70. The parable of the banker and the fisherman. The great resignation explained.

There once was a successful banker who traveled to Mexico for a well-deserved week’s worth of rest and relaxation. While there, the banker met a fisherman.

The banker asked the fisherman about his typical day. The fisherman reported that he fishes in the morning - just enough to feed his family - then takes a nap in the afternoon, and then plays cards and drinks wine with his friends in the evening.

The banker made a suggestion - spend the entire day fishing, save enough money to buy a bigger boat, hire help, and eventually, replicate the model by buying and leasing a fleet of boats.

“Why?” asked the fisherman. “Because after about 30 years you’ll have enough money that you can retire. At that point, you’ll have plenty of time to take naps in the afternoons and play cards and drink wine with friends in the evening.”

This parable is representative of the great resignation, which should actually be called the great “reprioritization.”

Generally speaking, sociocultural norms promote the banker mentality. Work hard now so that you can enjoy the future. But many are realizing that it’s important to enjoy the moment before it’s too late.

While not everyone will make a hard switch from the banker to fisherman mentality, many, at least, will be more aware of which mindset they’ve subconsciously chosen.