Fishing is an interesting undertaking. It can be as simple as showing up to a lake in Nebraska where Game and Parks has their Urban Fisheries Trailer set up. It’s called Family Fishing Nights, where rods and reels, as well as bait and fishing instruction are available. Our family attended an event recently and much to my pleasure, and theirs as well, my children caught several fish. This has submitted into their minds the idea that fishing is fun and they are successful. If only it was always that way.
I heard a story told by a law enforcement officer once of a man traveling at speeds that exceeded the posted limit. This man was traveling in a pack of cars all exceeding the limit. Upon being pulled over and being issued a ticket the man complained that he was the only one and asked the officer why he was getting a ticket, while the others got away. The officer simply replied. “Ever been fishing?’ The man said yes. The office then asked, “Did you ever catch ALL the fish?” With that, the man went on his way. (obviously this officer was not inclined to practicing Catch and Release)
There are a lot of correlations that can be made to fishing. Just visit a small bible teaching church and I’m sure you’ll hear several. For other practical analogies, just hang out where fishermen tell stories. For me though, I’m not really a fishing fanatic. I love the excitement of getting a fish on the line, and I thoroughly love the ‘fight’. I even enjoy the fry with fish and chips at the end of the day. What keeps me away though is the lack of success. It takes a lot of work. You have to study the fish, know their habitat, what they like to eat, when they eat, and most importantly, how to make what I have look like what they want to eat, and offering it when they want to eat it. To me, fishing is about as laborious as reading that last sentence, especially when I get done and I don’t have anything to show for it. The thing I liked best about the night with Game and Parks and the joys of the Urban Fisheries Trailer, is that I did not have to try to untangle my children’s fishing rods. I did not have to try to guess what lures might the fish be attracted to. I also didn’t have to tie on a single hook. This was all done for me. All I had to do was show up. Sign my kids names and pull the hooks out after they caught them.
I guess life is a lot like fishing. Whether you are looking for a job, selling a product, or finding a mate, I’ve heard it’s good to find out what the company is looking for and then tell them how you have what they want/need. It’s all about identifying your target, finding the right lure and presenting it properly. I often enjoy watching my kids practice the skills of fishing while playing with the other kids. I especially like the ‘take away’. “Well if you’re not gonna play by the rules, I’m gonna take my ball and go home.” What a great ploy! Take away whatever you want them to have and they will want it more. Why? Because people want what they can’t have. Tell people that they can have an IPad for $199, so what, everyone can get one. Tell them that’s it’s only $199 for a limited time and they’ll line up. Or better yet, price it higher so only a few can afford it easily, but not so high that it’s is completely unattainable and they will save their money, not spend it on someone else’s product and focus on getting the elusive IPad.
This, my friends, was just a lesson in goal setting. Don’t make the goal so easy that anyone can easily achieve it. Instead, set it out there just far enough that they have to focus and work on it. But don’t set them up for failure by making the goal so far and hard to reach that they will never attempt it because it is unbelievable. Set it just far enough out there that they won’t become discouraged. Then, give them little bites along the way. Make some smaller goals. These are goals that can be reached with only a little effort and focus. Just like fishing, it’s the excitement that builds to the main event. It’s thinking about seeing that fish on the hook that you’re tying on the line that helps you tie a good knot. It’s the thought of the worm being sucked up by the fish that gets you to put the hook through the wiggly slimy worm. It’s the little nibbles that you feel that stand the hair up on the back of your neck while you are waiting for the moment.
It’s the power of association. The one thing that can keep you going after a long eventless day of fishing is seeing someone reel in a big fish not far from where you are. It is this reassurance that you’re in the right place at the right time to catch one for yourself. This is what can keep you going, especially if he just caught a whopper. Seeing someone else succeed right next to you is one of the most affirming things you can experience. It tells you that you are doing almost everything right. For a fisherman, it all comes down to just one question. “What were you using?”
I’m headed out now. I’ve got a friend who wants to go fishing so I am going to go get my rod and reel ready. I’m gonna check my tackle and get my license. I think this time might be just a bit different. What is it in life that you’re fishing for? Are you using the right bait? How’s your presentation? Are you hanging around other successful people?
Happy Fishing!
I want to go fishing!