{"id":7414,"date":"2021-04-26T17:43:57","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T22:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/?p=7414"},"modified":"2026-02-01T14:44:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T20:44:21","slug":"how-to-simplify-your-life-in-three-minutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/how-to-simplify-your-life-in-three-minutes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Simplify Your Life in Three Minutes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Simplify and free up your life in three minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s how long it takes to catch three treasures from this parable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Simplify
Life by the river in Mexico\/picture alliance\/Getty Images<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Standing on a pier in Akumal last week, I thought about Heinrich Boll’s 1963 tale of a Mexican fisherman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

You already have it all <\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An American businessman was at the pier of a coastal Mexican village when a small boat with a fisherman docked. Inside the boat was a small catch of fish. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mexican replied, \u201conly a few hours.” The American asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to take care of his family. The American then asked, \u201cbut what do you do with the rest of your time?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mexican fisherman said, \u201cI 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<\/em> busy life.\u201d The American scoffed, \u201cI have a business degree and I can help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With those proceeds, you could buy more boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this little village and move to Mexico City, then LA, and eventually New York City, where you will run your growing business.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mexican fisherman asked, \u201cBut, how long will all this take?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To which the American replied, \u201c15 \u2013 20 years.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut what then?\u201d Asked the Mexican.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American laughed and said, \u201cThat\u2019s 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!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMillions \u2013 then what?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American said, \u201cThen 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“But, I’m already doing that,” said the fisherman.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simplify by day<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That’s all we have. Right now. Today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our fisherman builds joy into his life now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a beautiful example of simplicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of preparing to live, he is living by not chasing more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“Most people spend their entire lives indefinitely preparing to live.”<\/strong> Paul Tournier<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Simplify friends<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What’s more fun than playing with the folks you love most?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The folks who lift you up<\/a> as much as you do them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much time is given to the soul-sucking folks using you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n