Time vs Money = The Mexican Fisherman

[pitt]

Txbeachbum showed me this story a year ago, it is a must read for all of us on here, good that it has its own thread.

I think we should be ok with the users who are against the meaning of this story, sometimes we have to disagree in order to grow, if somebody thinks the story is worthless, then let them give their opinion but i personally love this story.

 

[worldwidetraveler]

I think the people who are disagreeing really don't understand the idea behind the story.

If you're strictly after money then you will probably be very unhappy. The guy, in the story, is happy with his life.

You won't be successful, in life, if money is your main motivation.

 

[Chad Daring]

I understand the metaphor entirely, but what about the Mexican bachelor, who lives alone, has no kids to play with, no wife to be with, and lives in a village (read: America) full of sloppy unkempt women?

The concept of "live for today rather then save for tomorrow" works only if today is the day you want to live for the rest of your life. This is why the story is idyllic, it only works when you have that perfect world.

 

[AntiTrace]

Its a good story. I was told it a while ago by some business guy at a bar. I was actually just retelling the other day to a friend. Good to find the original version.

 

[xsplat]

The part of the story I like best is how it points out how much of our concerns for status are trivial and counterproductive to contentment.

However the story discards that some people find happiness within struggle. For that, I'm not satisfied with the parable. Many people would prefer a good challenge to a long vacation.

 

[teh_skeeze]

The part of the story I like best is how it points out how much of our concerns for status are trivial and counterproductive to contentment.

However the story discards that some people find happiness within struggle. For that, I'm not satisfied with the parable. Many people would prefer a good challenge to a long vacation.

That implies that catching yellowfin tuna isn't a challenge. Fishing is a lot different when you are doing it for a living as opposed to a leisurely activity.

 

[xsplat]

The part of the story I like best is how it points out how much of our concerns for status are trivial and counterproductive to contentment.

However the story discards that some people find happiness within struggle. For that, I'm not satisfied with the parable. Many people would prefer a good challenge to a long vacation.

That implies that catching yellowfin tuna isn't a challenge. Fishing is a lot different when you are doing it for a living as opposed to a leisurely activity.

You're right - I wouldn't consider fishing to be as great a challenge as business success, or as engaging day after day.

Is it?

 

[teh_skeeze]

The part of the story I like best is how it points out how much of our concerns for status are trivial and counterproductive to contentment.

However the story discards that some people find happiness within struggle. For that, I'm not satisfied with the parable. Many people would prefer a good challenge to a long vacation.

That implies that catching yellowfin tuna isn't a challenge. Fishing is a lot different when you are doing it for a living as opposed to a leisurely activity.

You're right - I wouldn't consider fishing to be as great a challenge as business success, or as engaging day after day.

Is it?

Depends.

I used to teach the children of a guy who wrote an algorithm to predict the stock market, but couldn't start a leaf blower. I'm sure that learning how to rig a pole, tie knots, properly bait a hook, etc. would be quite the challenge to him, but it's probably "below him".

As for engaging I would say they are equal. In business, you need to meet your clients needs, be likeable, figure out the logistics of meeting those needs. In fishing (saltwater), you need to know tide, water temp, currents, fishing spots, bait, and gear for your target.

Look at the show "Deadliest Catch". Those guys put their lives on the line for 2 months, and a good boat makes more than 90% of businesses do in a year. I've thought about going up there myself, I just don't think I can hack it.

In case you couldn't tell, I know more about fishing than business.

 

[hun73r]

This is a great story. Have been reciting it for years.
if you want to be an int'l player, I think the takeaways are 1) how do I make passive income and do what I love and 2) the constant quest for a bigger slice of life is a hoax.
For me it is all about cash flow, and the best ways to achieve that are web stores and commercial real estate.

 

[xsplat]

The part of the story I like best is how it points out how much of our concerns for status are trivial and counterproductive to contentment.

However the story discards that some people find happiness within struggle. For that, I'm not satisfied with the parable. Many people would prefer a good challenge to a long vacation.

That implies that catching yellowfin tuna isn't a challenge. Fishing is a lot different when you are doing it for a living as opposed to a leisurely activity.

You're right - I wouldn't consider fishing to be as great a challenge as business success, or as engaging day after day.

Is it?

Depends.

I used to teach the children of a guy who wrote an algorithm to predict the stock market, but couldn't start a leaf blower. I'm sure that learning how to rig a pole, tie knots, properly bait a hook, etc. would be quite the challenge to him, but it's probably "below him".

As for engaging I would say they are equal. In business, you need to meet your clients needs, be likeable, figure out the logistics of meeting those needs. In fishing (saltwater), you need to know tide, water temp, currents, fishing spots, bait, and gear for your target.

