He built an empire around the idea of taking it easy.
Think about that for a moment… let it soak in. Is taking it easy always a good thing? Something to be admired?
Before you answer, consider this…
- Is he a great musician? Well, not really… but he’s a crazy good songwriter.
- Does he have an awesome voice? Again, not really. It’s pleasant enough (apparently). His sound is like your friend singing and playing guitar with everyone joining in.
- He’s definitely not lazy. Since I’ve never met him, I don’t know that as a fact. But, I’m willing to bet he’s a rather industrious guy.
Here’s some noteworthy trivia reported in The New York Times…
Mr. Buffett hasn’t stopped touring in his nearly half-century as a performer.”
— Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Wow! My point is this… Here’s a guy who’s worked hard enough to do a hell of a lot with some fairly average talent and a ridiculously simple idea.
For this post, the question becomes—Is Jimmy Buffett living an “untucked” life?
Visitors who’ve been to LifeUntucked.net seem to pick up on a similar laid-back vibe. And that’s part of it, but not all of it.
Recently though, I’ve figured out it just might be closer than I originally imagined.
The part that may not be immediately obvious is the doing a lot with the talent you’ve got in a way that makes you and others around you feel better off.
Two important elements that I see in answering what’s LifeUntucked all about are—
- This one life is way too important to be taken too seriously. If that sounds counterintuitive, it’s because it’s meant to. When we over do the serious part, we tend to mess things up.
- And, when people allow themselves to lighten-up, they get a clearer view and are able to live fuller lives.
Now, whom does that sound like?
It takes no more time to see the good side of life than it takes to see the bad.”
—Jimmy Buffett
So, let’s explore Jimmy’s take it easy empire…
- I’ll start by going out on a limb to say he’s made a lot of people happier than they might otherwise have been. That’s clearly one in the plus column.
- It’s reported that he only drinks margaritas occasionally these days. Put a hashmark in the column you see fit.
- Jimmy, of course, has an amazingly huge following of loyal fans. (plus column)
- He definitely has a gift that numerous books written have only attempted to capture. (plus column)
Going back to that opening line… Is there anything wrong with that? Anything wrong with making the idea of taking it easy a lucrative venture?
What if your ambition was not for success or money but for the in-betweens?”
—Jimmy Buffett
Could we accurately say that he’s built a rather full life around the same idea?
I’ve made that statement many times in mixed company (Parrot Head and non-Parrot Head) and it always gets a laugh. Or, at least an envious smile.
Now, let’s imagine for a moment how he might have pulled it off.
You work hard for something… something you earn, something you build over time. He was no overnight success by any standard.
He’s honest, authentic, and real. At least that’s what I see.
This one doesn’t sound like a guy after an empire…
I have always looked at life as a voyage, mostly wonderful, sometimes frightening. In my family and friends, I have discovered treasure more valuable than gold.”
— Jimmy Buffett
I’d call that good counsel.
The imaginary Margaritaville… an empire built around the idea of taking it easy.
You know, compared to all the other empires out there, this one ain’t bad. (word choice intentional)
Be untucked.
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Copyright © 2019 Jeff Meister
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