"Everything ranks below 'are you breathing or not?'"

I recently had the opportunity to attend a keynote by professional fisherman, John Hoyer Wisconsin Lutheran College. Hoyer is the only angler with three National Walleye Tour Championship first-place finishes. He is also coming off his first Angler of the Year title.

His working career started with cutting the grass and shoveling snow at church. After an unsuccessful stint at North Dakota State University for civil engineering, he turned his summer job of carpentry into a full-time profession. Eighteen years later, he left that steady income and took a leap of faith to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time professional angler on TV.

Given all Hoyer's successes, my biggest takeaway had nothing to do with his accolades. Instead, it was a personal philosophy he shared with us that he developed while his late mother was going through cancer treatments:

"Everything ranks below 'are you breathing or not?'"

That phrase underscores the paramount importance of life itself over all other concerns or priorities. It's a potent reminder to prioritize well-being, to cherish the gift of life, and to seize each moment with purpose.

Reflect on this truth. Embrace its power. Let it ignite your passion and drive. Focus on what truly matters - your core values. Because in the end, being truly alive is the ultimate achievement.

#Fishing
#Values