Climbing Mountains

June is half-way through the year. It’s a nice time to think about measuring progress, especially if you’d like to enjoy some breathing room over the summer. And because I love metaphors, I am going to share with you a mega one, a Franken-metaphor, it’s a combination of several that I have collected over the years.

Years ago a colleague shared the idea that “We cross the plains before we can get to the foothills.” I love this one as a substitute for the idea of “leaving the shore.” Both are great metaphors for taking risk and trusting your own inner compass, but the sea metaphor suggests that once we reach the other shore, everything is done. In reality, after starting a new endeavor and gaining some sense of context, what we get is the chance to do more work, i.e., to begin to climb the foothills. We enter into a period of increased traction and effectiveness, but it is still fairly new.

As we go on, the climb becomes gradually steeper. Importantly, we reach “base camps,” one, two or more, these are periods of rest, where we have mastered something and things don’t feel so hard or confusing. We are productive without realizing it. In time, however, we want to keep going, and as with mountain climbing, the next ascent is generally more complex than the one before. Also important for the metaphor is that an experienced climber knows he or she needs 1) fitness – to be in shape 2) the right equipment and 3) a good guide.

How can you use this metaphor?

• Is there an ambitious project you have been wanting to start but have avoided? How might your perspective shift if all you had to do, right now, was gently begin walking.

If you are fully engaged:

• Not all progress looks like the final ascent. Scan back on what you’ve been working on. Have you been in a period of crossing the plains, or walking the foothills? Perfect timing for base-camp style summer relaxation. Each of these periods of work deserves a rest, so schedule it in!
• Are you in shape for this project, meaning is it the right time and are the elements in place? Do you need coaching to become more effective?
• If you are in shape, what equipment do you need? Training, more resources, maybe a wider network.
• Who is your sherpa on this journey? Do you have a close group of supporters? Make sure your support is in place.
• Focus on where you are and don’t think too far ahead. I often hear clients worry that once they reach their goal, life will get dull. Quite the opposite! Reaching one peak usually opens you to new possibilities that are even bigger. Like Everest, K2, Annapurna, one successful climb begets another.
• And finally, the air gets thin at the top. As you near your goal, things can get confusing. Suddenly you doubt everything. Keep pushing. The clarity at the top is very near.

Whether you are in rest mode, or daydreaming of high peaks, enjoy the summer and I will see you in July!

Claire