A new season: Time to go Fishin’

I have had a lot of customers come up to me and say, “Are you glad you’re finally done with the building?” My response is usually, “I still have so much to do!” You see, for me it is not about just having the biggest building (although I must say, that’s pretty cool!), but it’s mostly about how we can do it better. One of the biggest temptations successful companies face is to stop thinking big. After a taste of success, even the best and brightest leaders suddenly start to think complacently. When a company gets on a roll, some leaders tighten up and start playing it safe. They stop playing to win and begin playing not to lose.

Our goal here at Angler’s Covey is very simple: to have the best fly shop. Period. Of course that is going to mean different things to different people, but we are still going to strive to be the best that we can be. More that once, I have seen my favorite sports team lose their momentum and then lose the game because instead of playing to win, they began to play not to lose. They get ahead, but then they pull back and stop playing with the intensity that earned them the lead. I’m sure that you’ve seen this attitude in your own experience and possibly your own company.

I challenge you to honestly ask yourself this question: Am I playing to win or am I playing not to lose? You may have to define first what winning looks like in your life. Then take a quick look at the scoreboard to see how you’re doing. What goals are you kicking, etc…? The reality is that life is so short with so little time to really live it. I hate to be the one to tell you, but there is less time on the scoreboard than you might think! I try to live by (but often fail) the Latin statement, carpe diem, “seize the day”. I also just picked up another quote that has quickly become one of my favorites.

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid sideways –
Champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up,
totally worn out and screaming – WOO HOO – What a Ride!” Unknown

It takes both courage and optimism to live a life with a “WOO HOO – What a Ride” kind of passion. It takes courage because we have to challenge our fears each day so they don’t hold us back or trample our dreams. And it takes optimism so that we can embrace each day, remain in awe of the wonders of life, shake off the inevitable defeats and disappointments without too many tears, and to laugh with abandon at every age.

Spring is fast approaching and then it’s going to be summer. Have you started to plan your R&R (Rod and Reel) time? I say this only because I know that in my own life the urgent always seems to push aside what is important unless I schedule the important. For me, finding time on the river is therapy to the everyday grind. I feel that fly fishing is one of the best natural remedies to a stressful life.