The Fisherman's Secret: Embracing Your Present Reality

The fisherman parable that opens this episode perfectly captures a universal struggle: sacrificing present joy for future rewards that look exactly like the life we're currently avoiding. Through personal reflection and practical wisdom, I explore how I spent years traveling to beautiful places—Ireland, the Netherlands, Sicily—without truly experiencing them because my mind was always fixated on future planning.

This pattern of postponement ("I'll watch that show when I have more free time" or "I'll enjoy life after achieving financial freedom") creates a dangerous cycle where we chase happiness that perpetually remains just beyond our reach. The secret lies in understanding that we can simultaneously appreciate our present reality while working toward meaningful goals.

I share ten actionable strategies to break this cycle, including removing possessions that trigger negative emotions, practicing forgiveness, starting each day with an intentional smile, and recognizing that our capacity for experiencing the full spectrum of human emotion—from joy to suffering—is itself a miracle worth appreciating. Perhaps most importantly, I emphasize loving your work (or having the courage to change it), finding better solutions to old problems, and conquering the addictions that distract us from living fully.

The question I leave you with is simple yet profound: Are you the businessman or the fisherman in your own life? Have you been so focused on tomorrow that you've forgotten to experience today? Share your thoughts in the comments or message me directly—your experience might help someone else recognize the life they already have.

Chapters

• 0:00 The Fisherman and Businessman Parable
• 3:18 Recognizing My Journey Without Enjoying It
• 7:21 Living in the Present Moment
• 8:56 Tips 1-3: Past, Forgiveness, and Smiling
• 11:30 Tips 4-6: Appreciating Today, Loving Work
• 15:35 Tips 7-10: Future Balance and Avoiding Distraction
• 21:04 Conclusion and Call to Action

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

What if the life you always wanted is already within your reach, but you just cannot see it. One day, a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach with, you know, his fishing stick in the sand. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the possibility of catching some fish. You know, about that time a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to reduce, you know, some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. So the businessman said you are not going to catch many fish in this way. You know, if you lay down like that, you should be working rather than lie on the beach. The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied and what is going to be my reward? Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish. This was the businessman's answer. And then what is going to be my reward, asked the fisherman, still smiling. And the businessman replied Well, you will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish. Okay, okay. And then I mean, what is going to be my reward? Asked the fisherman. Again, the businessman was beginning to get a little bit irritated with the fisherman's questions. You can buy a bigger boat and hire some people to work for you. He said All right, repeated the fisherman. And then what will my reward be? The businessman was getting angry, guys, and he said don't you understand? You can build up a caravan of fishing boats, sail all over the world and let all your employees catch fish for you. And once again the fisherman asked Okay, and then what will my reward be? So the businessman guys was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman Don't you understand that? You can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again? You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach looking at the sunset. Do you understand that? So the fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said and what do you think I'm doing right now? Hi guys, my name is Fabio from Journey to Success and Welcome.

Speaker 1: 3:25

My fiance shared this story with me that, I have to say, fascinates me because it mirrored my own life and, for sure, the life of most of you seeking success, wishing to travel, you know, wishing to invest in healthy food, where I just realized recently that I'm already doing it, as I speak to you right now. I'm already doing it and guess what? I'm not earning even a cent from this podcast. Despite that, today, I love the process, the path, the journey to success. I say today because it is something I learned recently. Truly, I never realized that. I never realized that it's about the journey, it's about enjoying the journey. It is's pretty fun. If you think about it, if you think about the title of my podcast, you know you can walk this path, of course, pursue your dreams and face your challenges, but all while enjoying your life Okay, spending time with your family and your friends that's very important and taking care of yourself in the present moment. All right, that's what we're talking about today, but, of course, as always before, to go forward, please subscribe. So I know this is the right direction to drive you, to lead you, to guide you towards your journey to success.

Speaker 1: 5:10

And let's get started. Let's get started. Who are you right now? Are you the businessman or the fisherman?

