me of a story my father used to tell about an American investment banker who, on a visit to a small coastal village in Mexico, happened upon a small boat with just one fisherman aboard.

Inside the tiny boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The banker commented on the quality of the fisherman’s catch and asked him how long it took to pull the fish from the water.

 
The fisherman replied, "Oh, not very long at all."

The banker then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" 

The fisherman said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family."

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

The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife Juanita, then we stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos… I have a very full and busy life."

The banker jeered, "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 could have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor; and eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. Of course, at that point you would need to leave this village and move to Mexico City, and then from there to Los Angeles and eventually New York City. But there you would run your ever-expanding enterprise to its greatest heights."

The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

The banker replied, "About 15 to 20 years."

 
"Then what?" asked the fisherman.

The banker laughed and said, “Ah, my good man, that's the best part of all! When the time is right you would announce an IPO, sell your company stock to the public, and become very, very, rich. You would make millions!"  

"Millions... and then?"

The banker 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."

Until next time, hasta La vista, baby.

Dianne Orwig, CPT, CFC, CYFI
Founder and Creator of the Living Fit Online Program
For more information visit www.lovelivingfit.com