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I have been fishing for as long as I can remember, and to this day, when I have free time or need to clear my head, I go out on the boat and settle in with my rod. As a child, I spent whole days on the water with my father, coming up with some of my most intimate experiences. It not only left special memories for me and those with whom I shared this experience, but also helped me become the business leader that I am today. You may ask: “How so?” Well, first of all, fishing requires patience, time, skill, understanding and perseverance; all these qualities are necessary for you as a business leader.
Like fishing, business is a numbers game. You must throw and keep throwing if you hope to be lucky enough to catch a fish in the end. After all, even the worst line anglers will catch a fish if they wait long enough. The same goes for business. In order to be successful, you need to develop your resilience and ability to stay put, because the vast majority of the time you won’t catch anything, but you shouldn’t let it defeat you.
The secret to catching fish is to constantly monitor changes and adapt to those changes. Returning to a favorite place that once brought success does not guarantee a new victory. Nothing stays constant in nature and you must keep taking risks and finding new strategies. Currents, temperatures, tides and seasons are just some of the variables that an angler must deal with. It is only after these uncontrollable variables are accounted for that considerations of skill, equipment, patience, and perseverance come into play.
I am the founder of a public relations firm that I started during the pandemic and I know that fishing was one of the experiences that shaped the skills that allowed me to be tenacious enough to build the business I have today. Here are five lessons fishing has taught me in business and in life:
On the subject: 5 things entrepreneurs can learn from fishermen
1. Patience
Sitting on a boat or at the water’s edge waiting for a bite, sometimes for endless hours, is a great opportunity to learn patience and the time it takes to succeed. There is no such thing as fast forward to success.
In both fishing and business, patience is vital because success doesn’t come overnight. It takes time to build a successful business, and setbacks and setbacks are part and parcel of the journey.
Leaders who are patient can navigate the ups and downs of business more effectively. They understand that building a great team, developing new products or services, and building a brand reputation takes time. Patient leaders don’t make rash decisions based on short-term results; rather, they are long-term oriented and focused on sustainable growth and development.
What’s more, patient leaders are more likely to develop positive relationships with their employees, customers, and partners. They understand that building trust and rapport takes time and consistent effort. They are also better equipped to hold back any impulsive reactions or responses. As a result, they are willing to invest time and resources in developing relationships and creating a culture of mutual respect and appreciation. In turn, this creates a more loyal and committed team that strives to achieve common goals and objectives.
In general, patience is an essential quality for success in fishing and business leadership. With patience, leaders can weather storms, build enduring relationships, and achieve long-term success.
2. Learn to enjoy the actions we do, as the pleasure is to be found in the action itself, not in the end result.
We, as a society, tend to place a lot of importance on getting to the finish line. But both in fishing and in business, it is not always a matter of a productive result. Sometimes when fishing, you have to work hard to go out to sea with all the necessary equipment and bait, but the fish just don’t bite, and you end up returning home empty-handed.
This also happens in business; you’ll spend hours working on a project or presentation for a client, but just because you put in the work doesn’t mean you’ll be successful every time. It’s part of business and a natural part of life. It is important to learn to enjoy the process. Find joy in research and work, and you will begin to adopt a more mindful and enjoyable approach, as well as continue to hone your craft.
3. Just because you have a bite doesn’t mean you’ll catch a fish.
As I said, it takes time and patience to create something worthwhile, and it’s the same with fishing. Just because you feel a little nibble here and there doesn’t mean you’re going to get that big client right out of the gate. However, this means that you are on the right track. If you never put your reel in, you will never catch anything. As in business, the worst answer is not “no” – it’s never try at all.
On the subject: Why patience and perseverance are the two greatest virtues
4. When you feel like you’re losing everything, the only mistake you can make is to keep your line out of the water.
Between low tides, both in fishing and in life, you should not wallow in self-pity or loss. Instead, you must submerge your line and your mind in water. Many people believe that they are least likely to catch fish at low tide, but on the contrary, this is the time when the likelihood of a good catch increases. Like the process of fishing, in life you have to try new things and be fully alive, waking up every day to live your life to the fullest.
5. Many of us do things with expectations; fishing teaches not
In fishing, as in life, unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and disappointment. For example, if a fisherman expects to catch a big fish every time he casts, he will likely be disappointed if he doesn’t. Similarly, in business, having unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration and frustration, which can negatively impact morale and productivity.
Having expectations can create a rigid mindset that can limit and prevent leaders from seeing opportunities or being flexible in their approach. When leaders have preconceived notions about how things should be, they may miss out on innovative ideas or creative solutions that could grow their business.
6. The ocean teaches us a deep lesson in life.
The ocean gives us great nourishment and beauty, but it can also cause us great pain. Just think about what happens to the sea when a storm comes over it.
This is roughly the case in the business world; it can be great and provide the livelihood we need, but it can also completely turn our lives upside down, creating unnecessary stress and chaos.
Many of us experience stress. Workplace stress is a global problem affecting workers all over the world. According to American Institute of Stress, work is one of the major sources of stress for American adults. In 2022, 83% of US workers reported work-related stress.
The ocean gives us a source of calm, once we understand its nature as a provider and as a disruptor – just like in the business world – we can find the balance we need to achieve.
Subject: I couldn’t sleep. I am obsessed with my failures. Then I found the strangest cure – fly fishing?
As you can see, fishing can be much more than just a pastime. This may be the very activity you need to hone in order to reach your biggest business goals. Fishing or similar activities are crucial for a leader because it’s also important to have time when you’re offline and unavailable. It’s like a plane without Wi-Fi. That’s when you can engage in critical thinking and give your brain a moment to recalibrate – cheers, as we say. If you are always connected and available, you are missing out on the important “your time” that makes you a better and more focused leader.
True success takes time and trust in the process. So, grab your bait, grab your line, and start thinking about your next business venture!