The Good Life
Let's be honest, for most of us lucky enough to be born into societies not filled with war and chaos, we strive for one thing... to live a good life.
This takes shape in many forms, but overall it seems to cultivate the ideas of success, wealth, health and happiness.
I often find it strange though in how we look at these measures of success. Right now, I'm not the wealthiest person I know (in fact probably in the poorest bracket) but my life is my own and it brings me so much happiness and joy. I took a leap and quit a job I hated to start something I believe in. For me it's not the numbers in the bank account it's the drive I wake up to each day. I spend time with good people who fill my heart and I'm excited for the future.
But for you, well for you it may be something else holding you back! And it's time to think about what holds you back from a good life...
"A successful businessman on vacation was at the pier of a small coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna.
The businessman complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The fisherman proudly replied, “Every morning, I go out in my boat for 30 minutes to fish. I’m the best fisherman in the village”.
The businessman, perplexed, then asks the fisherman “If you’re the best, why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish? What do you do the rest of the day?”
The fisherman replied “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, spend quality time with my wife, and every evening we stroll into the village to drink wine and play guitar with our friends. I have a full and happy life.”
The businessman scoffed, “I am successful CEO and have a talent for spotting business opportunities. I can help you be more successful. 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 with many fishermen.
Instead of selling your catch to just your friends, you can scale to sell fish to thousands. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to the big city, where you can oversee your growing empire.”
The fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the businessman replied, “15 – 20 years.”
“But what then?” Asked the fisherman.
The businessman 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 businessman said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your grandkids, spend time with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends.”
A good life doesn't have to involve making millions. Money helps in life, of course it does! But the amount we truly need to be happy... well that might surprise you! If you're killing yourself in a job to spend more, ask yourself if the pay off is worth it because you'll soon find the next big thing that means you work even more to achieve it.
I'm not saying quit your job tomorrow and just hope you'll make rent/mortgage payments. But today, today I'd love you to sit and think about what a good life means to you and how you can work towards finding that balance.
And as always, if you need to talk, we are here! Drop us an email info@trashpandahq.com
Written by Katy Forrester
Co-founder & Director
