How to Determine if your Why is “Real” by Janet Callaway

We are a week into the new year. People are still filled with the excitement of their plans and dreams. Numerous business associates and friends of mine selected a Word or Phrase to be their guide or mantra for the year. Focus, Organization, Commitment, social networking and “Break the Bright Shiny Object Syndrome” seem to be at the top of the list for many people.

As we set goals and embark on our journey to receive them, it is important to know Why we want our objective. If you think you “should” want it or because your neighbors have it, even if you acquire “it,” satisfaction will not be yours.

Though I do not know the author, following is a story that most of us have heard yet it is a powerful reminder for all of us. Know what you want, Why you want it and how your life will be different when you obtain it.

An American businessman 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 siesta 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, senior.”

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 NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senior, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then, senior?”

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, senior? 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 siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

Makes you think, doesn't it? Many people think, "I'll start a network marketing business and then I'll be rich." While you can certainly become rich by building a network marketing business, that is not why most people do it. Most people join the industry because they want to earn extra money for a car payment, to help with the mortgage or to send the children to college.

By knowing the "real" Why and the difference it will make in your life, it is much easier to keep going "when the going gets "tough." Whether you are starting a new business or learning a new skill like social media and social networking, know Why you are doing it and then you will likely be willing to invest the time to succeed.

Have you ever thought you wanted something only to discover that when you really thought about it you not only didn't want it you didn't even know why you ever thought you wanted it?