In this blog video, Wayne encourages you to set aside time for your two most critical projects. Please share your comments below.
Jeff Silverman says:
I agree. It’s the old story that he was too busy working in the business, and didn’t have the time to work on the business. Focusing on urgent rather than on important.
Simple to understand, Difficult to do. Like running a marathon is simple. Keep putting one foot in front of the the other until finished. The 26 plus miles make it very difficult.
Thanks Wayne….your message is simple & spot on….yet so many individuals and organizations miss the fundamental question of: WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO ?
To accomplish this, a different kind of mindset has to be adopted so that our daily actions align with the goal of improving our life and the life of our businesses. For myself, this simple tale sums it up. Read on:
“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 small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas 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.” The American 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 New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”
“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”
“Millions – then what?”
The American 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 siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
Wayne,
Appreciate the reminder for all of us to take a breath, step back and look at the big picture from time to time. This is healthy for us, our families and our company’s, and yet can be so difficult to do when there is always a new bright fire to put out.
Thanks for the reminder,
John Redner
General Filters, Inc.
Jeff Silverman says:
I agree. It’s the old story that he was too busy working in the business, and didn’t have the time to work on the business. Focusing on urgent rather than on important.
Wayne Rivers says:
Correct, Jeff. IN v. ON; seems like a simple concept, doesn’t it?
Jeff Silverman says:
Simple to understand, Difficult to do. Like running a marathon is simple. Keep putting one foot in front of the the other until finished. The 26 plus miles make it very difficult.
Wayne Rivers says:
Yep.
Alan Vander Horst - TEXAS says:
Thanks Wayne….your message is simple & spot on….yet so many individuals and organizations miss the fundamental question of: WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO ?
To accomplish this, a different kind of mindset has to be adopted so that our daily actions align with the goal of improving our life and the life of our businesses. For myself, this simple tale sums it up. Read on:
“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 small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas 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.” The American 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 New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”
“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”
“Millions – then what?”
The American 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 siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
Wayne Rivers says:
Great story, Alan. Thanks!
John Redner says:
Wayne,
Appreciate the reminder for all of us to take a breath, step back and look at the big picture from time to time. This is healthy for us, our families and our company’s, and yet can be so difficult to do when there is always a new bright fire to put out.
Thanks for the reminder,
John Redner
General Filters, Inc.
Wayne Rivers says:
Good call, John. Thanks for your comment.