Catching Big Fish

I don't really put pressure on myself to write blogs all the time. But I do to take notes, write down stories, and share things that I deem worthy enough for your eyes to feast on and your mind to digest.

I just got back from an annual girls fishing trip that I more than look forward to all year long. Seriously, I'm ready to get back out fishing right now. We could have not caught a thing for three days and I would still be incredibly content with being immersed in new places and nature. 

As fall rolls around in small business there is a lot on my mind and on my plate. This year as a much needed practice, I've made boundaries in my work and in my home life. If you look at the last blog entry I talk about rest. What has been on my mind this fall.....rest and investing back into myself. Most times that is with travel, hobbies, and classes.

Something I am practicing is how I learn. From others and from myself. How do I ask questions to be open to grow in my skills? How do I put up walls when receiving information? How do I let those walls down? How do I apply what I've learned moments (hours, days, a lifetime) later? 

I often reference fitness in my analogies but this time it will be fishing. Fishing and I go way back, it got me through a lot and even more the people who took time to teach me. (<-- still true today)

Fishing is not for everyone, but it is truly special to me. It's you, your gear, nature, and sometimes some lucky person happy to sit next to you and just be content in the wild. There is skill to this hobby and there is sheer luck. I'm getting off track here so I'll reel us back in. (See what I did there *smug face) 

This annual fishing trip really confirmed this year's reset in my brain. The fish were popping. Seriously, hitting our lines and the top of the water like it was a feeding frenzy of fun. It really gets your adrenaline going the possibilities of what is on the line. There are split seconds to react and how you do drastically influences the outcome. 

I've been on a few fishing trips over the year's and each captain is different. In the past they have just toted us out in the water, loaded our bait up, put a rod in our hand, and just let us fish. But my technique has really changed this year. I've devoted more time to just picking up a rod and heading out the door. Just like having my sketchbook with me and putting in the practice, I have to do the same with my fishing. If I want to stay health and be stronger I have to wake up early and workout.  

Okay, now to the meat of this entry. This annual fishing trip is much different, let me tell you why.

I lost a lot of fish on this trip, found a lot of snags, and broke a lot of line. Thank goodness for the patience of those around me and the patience and grace I gave myself. In those moments I could dwell on what was missed out or recover, gather thoughts, analyze, and put in the work to be better. I chose the latter. 

Letting myself listen to the captain and to myself landed my personal best, 40" and 25+ pound snook. 

My pole doubled over and there wasn't a doubt that fish was on that line. But the fight had just begun. "Keep that tension, let him run, reel reel reel, keep that tension" the captain giving me coaching encouragement as I fought in this monster of a fish. I was in the zone.

The day before we had caught 50+ fish using different methods. I learned how to help apply the brakes to my reel and help my drag, I also learned how you can overdo that and break your line. This time I had to feel the fish. Let me also tell you it was dark out with minimal light, 4am, smack dab in the middle of the water on a boat. I had never brought in a fish this big and so I really had to trust my captain and myself. 

"Keep the tension, feel where he wants to go and keep that tension, reel reel reel, he has no where to go but the ocean" in those moments I was open to receiving coaching, mentoring, and let the knowledge and skills of others lead me.

As this monster of a fish made surface at the side of our vessel, I knew the whole fight still could have been lost. "He's not ready, keep that tension, bring him back". It didn't count until that thing was in the boat.

We got him in! If you sign up for my newsletter you may see my beaming face with that crazy giant fish.

Do you ever have those moments in life of surreal surrender and accomplishment. This was one of those times. I've experienced them a lot this year...I've lost projects, wasn't juried in, turned down, and designs discarded. But I've landed a lot of big fish this year. A lot of those I've celebrated with you all and a lot I have celebrated on my own.

I truly appreciate every experience and opportunity to learn from others and apply that knowledge. In business, art, and life. This year I’ve been setting new marks for the upcoming year. Experimental series, pushing designs, going after a different client, taking more classes, being a mentor and finding a mentor to challenge me. Just to name a few.

Wrapping up this entry with these take aways: Trust, courage, and most importantly silencing myself and being open to listening and learning.

Cheers to this 2024 year and all the lost fish to learn and land those big fish. Here is looking at all the fishing ahead in 2025! As always, thank you for being a part of this artistic journey!

KTurner