5 MONTHS AGO • 3 MIN READ

The story of the Fisherman and the American Businessman

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Hi Reader

Hope you're not sweating your pants off if you are in London/Europe.


My hayfever is off the chart and I genuinely look like I've been punched in the face...fun!

When I was in the depths of trying to figure out what was next in my career I heard this story and it made me realise the importance of two things: a) figuring out what you really want and b) how following someone elses version of success just takes you on a huge detour if you aren't careful.

An investment banker is on holiday in a sleepy Mexican fishing village.
He’s standing on the pier one morning when a small boat pulls in. One fisherman. A handful of massive yellowfin tuna.
The banker’s impressed. “Those are some serious fish,” he says. “How long did it take you to catch them?”
The fisherman shrugs. “Not long.”
“So why don’t you stay out longer and catch more?”
The fisherman smiles. “I’ve got enough to support my family. The rest of the time I sleep in, fish a bit, play with my kids, take a nap with my wife, wander into the village at night for wine and music with my friends. It’s a full life.”
The banker laughs. “You don’t get it. I went to Harvard. I could help you.”
He launches into a plan. Fish longer. Sell the surplus. Buy a bigger boat. Then a fleet. Cut out the middleman. Open your own cannery. Move to the city. Scale. Raise capital. Launch an IPO. Make millions.
The fisherman listens quietly. Then asks, “How long would that take?”
“Fifteen, maybe twenty years.”
“And then?”
“Well,” the banker says, grinning, “that’s the best part. You retire. Move to a small village. Sleep in. Fish a bit. Play with your kids. Take naps with your wife. Wander into the village at night for wine and music with your friends.”
The fisherman nods slowly. “Isn’t that what I’m already doing?”


It's so easy to follow the "traditional" success route of more more more if you aren't really clear what you are working towards and what you want out of your life and career.


Instead of freedom - more becomes like an anchor.

The bigger job title

The bigger pay check

The bigger car/house/insert other things here

All of it starts to feel empty because it isn't tied to what you really truly care about.

Knowing what you want is critical to your next career move.

And I would bank that the reason you are overwhelmed and productively procrastinating so much is because you lack direction.

And without direction - you can't make confident decisions.

Which is exactly why I’m opening up Clarity for Summer a 2-week sprint for those of you who are done circling the same questions about their career, and want to feel clear and in control about their next move.

Clarity for Summer gives you the tools, space, accountability and structure to move forward and figure out your direction without the endless introspection, overwhelm or decision fatigue.

No fluff. No pressure. Just 10 short prompts and a simple framework to help you stop spiralling every weekday over two weeks.

The exact prompts that I asked myself and I guide my clients through to make bold forward decisions.

And because I am launching it my birthday week (w/c 7th July)

It’s only £98 (I know right. insane)

But wait there's more as a thank you for being on my list.

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And there are some hella good bonuses to go with this sprint too.

If that sounds like what you need or you’re just curious - you can find all the info here


Have a great weekend when you get there -

Yasmin (it's too hot) Da Rocha.

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The career newsletter with a bite.

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