Fishing to Learn

Fishing to learn

“My big fish must be somewhere.”

-Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea

Like Father, Like SonMy father taught me how to fish at a young age. I loved the thrill of not knowing what was on the other end of the fishing line.

My first fishing memories were from a local park where I fished for carp with bread and hot dogs.

Growing up I didn’t have a lot of patience but fishing taught me how to appreciate my surroundings, stay in the moment, and most importantly, be patient.

“There’s a reason it’s called fishing and not catching,” my dad would say.

Family in FloridaBeginning in 1994, my family took summer vacation in a beachside paradise called Seaside. This is where I grew to love the water and the mystery beneath it. We’d rent kayaks and run through waves seeking adventure. I’d fish in the mornings, at lunch, and in the evening as everyone retreated to their cottages.

Family in Florida, Part IIDriving 12 hours east towards the Florida panhandle and Seaside was my favorite time of year. As we approached the water, my heart beat quickened and my mind freed of any worry. I looked for fishermen to see if there was any action on the water and I always was curious if there were any predators roaming the waters.

Chasing FishAt the University of Mississippi, I worked for the outdoor program and would take kayaks out weekly and fish on nearby lakes.

Having the opportunity to incorporate fishing into my work, I saw the characteristics, patience and adaptation, that I believed would transfer to other facets of my life. Because of fishing I’m more patient when dealing with corporate partners trying to build a marketing strategy and am able to adapt on the fly to reach a common solution.

Living the lessonThe two biggest lessons I’ve received from fishing are being patient and adapting to your surroundings. Both of these characteristics are essential to being successful in the workplace. And if you’re patient, the workplace can deliver some big fish.

Adapt and ThriveThe sports landscape is a crowded one and if you’re not first, you’re last. Through market research and analysis, I work to make brands relevant and always be a topic of discussion with fans.

No dropping a fly rodMy passion for fishing escalated even more when I discovered fly-fishing. In fly-fishing you constantly have to adjust your flies and presentation to the fish’s movements and personality. Sports fans can be related to fish as well. Fans are always changing their habits and as a sports marketer I have to be aware of the trends and adjust our brand strategy accordingly so we stay on top of the game.

“If fishing is a religion, fly-fishing is high church.” – Tom Brokaw

Don’t tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell

them where they know the fish.” – Mark Twain