An Entrepreneur’s Tribute to ‘Deadliest Catch’ Phil Harris.

I normally don’t follow the news too closely, but as I was logging into my email I noticed a Yahoo! blog post written by Dave Nemetz that caught my attention.  It was an article about Discovery Channel’s ‘Deadliest Catch’ reality TV show’s star Phil Harris.

The title that captured my attention was ‘Deadliest Catch’: The Five Things We’ll Miss Most About Captain Phil.  (The link to the full article is below).  It was the 5 things I was curious to know about.

I caught the Discovery Channel’s show a few times and could hardly believe the resolve and resilience of Captain Phil and his crew aboard the Cornelia Marie to accomplish what they needed to do.

In reading Dave’s article, I couldn’t help but notice a strong correlation between the way Capt Phil lived his life and they way dedicated entrepreneurs live theirs.  While the lifestyle and personal preferences may vary, there are core values and characteristics (things in common I should say) that stood out.

Here’s what I learned about Phil Harris and the comparisons I made.

He was tough.  He met every challenge with strength. While he found himself sometimes facing disappointments, broken and unlatched cages, and fierce life-threatening storms, he always pressed through.  He had a game plan, he worked his plan and when “life happened”, he dealt with it.  He didn’t quit.  He gave all he had to the business, to his family, to others… and he did it with passion.

In comparison, entrepreneurs must have the ability to problem solve, stay the course and not allow life to get in the way of their ultimate goal.  Further, they must be willing to enjoy the journey.

We are all given special gifts and talents, interests and loves that God ingrained in us while we were still in our Mother’s wombs.  How beautiful it is when we can identify our passions and talents and develop those throughout our lives.

Many new entrepreneurs, especially home business owners in the network marketing industry are so quick to give up.  True entrepreneurs would not consider it.  After all, if God gave us such a strong desire for entrepreneurship, surely He’s equipped us for the task but we must do our part to move in that direction.

If Captain Phil were to have an “honest chat” with these individuals, I have a hunch he’d say something like,  “buck up and get it done, do what you need to do and quit making excuses.  You either want it or you don’t and if you do, go after it.  The only person stopping you is you.”  Phil knows what it’s like to make your own way and find your own success.

He had a sense of humor. Phil coined several crab jokes and no doubt his sense of humor carried him and lightened the mood of a sometimes weary crew.  My guess is through the good and bad times in his life, he found a place of laughter.

Likewise, we can’t take ourselves so seriously that we don’t laugh at ourselves, our mistakes and keep a sense of humor in tact.  Home business owners need a lesson in how to lighten up and have fun doing what they’re doing.  So many times I see entrepreneurs not having fun, not enjoying the journey, not willing to go through the learning curve with joy and keeping an eye on the end goal.  Laughter and humor is good for the soul and keeps everything in perspective.

The way he loved his sons. I had an opportunity to watch “After the Catch” tonight and listened in as Phil’s sons Jake and Josh along with fellow fishermen and friends shared memories and stories of days past.  There were re-run segments of previous episodes where Phil talked about his sons.  He wanted so much to prepare them for life, to set them up, to teach them everything he knew, to pass on lifeskills and teachings so that they could have great success in the industry.  He said he had to work to balance trying to be a father and a boss because he wanted them to learn everything and wondered if what he taught them this far would be enough.  His sons said, yes, he taught them well.  His sons told their Dad that “You taught me how to be a man”.

Someone on the show, I can’t remember who, speaking in general said sometimes a Dad isn’t sure if his kid can be responsible with something important, but when the kid has the opportunity to step up, they will do what’s right and will take responsibility.  It’s letting go and trusting in what you taught.

I think with network marketing entrepreneurship so often leaders, uplines, sponsors….. whatever title you want to bestow upon them, feel like they are responsible for the success of their downline members.  I see them want to do things for them to make it “easier”.  In reality, while it’s fine and good to help and offer training and support, there’s also a time to challenge and push for excellence.  Hand holding is no good, empowerment is.  A new network marketer cannot get strong if they don’t have to fight a little bit, sometimes even a lot.  But if the desire and commitment is there, one can achieve anything they want.  I’ve had more coaches and mentors tell me to “figure it out” than I care to say.  I also heard that from my folks and my teachers.  It challenges us to grow and be resourceful.

Phil knew when to be the Dad and when to be the boss.  Tender love, tough love.   Good leaders will give a direction and step out of the way with expectations that the new entrepreneur will take the ball and run with it.  They must.

Phil was a hard worker. Hard work is admirable, especially when it’s done with passion.  Phil was definitely passionate about his life.  It’s been said he only had friends.  And what he did do, he did with excellence.  Something learned about Phil is he made exotic and detailed bird cages from cedar.  They were pieces of art to behold.  Phil paid attention to the most intricate details in furniture and furnishings for these birdhouses…(these are equivalent to elaborate doll houses).

He lived life with passion and made time for the things he enjoyed.   Building birdhouses, riding his Harley, his sons and friends and running his business.

He was authentic. He didn’t care what others thought about him, he would call it like he saw it.   Never minced words but had the biggest heart.  So what if he wasn’t a morning person?  You still loved him.. he was real.    He didn’t change because of the show.  He was just who he was and that was that.  His boys said he had a soft side and even when he treated them hard, he was still soft… they saw right through him and others did too.

I even learned that he was happiest in his trailer.  He didn’t care about the mansions… he loved living in his trailer, making birdhouses and playing his music.

The reason I loved hearing this is because oftentimes new entrepreneurs think they have to prove their success through materials possessions yet it doesn’t align with who they are on the inside.  For example, myself.  I don’t have fancy cars and diamonds (in fact I don’t have any jewelry), a closet full of designer clothes and every water sport vehicle on the market.  I prefer daisies to roses.  I prefer a picnic than a 5 course meal at $200 per person.  It’s just who I am.  I live a humble lifestyle, yet one of choices.  I choose to be in the garden, to spend time with family and friends, to design scrapbook pages and head to the forests and canyons to hike and camp.  I love adventure and exploration but not a collection of ‘things’.

I sense that that was Phil and I admire him for living his core passions.  Money buys choices, financial security and comfort, however each defines that, that’s all.

Life is about being ourselves and living our lives in a way that we stay true to our core values, morals and beliefs.  Sharing who we are with the world allows others just like us to connect with us and have things in common.  Friendships and business relationships are forged that way.

It was said of Phil that he was as honest as you can get.  Everything was black and white with him and from the heart.  He was positive, he worked hard and played hard.  You can read the article that caught my attention here.

Here’s my video tribute to Phil.  He Role Modeled:

Entrepreneurship
Leadership
Living life with passion
How to be authentic
Loving his boys
Caring for friends
Importance of humor
Never giving up

Rest In Peace Phil.

What do you remember best about Phil Harris?  Share your thoughts and memories and why you liked him.  What stands out to you?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  If you like this post, please retweet and share.

Thanks and blessings…

Debbie

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