Look at the show "Deadliest Catch". Those guys put their lives on the line for 2 months, and a good boat makes more than 90% of businesses do in a year. I've thought about going up there myself, I just don't think I can hack it.

In case you couldn't tell, I know more about fishing than business.

In the story the image it brought to mind was holding a single rod from the position of the beach.

Your image includes fish finding and seafaring. And then you go on to talk about making a business out catching fish, which is exactly what the story warns against as too much work.

Not sure if we are getting the same meaning out of the story, or what meaning you get from it.

 

[Stitch]

I'm somewhat with OldRich here. The problem is, both ends are wrong. The investment banker toils away without ever enjoying the fruits of his labor, and the fisherman has an idyllic life... until his life is no longer idyllic. It's a nice-sounding parable, but all the feel-good in the world won't help you weather a disaster. It's right in the story:

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

Great. What about his family's unforeseen future needs?

Look, I appreciate the need for a feel-good story as much as the next guy, but it's right up there with "just think positive thoughts and good things will come to you." Pleasant at face value, but dangerous if internalized.

 

[teh_skeeze]

The part of the story I like best is how it points out how much of our concerns for status are trivial and counterproductive to contentment.

However the story discards that some people find happiness within struggle. For that, I'm not satisfied with the parable. Many people would prefer a good challenge to a long vacation.

That implies that catching yellowfin tuna isn't a challenge. Fishing is a lot different when you are doing it for a living as opposed to a leisurely activity.

You're right - I wouldn't consider fishing to be as great a challenge as business success, or as engaging day after day.

Is it?

Depends.

I used to teach the children of a guy who wrote an algorithm to predict the stock market, but couldn't start a leaf blower. I'm sure that learning how to rig a pole, tie knots, properly bait a hook, etc. would be quite the challenge to him, but it's probably "below him".

As for engaging I would say they are equal. In business, you need to meet your clients needs, be likeable, figure out the logistics of meeting those needs. In fishing (saltwater), you need to know tide, water temp, currents, fishing spots, bait, and gear for your target.

Look at the show "Deadliest Catch". Those guys put their lives on the line for 2 months, and a good boat makes more than 90% of businesses do in a year. I've thought about going up there myself, I just don't think I can hack it.

In case you couldn't tell, I know more about fishing than business.

In the story the image it brought to mind was holding a single rod from the position of the beach.

Your image includes fish finding and seafaring. And then you go on to talk about making a business out catching fish, which is exactly what the story warns against as too much work.

Not sure if we are getting the same meaning out of the story, or what meaning you get from it.

The beginning of the story has the Mexican man docking his small boat. Tuna isn't a surf fish, you have to go out several miles to find them. He is probably using rod and reel. He is one man, so he doesn't need to catch many fish (here in the states, fresh tuna can go for as much as 2k per fish).

While large crab ships are "making a business of it" the season only lasts 8 weeks or so between King and Ophelia. Deck hands can make 40-75k, depending on the boat. Then they go home, play with their kids, have siesta with their wives, then go into town to sip wine and play guitar with their amigos. Same idea, much larger scale.

 

[xsplat]

While large crab ships are "making a business of it" the season only lasts 8 weeks or so between King and Ophelia. Deck hands can make 40-75k, depending on the boat. Then they go home, play with their kids, have siesta with their wives, then go into town to sip wine and play guitar with their amigos. Same idea, much larger scale.

Ya, that seasonal work life can be a good way to go. You can't just jump into that industry, as I understand it though, as the licenses are limited and the catch is under quota. There are a few such quota industries around the world where the families that own the monopolies really pull big money.

I've lived a seasonal work life myself, but with a twist. In Canada in some areas it's common to work for the minimum 20 weeks the first year, 10 the second, at a high paying job, such as tree planting, and earn a high unemployment insurance the rest of the year. Some consider it morally reprehensible, and it certainly is sucking at the teat of the taxpayer. I used the funds to live as a meditating hermit for some of the year, or live in meditation centers. Some tree planters are incredible athletes, dibbling in as many as 100 trays of spruce per day, whereas a beginner might put in 20, and a hard seasoned worker be satisfied with a long hard day putting in 40. I eventually worked up to big numbers - hitting 50, even 60, then up to 80 and maybe even had a few 100 tray days if the ground was good, but it blew my back out and didn't do much good for my legs either. It's the hardest most grueling work imaginable.

But seasonal.

I work more now, but prefer my current lifestyle. Man, those 20 weeks were a grind.

Ah the memories. Heaven to a tree planter is an old farmers field turned to pasture in early spring, before the black flies come out. Hell is a rocky hill with nothing but moss and mineral soil covered in uncleared deadfall in the full breezeless heat of early summer with an army of blackflies trying to find your earlobes.