The Story of the Mexican Fisherman
The Story of the Mexican Fisherman (author unknown) is a favorite of mine and one I re-read frequently. If you haven’t read this, do yourself a favor and take 2 minutes to take this in.
An American investment banker 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 siestas with my wife, Maria, and stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”
The American scoffed. “I have an MBA from Harvard, and can help you,” he said. “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, and eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middle-man, you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening up your own cannery. You could control the product, processing, and distribution,” he said. “Of course, you would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually to New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “Oh, 15 to 20 years or so.”
“But what then?” asked the Mexican.
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time was 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 American said, “Then you could retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos.”
The How and Why of Goals
Episode 5 of the Intentional Living Podcast with Jim Crider & Cade Grimm
What’s This Episode About?
Jim Crider and Cade Grimm dive deep into what goals are really for — and why so many people set them the wrong way. From New Year’s resolutions that fade by February to goal lists disconnected from real purpose, this episode explores how to build goals that actually create momentum and meaning.
Understanding the Real Role of Goals
Q: Why do most people fail at goal-setting?
A: Because they start at the wrong place. Jim explains that goals should flow from values — the deeper motives behind what matters most. Without this anchor, people chase arbitrary goals that look impressive but don’t bring fulfillment.
Example: Jim once had a goal to own a private airplane, but what he truly valued was ease of travel. Once he recognized that, the entire goal shifted.
The Framework: Values → Goals → Decisions → Actions
Q: What’s the right order for lasting change?
- Values — Identify what’s truly important.
- Goals — Translate those values into tangible objectives.
- Decisions — Weigh trade-offs and opportunity costs.
- Actions — Take consistent, aligned steps forward.
Most people skip the first two and live in “reaction mode,” bouncing between quick decisions and short-term action without direction.
Are Goals Enough?
Q: If I just write down my goals, will that work?
A: Not by itself. The purpose of a goal isn’t to chain you to a single outcome — it’s to clarify your next best step.
“What’s the one thing I can do such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?” — The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan
SMART Goals Still Matter
Jim and Cade revisit the classic SMART goal formula — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Writing goals down increases your odds of success by 42%, and sharing them with someone boosts it to 64%.
But beware: publicly announcing goals can actually hurt your follow-through. Research from Peter Gollwitzer shows that sharing goals too soon gives your brain a premature dopamine hit — a sense of accomplishment before you’ve done the work.
Accountability That Actually Works
Q: Should I share my goals on social media?
A: Probably not. Public praise gives a short-term dopamine rush that replaces the satisfaction of progress. Instead, share with an accountability partner who asks:
- “How many miles did you run this week?”
- “What actions did you take toward your goal?”
That’s accountability — not applause.
Small Wins Build Big Momentum
Jim points to the “Couch to 5K” method as a model: start with micro-actions like putting on your shoes. Those tiny, consistent wins create momentum and confidence. Cade compares it to the debt snowball method — early victories keep motivation alive.
Bringing It Home: Goals That Reflect Your Life
Jim and his wife Kendra practice this every year through a “goal box.” They list what they’re thankful for, set new goals, and revisit last year’s progress together — keeping everything rooted in faith, family, and growth.
Cade and his wife use a shared note on their phones, checking in on family and personal goals together. Both remind us that gratitude keeps you grounded and reflection keeps you from drifting into autopilot.
Takeaways from This Episode
- Start with why. Every meaningful goal begins with clear values.
- Anchor goals in your season. Let them inform your next step, not your forever plan.
- Write them down. Written goals increase focus and accountability.
- Share selectively. Tell people who will truly hold you to it.
- Celebrate small wins. Progress compounds through consistency.
Favorite Moment
“The purpose of a goal is to inform the best next step — not to chain you to a future outcome.” — Jim Crider
Listen & Subscribe
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Episode Info
- Hosts: Jim Crider & Cade Grimm
- Series: The Intentional Living Podcast
- Episode: 5 — The How and Why of Goals
- Publisher: Intentional Living FP
- Published: October 28, 2025
