Parable of Sufficiency

A parable that I heard on the PersonalMBA by Josh Kaufman goes something like this: 

An executive was on a holiday and one morning he was standing at the pier in a fishing village when he watched a fisherman dock his boat and haul his catch for the day - one large fish - to the market. He spoke to the fisherman and asked him if that was his catch for the day; to which the fisherman replied in  the positive. Ok, said the executive and continued to ask the fisherman why he didn’t get more fish. The fisherman replied that this catch brought him enough resources to take care of his loved ones. Oh! Exclaimed the executive, so what do you do for the rest of the day asked the executive to the fisherman. To which the fisherman replied, I go home play with my kids, have a siesta with my wife, go to the town in the evening, meet my friends and play on my guitar. The executive was obviously uncomfortable with the fisherman's response. The executive continued - let me help you he said - I am a Harvard grad and a successful executive in a promising firm. As a fisherman you could increase your earnings by spending more time out at sea, and hauling in a bigger catch to fetch more money. And what then, asked the fisherman and the executive replied - why you can invest in a bigger boat, probably hire some hands and bring in more fish to make more money and grow to be a very rich man. And what then asked the fisherman - well after that said the executive, you can go home and play with your kids, have a siesta with your wife, go to the town in the evening, meet your friends and play on your guitar. As the executive completed his sentence he saw the puzzled look on the fisherman's face.

And so it follows that the executive went back, resigned his job, and opted for a better lifestyle - i suppose.

The PersonalMBA uses this parable to discuss setting revenue targets for a firm. 

However this parable resonates with me as I rush through the day, moving from task to task, accomplishing my work demands and reserving little energy for pursuits of the soul. I'm definitely not for staying away from contributing to the GDP - I derive great pleasure and fulfillment from my job, but this parable makes me think about how much of my limited time and energy do I invest into my professional growth so that I can go home to have fun with my family, friends, and hobbies; or simply sit back and relax with a cup of tea. The balancing act continues.