Speaker 1: 5:22

I've been a businessman for so many years that I forgot to enjoy the life for a while. Honestly, I traveled to beautiful places, but still worked as an employer and decided to live in Ireland for a while to improve my English, but I was just too much focused on reaching achievements that I thought were fundamental to fulfill my life at that time, you know. So after a while I ended up in the Netherlands, in Amsterdam. After less than a year COVID hit, and even then I could ground myself better in the present moment, before and after COVID, but I didn't. I was just too much focused on my future. I was trying to understand what I really want to do with my life. Let's not even talk about all the times I returned to my family in Italy or Switzerland where my family lives. I only struggled with my computer, trying to figure out how to plan my future.

Speaker 1: 6:41

And before Ireland, before the Netherlands also, I was in Sicily with a cute house in front of a lake, but I couldn't enjoy my life as I wished. Cute house in front of a lake, but I could enjoy my life as I wished because my projection was towards the future, always about the future. It's funny. Until a few months ago I used to say things like okay, I will watch the TV show in a few years, when I have more time, or I will play the game when I achieve financial freedom. I was always looking ahead.

Speaker 1: 7:12

Of course, it is important to see the big goals in front of you okay, but what I've learned over the years is that it is even more important not to lose touch with the present. And you know what, guys, you can do both. It's not easy, it's not, but you can keep your reality grounded in the present. Keep your reality grounded in the present and, at the same time, look forward to the big goal and the small steps you want to pursue towards the future. Today, I would like to share with you 10 steps, 10 tips for starting to live in the present moment.

Speaker 1: 7:51

You know we often focus on goals, planning and scheduling for the future, but what about the life we are living right now? It is becoming more and more difficult to realize that we already have the life we once wished to have. All right, so I'm just here to remind you that I read a quote that it is very, very, very beautiful quote. That it is very, very, very beautiful. The quote says the secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. Beautiful. Yeah, here I have 10 tips that are going to help you guys so actually are going to help us, because I need as well and they are going to help us how to live in the moment. So let's start.

Speaker 1: 8:56

Number one remove unneeded possessions. To live better in the present and to plan for a better future, it is important to let go of past objects that have hurt you so. So, in my opinion, making peace with your past is fundamental. Guys, you should always aspire to avoid regrets and learn from your missteps or unfortunate events, okay. However, if an object reminds you of something unpleasant, or if a thought evokes feelings you would rather not reconsider, it's perfectly okay to put aside, maybe in the box or something. These items are still part of your life. You have not to neglect them. You know what I mean, and everything you have experienced has taught you valuable lessons that can benefit your present. Okay, remember that. However, it's important to recognize that you don't need to direct your current energy towards your past. You don't need to direct your current energy towards your past. So it is great to use your past experiences as valuable life lessons for the present, but it is not okay to use your present energy, time and space to dwell on those past experiences. Okay, number two Forgive past hurts. This is kind of related to the first concept, so it is important to forgive. Only by forgiving you move forward and use all the leftover energy and time for yourself.

Speaker 1: 10:50

Okay, number three smile, smile. Start with a smile. Start, start with a smile, start the day with a smile. I know it can be hard sometimes, but beginning your day with a smile is like pushing the first domino in the chain reaction. You know so when you do this, you feel more in control every morning because your mood shifts towards a positive attitude. So you naturally become more optimistic, feel luckier in your environment and attract less negative situations. Okay, number four Fully. Appreciate the moments of today. The sounds of the ocean, the smells of nature, the emotions, the triumphs, the suffer. Can you imagine that we are capable of this? We are capable to suffer. We are capable to cry, to express emotions. It's just beautiful. We are little miracles in this world. We have to remind us, we have to remember that If we have suffered in the past, it means we have truly lived. If we are breathing right now, it means we still have the opportunity to win or lose, to achieve or to emotionally experience everything that surrounds us in the future. Okay, think about that.

Speaker 1: 12:30

Number five love your job and if you don't love it, change it. And if you don't love it, change it. Don't feel stuck. We only live once. If you are unhappy with your current position, it may be because you haven't fully understood what you want to do in your life. Or maybe you know what you want, but you don't like your current job. It's also possible. That's okay, but then it means that it's time to find something else. You know you might be thinking it's not that easy, but I can tell you it is easy. It is, it is easy. I moved countries twice and found many jobs, guys, even after getting fired several times. So, okay, it is not easy to navigate this emotional twist. Fair enough, that's for sure, but it is at least easy enough to consider changing jobs and making the first steps.

