Normally, I talk about film financing, film distribution, and film production. But today, I want to share something a little different. The Mexican Fisherman Story is one of my favorite reminders that you should appreciate what you have, because it may be exactly what you want.
If you’ve never heard it, here we go. It’s a simple story, but I think it asks a question worth thinking about: What are you working so hard to get, and how much of it do you already have?
The Mexican Fisherman Story
An American investment banker was standing at the pier of a small coastal village in Mexico when a fisherman pulled up in a small boat. Inside were several large yellowfin tuna. The banker complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
“Only a little while,” the fisherman replied. The banker wanted to know why he hadn’t stayed out longer to catch more. The fisherman explained that he already had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. So the banker asked what he did with the rest of his time.
The fisherman said he slept late, fished a little, played with his children, and took a siesta with his wife, Maria. Each evening, he walked into the village to sip wine and play guitar with his friends. He had a full and busy life.
The Banker Had a Bigger Plan
Well, the banker thought he could help. He had an MBA from Harvard, and he had a plan. The fisherman should spend more time fishing. With the extra money, he could buy a bigger boat. Then he could buy several boats and eventually have an entire fleet.
After that, he could stop selling to a middleman and sell directly to the processor. Eventually, he could open his own cannery. He would control the fish, the processing, and the distribution. Of course, he would need to leave the village, move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York to run his growing business.
And Then What?
The fisherman asked how long all of that would take. The banker said about 15 or 20 years. “But what then?” the fisherman asked. That was the best part, according to the banker. When the time was right, he could sell stock in his company to the public and make millions.
Okay, millions. Then what? Well, the banker explained, he could retire to a small coastal fishing village. There, he could sleep late, fish a little, play with his children, take a siesta with his wife, and spend his evenings sipping wine and playing guitar with his friends. Sound familiar?
What Does Success Mean to You?
I love the Mexican Fisherman Story because the fisherman already had the life the banker was telling him to spend 20 years earning. Think about that for a second. The whole plan brought him right back to where he started.
When you’re making movies, there’s always another goal: a bigger budget, a bigger cast, or a bigger deal. I understand wanting those things. But ask yourself what you want them to give you. More freedom? More time with your family? A chance to do work you enjoy?
Appreciate What You Already Have
You can have goals and still enjoy your life today. Take a look at what’s already there. Appreciate it. Before you spend years chasing the next thing, ask yourself whether you already have some of what you’re hoping to find. That’s the wisdom I take from this story.
