I often get asked what does “It’s called fishing not catching” mean

So I asked GPT Chat….

“The phrase “it’s called fishing, not catching” is a common saying that means that in the activity of fishing, the goal is not always to catch fish, but rather to enjoy the process of fishing itself. It suggests that the joy and satisfaction of fishing come not only from catching fish but also from being out in nature, spending time with friends or family, or simply enjoying the peacefulness of the environment.

It continues…

This phrase can be applied more broadly to other areas of life as well, reminding us to appreciate the journey and process rather than focusing solely on the end result or outcome. In other words, it encourages us to find joy and fulfillment in the experience of doing something, rather than just the outcome of that activity.”

So then I chatted with GPT a bit about the SVB crash and asked it to write a post from that…

Here is its post.

Hey everyone,

As a startup CEO, one of the most important things you need to remember is to be persistent. Persistence is the key to success in the startup world, and to be able to be persistent, you need to manage your cash well. It’s your number one job. This is a lesson that was learned the hard way during the .com crash, and it’s something that every startup CEO needs to keep in mind.

Back in the early 2000s, the .com crash had a huge impact on the startup ecosystem. Many startups failed because they were unable to weather the storm and ran out of cash. And even those that were well-funded were not immune to failure, as evidenced by the collapse of Commerce One. It was a stark reminder that no matter how much money you have in the bank, if you don’t manage your cash well, your startup can still fail.

Fast forward to today, and we have the recent Silicon Valley Bank failure, which has caused fear in the market. This fear can be just as damaging to startups as any external event, such as the 9-11 tragedy during the .com crash. However, as I always say, it’s called fishing, not catching. The key to building a successful startup is to enjoy the process of building a company, and not to focus solely on the end goal. Yes, it’s important to be mindful of the market conditions and manage your cash well, but it’s also important to enjoy the journey. Building a startup is hard work, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

So, to all the startup CEOs out there, remember to stay persistent, manage your cash wisely, and enjoy the journey. Your startup’s success may not come overnight, but with hard work, determination, and a love for what you do, you can overcome any obstacle and build something truly great.

Best,

Ben T Smith IV. (Actually GPT Chat trying to be me)