Story by Brad Fuller | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Jordan Peterson’s Rule 4 from 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote To Chaos states: “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.” This idea holds profound relevance not just for personal growth but for how we navigate expectations and comparisons. Whether it’s comparing ourselves to others’ perceived successes or holding ourselves to unrealistic standards, these false comparisons can lead to discouragement and paralysis. Instead, the focus should be on self-improvement and appreciating our unique journey.
One particular statement from this chapter jumped off the page at me: “Be careful not to overvalue what you don’t have and undervalue what you do have.”
At its core, this is called gratitude—to be thankful for what we’ve built, who we are, and where we’re going. Gratitude is the foundation that allows us to reflect on how far we’ve come while still fueling our ambition to move forward.
The Relationship Between Challenges and Gratitude
Each of us walks a unique path in life. Yet, we often fall into the trap of measuring ourselves against others’ highlights, creating false expectations that undermine our confidence. It’s easy to forget that what we see in others is often the end result of their struggles, not the struggles themselves. The world often encourages us to seek happiness, but I’ve come to realize that happiness alone doesn’t always fulfill. Growth and meaningful progress often lie beyond the surface, in the effort and challenges we face.
For me, it’s the challenges—the hard-fought battles—that add value to happiness and deepen the sense of reward. Challenges stretch us, force us to grow, and ultimately shape the moments we cherish the most. Without them, our victories would lack depth and meaning.
Think about the moments in your own life that stand out. Were they the easy wins, or were they the victories you had to earn? The greater the challenge, the more meaningful the outcome.
As we enter Year Five of operations and Year Six of the NPFL as a business, we’ve chosen a path defined by challenge. Running our own production company, FullCom Media, is a monumental undertaking, but it’s the next step in our journey to bring something remarkable to the world of professional bass fishing. It’s an audacious move—and one we’ve embraced wholeheartedly.
Reflecting on What We Have Built
It’s easy to be overly critical of ourselves, especially when we’re measuring against unrealistic standards or comparing to others. Maybe you’ve experienced something similar—whether it’s in your career, your family life, or a personal goal. False comparisons can create a narrative of failure where none exists.
During a recent interview, I was asked where we rank among other entities in the sport. My answer was simple: I couldn’t care less. Our focus is on what we do and how we grow—not on labels or rankings decided by others. Often, these judgments are clouded by false narratives created by the “click” and “view” mongers within our sport. These are the same parasites who leech off the hard work and dedication of the few who are truly making a difference. It’s just not what we are interested in.
Instead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to improving and staying true to our vision. Yes, we sometimes look at what we don’t have, at what could be better. And yes, there are people determined to spread negativity and doubt by explicitly focusing on the shortcomings. But those aren’t the voices that matter. The voices we care about are the ones from those who genuinely support us, who want to see the NPFL succeed. Those are the people we strive to impress—the ones we want to share our successes with.
I am harder on the NPFL than anyone else could possibly be. But that drive doesn’t mean I’m not grateful. I am deeply thankful for what we have, for the team that surrounds us, and for the anglers, fans and sponsors who have stood by us. We’ve accomplished something extraordinary already, and for that, I have the utmost gratitude.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The NPFL’s journey has been one of perseverance, ambition, and, honestly, at times, survival. As we move forward, we’ll continue to challenge ourselves, grow, and overcome obstacles. We’ll remain grateful for what we’ve built and the people who’ve helped us along the way.
The production of the NPFL in 2025 will be a work in progress. We know this going into the season. Event Two will undoubtedly be better than Event One, and so on. The big question is whether we are resilient enough to endure the challenges of growth. Can we handle criticism after the first event and press forward? Can the staff avoid the blame game and stay focused? Can we muster the strength to endure?
The answer to all of that is a resounding “Yes, we can” and “Yes, we will.” Why am I so sure you might ask? Because that’s what winners do! We will pause to acknowledge what we have, what we’ve done, and who stood beside us along the way. Then, we’ll turn our backs to the room and get back to work.
Closing Thoughts
So, here’s my question to you: Are there places in your life where unfair comparisons or unrealistic expectations are holding you back? What challenges can you meet with gratitude and resolve? What can you appreciate today that will fuel your tomorrow? Let’s take those reflections and let them drive us forward.
Here’s to 2025 and beyond—to the challenges, the victories, and the gratitude that fuels it all.
