|
Author: Dr. Robert A. Eubanks Article source: http://www.amusingfacts.com/. Used with author's permission.
Q: Are you a success?
A: Its all in how you define the word!
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican Village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.
Inside the boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The banker complimented Miguel, the Mexican, on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. Miguel replied that it took only a little while.
The banker then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. Miguel said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The banker then asked, But what do you do with the rest of your time?
Miguel 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 banker 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 Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."
Miguel asked, "But senor, how long will this all take?"
To which the banker replied, "15-20 years."
But what then, senor?
The banker laughed and said "That's the best part. When the time is right you would announce a public listing and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions."
"Millions, senor? Then what?"
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 a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings, where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
What is your definition of success and how are you getting there?
As the story of Miguel so eloquently illustrates, life success is so closely tied to our values and the way that we want to live our lives. We can easily lose direction and what is truly important to us by being drawn to what success means to other people, ideologies, or pop culture. Being clear on what success means to you and how you are working toward it is EVERYTHING!
Check Yourself
Take a moment to ponder the direction that your current choices are leading you in your life, career, relationships, and health.
Now, make sure you are clear that how you are living in relation to each area is how you ought to be living according to your personal values. You may need to first get clear about your values in each area. Hint: grab a pen and paper for this one.
Finally, identify one step you could take in each of the four areas that would bring you closer, or more fully into, what is truly successful in these areas.
Just as the investment banker believed that Miguel should live by the bankers definition of success, so do we often live our lives by a completely different definition of success than we truly ought.
A thoughtful check of your internal map and compass could start small changes that can take you to destinations as different as Wall Street is to a small fishing village in Mexico!
© 2004 by Dr. Robert A. Eubanks
Article URL: http://www.bridgetosolutions.com/pages/8/index.htm
Terms of use: This article may be published electronically or in print, as long as the byline at the end of the article is included without alteration. About The Author
Dr. Robert A. Eubanks is the founder of Bridge to Solutions Coaching. He coaches people around the country via telephone to improve organization, time management, goal setting and to create the best darn life possible!
For a free 30 minute coaching session, e-mail bridgetosolutions@yahoo.com or visit www.bridgetosolutions.com.
Ignore PR at Your Peril!
Actually, I don't believe you don't care, and I don't believe you're really ignoring public relations. If you were, by now your organization would be on its las...
How to Get a Website Indexed Fast
Have a website you want to get indexed fast? This article will take you through the steps to using a blog to get your site indexed in weeks, rather than months.
Deep Vein Thrombosis...an In Flight Risk
Planning to do some long distance traveling this summer be it train, plane or automobile…here is some important information to pack with you to avoid this trip ...
How to Generate Extra Cash in an Instant
With so many out of work, laid off or staying in dead end jobs to make the ends meet, we need creative ways of generating extra income. Here are a few simple, i...
Diary Complaints
I saw my name in my wife's diary, and didn't like what I read...
The Power Of Scrapbook Journaling
By journaling your pages you will transform an ordinary collection of photographs into a vibrant and visual storyboard - telling the stories behind the pictures...
Aromatherapy for Common Ailments
Aromatherapy works in several ways to combat common
ailments. Essential oils contain molecules that once
applied or dispersed through the air trigger nasal
rece...
Like It Or Not, You Have A Score To Settle!
Just when most people finish with school and can stop worrying about test scores, there's a new kind of scoring that enters the picture. It's called credit scor...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Dates
Having good pictures in your profile is crucial if you are to be successful in the world of online dating. Follow the guidelines below and your profile will st...
Finding True Happiness: Part One
We are all searching for that one thing that would make us truly happy for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, a lot of us often look in the wrong places for ...
Resurrecting the Perfect Resume, Part Two
Continue your efforts to resurrect that failing resume with these secrets from professional resume writers.
The Best Simple Software For The Busy Webmaster
Here are a few programs I can't do without. They're free, and make being a webmaster much easier.
Learn the Basics of a Successful Low Cholesterol Diet
If you've just found out that you have high cholesterol and need to go on a low cholesterol diet, then here is an outline on what you should and should not eat ...
Buying Insurance
Insurance is one of the most unpleasant purchases that we have to make - it takes its place amongst those few things we buy that we hope we will never actually ...
Create a Hummingbird Garden Habitat
It's not difficult to create a garden that will attract hummingbirds, but if you'd like to build a habitat in which they will happily nest and live throughout t...
Mindfulness and Conversation: Mastering The Art of Small Talk
How's the weather? Here's a look at tapping into the power of small talk to create more meaningful relationships.
Career in the Toilet?
Individuals not within their target career field may feel insecure, doubtful, or maybe even ashamed of their current job title. Career changers make up a large...
Wedding Insurance – Peace of Mind for Your Perfect Day?
With the average cost of a wedding around £17,000 you would think that more couples would take out wedding insurance just in case something happens to spoil the...
The Power Of The Brain
How the Brain works?
Music Software 101
Want to find out how to listen to all your favorite songs whenever you want? If so, you'll want to learn more about music software and how you can install some ...
Dealing with Workplace Stress
One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is workplace stress. After all, you need to go to work and there are plenty of things to worry about once you get t...
Peddlers, Hucksters, & Empty Suits
Article discusses why and how sales people should be proud of their profession.
Belize Honeymoon Resorts
The enchanting Belize honeymoon resorts captivate every visitor through the appealing secluded jungle atmosphere as well as the beautiful hideaway crystal-clear...
Quick Tips On Making Change Work For You
Quick, action oriented tips on putting a positive spin on change and making change work for you.
|
Print this page