I often share a story about an old fisherman in Greece that perfectly captures one of life’s most important lessons. This simple tale has resonated with countless entrepreneurs and business leaders I’ve coached over the years, and it continues to be relevant in our hustle-obsessed culture.
The story goes like this: An old fisherman wakes up early, spends a couple of hours fishing, and returns with an impressive catch. He enjoys breakfast with his family, plays cards with neighbors, has lunch with friends, takes an afternoon nap, and spends the evening with his loved ones. His life is simple but complete.
One day, a visiting businessman observes the fisherman’s routine and immediately sees “opportunity.” He approaches the fisherman with excitement, outlining a grand vision: “I could invest in you! We could buy multiple boats, catch more fish, distribute them widely, and make millions!”
The fisherman’s response is profound: “What am I going to do with all that money?”
The businessman replies, “Well, you could spend time with your family, play cards with friends, take naps, and enjoy your evenings.”
The fisherman already has what the businessman is promising as the reward for years of stress and sacrifice. This paradox lies at the heart of how many of us approach success and happiness.
The Success Trap We Fall Into
In my years working with high-achievers—from professional athletes to Fortune 500 executives—I’ve witnessed this pattern repeatedly. We postpone happiness for some future state of achievement, only to discover that what we truly wanted was available to us all along.
Many entrepreneurs I coach are caught in this cycle:
- Working 80-hour weeks to “someday” have freedom
- Missing family events to build wealth that will “eventually” allow for quality time
- Sacrificing health today for a tomorrow when they can “finally relax”
The irony is painful. We chase success thinking it will give us what the fisherman already possesses—contentment, connection, and control over his time.
Redefining Success On Your Own Terms
I’m not suggesting we all become fishermen or abandon ambition. My career has been built on helping people achieve extraordinary success. But true success must be defined on your own terms.
When I was CEO at Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment—the agency that inspired “Jerry Maguire”—I saw firsthand how easy it is to get caught chasing external markers of success while missing the point entirely. Many of our most financially successful clients were profoundly unhappy.
The goal isn’t to stop pursuing success, but to recognize when you already have what you’re ultimately seeking.
For some, building a business empire genuinely brings fulfillment. For others, like our fisherman, a simpler path provides everything they need. Neither is inherently right or wrong—the problem arises when we blindly follow cultural scripts about success without questioning if they align with our values.
Finding Your Enough
The most important question I ask my coaching clients is: “What’s your ‘enough’?”
Knowing your “enough” means understanding:
- How much money you actually need to live your ideal life
- What activities and relationships truly fulfill you
- Which achievements will bring genuine satisfaction versus endless craving
Without this clarity, you risk becoming the businessman in our story—promising yourself a future reward that you could have today if you recognized it.
My own journey taught me this lesson the hard way. I’ve experienced tremendous financial success and devastating bankruptcy. Through these extremes, I discovered that my happiest moments weren’t tied to my bank account but to being present with loved ones and doing meaningful work.
The fisherman isn’t a cautionary tale about lack of ambition—he’s a master of knowing his “enough.”
As you pursue your goals, I encourage you to regularly ask yourself if you’re postponing happiness for some future state, or if—like the wise fisherman—you might already have access to what truly matters. The answer might transform not just how you work, but how you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this story suggesting we shouldn’t strive for business growth?
Not at all. The point isn’t to avoid ambition or growth, but to be intentional about why you’re pursuing it. Growth that aligns with your values and definition of success is worthwhile. Just make sure you’re not sacrificing your current happiness for a future that promises the very things you could enjoy today.
Q: How can I determine what “enough” means for me?
Start by reflecting on when you’ve felt most fulfilled and content. Was it during achievement or during connection? What financial level would allow you to live comfortably while doing what matters most? Try writing down what your ideal day looks like—you might find, like the fisherman, that many elements are accessible now without waiting for some future success.
Q: Doesn’t this mindset limit potential and achievement?
Knowing your “enough” doesn’t limit achievement—it focuses it. When you’re clear about what truly matters, you can direct your energy toward meaningful goals rather than chasing endless growth for its own sake. Some of the most impactful leaders I’ve worked with are those who defined success on their own terms rather than constantly moving the goalposts.
Q: How can ambitious people balance drive with contentment?
The key is pursuing ambition with awareness. Check in regularly about whether your current sacrifices align with your values. Build “fisherman moments” into your daily life—times when you fully engage with what matters most. And periodically reassess whether your definition of success has changed. Ambition and contentment aren’t mutually exclusive when your ambition is directed toward what truly fulfills you.
Q: What if I’ve been chasing the wrong definition of success for years?
It’s never too late to redirect. I’ve coached people who made major life changes after decades in careers that didn’t fulfill them. Start by identifying one small way you can incorporate more of what truly matters into your current life. You don’t have to abandon everything you’ve built—just gradually shift your focus toward what brings genuine satisfaction rather than what you think success should look like.