Speaker 1: 13:37

Looking forward, your problem is that you're not willing to invest the time and energy into pursuing something that could make you happier in the future, because you may feel comfortable in your comfort zone, which is totally understandable, which is totally understandable. But if that is the case, don't complain if you continue to hate your job. It is a stupid cycle and you must break it in one way or another. Okay, let's say that maybe you actually like your job In that situation, try to identify aspects you love and perhaps turn those aspects into a career. But, as I said before, if you don't like anything at all about it, the advice is to change it. Remember, guys, you only live once. You are not a vampire from Twilight. We live just once in this life.

Speaker 1: 14:40

Okay, number six dream about the future, but work today. It is perfectly fine to dream, but make sure your dreams have purpose, otherwise you just risk wasting energy and time. So working today is always the first step toward realizing your dreams for tomorrow. At the same time, don't lose view of the present moment. So learn how to balance your current life with your future self, your version 2.0. This is something I struggle for like a decade, guys, so please learn from my missteps. I know it is hard, though, so I understand that.

Speaker 1: 15:30

Number seven don't dwell on past accomplishments. Don't dwell on past accomplishments. If you are still talking about how much influence you had in high school, it may indicate that you have not achieved enough in recent years, while it is important to be present, since that's what we are talking about today in this episode. It is also important to be focused on creating successful memories for your future self, with less gap. This way, when you look back and not so far you'll be able to cherish the memories you make today.

Speaker 1: 16:15

Okay, but the next question is how can you achieve this situation without losing a view of your present? How can you focus on the future? Meanwhile, you try to be grounded in the present. While you try to be grounded in the present, for example, personal example, my case as I'm writing this, I've managed to write 1,800 words in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Honestly, I'm proud, proud of myself and, who knows, maybe I'm going to manage to enjoy with my fiancé this evening Hopefully I'm still recording here, so we don't know that, but I can share this accomplishment at dinner. You know. I can share this accomplishment to her and I'm just happy about it and I'm very proud for it. And you're going to know pretty soon as well, like in a month. So try to reduce the gap between past accomplishments and future achievements and remember to cherish every kind of success. Guys, okay, nothing is banal when we talk about success.

Speaker 1: 17:52

Number four stop worrying. You cannot fully appreciate today if you worry too much about tomorrow and guess what? I'm not great at this either. I'm still working on it, but I acknowledge that. I acknowledge that that is the idea. That is the truth. When you worry, you waste energy on something that doesn't help you. Instead, if you worry less I don't say to not worry at all, because we are human beings and you know it is part to be human but if you worry less, you can redirect that energy towards something useful for your future. Okay, energy towards something useful for your future. Okay, number nine think beyond old solution to problem.

Speaker 1: 18:44

I want to share an example with you. If I am able to connect with you today, it is because I have tools that I couldn't have in the past. A podcast is essentially a small radio show, and today I don't need an expensive microphone to go live and it is easier than ever to set up a podcast, even if you have a not great microphone. I mean, thanks to AI, there are ways to enhance audio quality. You know? Another example. There are, of course, thousands of example, but let's say the most. They are close to me, uh. But another example as a youtuber, people often say they don't have the right camera, right, but with medium-cost smartphone you can have quite good camera. You know, to start your YouTube channel. Technology is evolving fast and this rapid progress can help you move forward, so don't feel stuck. There is always a solution, okay?

Speaker 1: 20:04

Number 10, conquer addictions. If you find yourself spending too much time scrolling on Instagram or, let's say, any social media, consider setting a timer within the app. This way, you can track how much time you spend on it, as a scrolling can easily become a habit that you know cause you to lose focus. Or, let's say, are you trying to stick to a diet but often end up eating candy or chocolate at home, for example? One simple solution is simply simply not to buy these snacks in the first place. You know, when you truly live without addictions is the best, because addiction can distract you from the present moment.

Speaker 1: 21:01

Guys, okay, all right. So I I'm sure you you like these uh 10 tips. That's it for today, and now I, as always, I would love to hear from you. Are you the businessman or the fisherman, and have you been so focused on the future that you forgot to enjoy the present? Hmm, let me know in the comments, or send me a message, and if this episode resonated with you, don't forget to share it with someone else. Your support, as always, means a lot to me and, of course, we can reach more people who need to hear it. Thank you so much for being here in Journey to Success and see you in the next time. Cheers.