A Lesson In Having Enough

The Fisherman & The Businessman Story

Author

Billy Hudspith
June 09, 2025

This weeks edition is thought-provoking, it’s a quick story that reminds us of the power of simplicity and the hidden cost of chasing "more."

The Story

A businessman, vacationing in a small coastal village, meets a fisherman sitting by his boat, enjoying the afternoon sun. Curious, the businessman asks how long the fisherman works each day.

"Not long," the fisherman replies. "Just enough to catch what I need. Then I spend time with my wife and children, enjoy good meals, take long walks, and play music with my friends."

The businessman sees an opportunity.

"If you fished more, you could earn extra money," he suggests. "Then you could buy a bigger boat, hire a crew, and expand your business. In a few years, you could own a whole fleet, make millions, and maybe even take your company public!"

The fisherman, unfazed, asks, "And then what?"

"Then," says the businessman, smiling, "you could retire, move to a quiet village, fish a little, spend time with your family, eat good food, and enjoy the simple life."

The fisherman chuckles. "But that's what I'm doing now."

The Moral?

We often convince ourselves that happiness lies on the other side of achievement, wealth, or status. That if we just do a little more, earn a little more, strive a little harder—then we’ll finally get to enjoy our lives.

But what if the life we’re working so hard for… is already within reach?

This story is a gentle reminder to check in with ourselves:

  • Are we chasing a dream that’s quietly available to us right now?

  • Are we measuring success in money, or in moments?

  • Are we trading presence for progress?

Of course, there's nothing wrong with ambition or building something meaningful. But when the end goal is peace, joy, connection, or freedom—it’s worth asking if those things are actually tied to the grind... or if they’re waiting patiently in the life we already have.

Of course, this might sound too simple. In a world that celebrates hustle, ambition, and achievement, the idea of slowing down or choosing "enough" can feel unrealistic—or even irresponsible.

And yes, we do want nice things. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming bigger, enjoying the fruits of our labor, or striving for a better life. But it’s worth pausing to ask: How much is enough? And what are we willing to trade for it?

Because at some point, the pursuit of more can start costing us the very things that matter most—time with our family, our health, our peace of mind. The constant striving can keep us so focused on the future that we miss the joy of the present.

So maybe the real question isn’t, “How do I get more?” but rather, “What do I actually need to feel fulfilled—and am I already closer than I think?”

This week, consider what enough looks like for you—not in terms of income or possessions, but in terms of meaning, joy, and connection. You might be surprised by how rich life already is.

The Ideal Day Exercise for you to do

Many people build their lives around what they’ve been told should matter: career milestones, income levels, social roles. But when you imagine an ideal ordinary day (not a vacation or fantasy), you start to uncover what feels right to your nervous system - not what looks good from the outside.

Objective: Uncover your core values and sense of balance

How to do it: What is your ideal day from start-to-finish?

Then ask: How much money, energy and freedom does this require?

Reflect: What does this tell you about what enough feels like to you?

Incase you already want more!

If you think someone could benefit from this weekly insight, please share!

See you next week

Billy Hudspith

Your Mindset & Habit Creator