This past month marked my ten year anniversary of when I began my coaching business.
In February of 2007, I started my company with a passion, a vision, a dream, and a total lack of understanding of what it takes to run a successful business.
Well, I’ve learned a ton since then. I’ve had my ups and downs, failures and successes, but mostly, a load of fun. My journey has been a long and winding road to growing a profitable coaching business.
Mid-month, my husband and I were on vacation, and hiking a mountain in beautiful Sedona, Arizona. My mind began to wander, as it so often does when I’m out in nature and exerting myself. I reflected on the past decade of entrepreneurship. As I hiked, I thought about the similarities in learning to hike up a mountain and growing a business.
The lessons I found out over many hiking expeditions can be applied when striving towards any big goal. Whether it is weight loss, writing a book, increasing your income, or any other endeavor that will require hard work, perseverance, determination and focus, there are lessons I’ve learned that you can apply when you climb towards your big dream.
12 Lessons Learned While Hiking a Mountain:
- Don’t look too far ahead. The destination will seem out of reach. Just put one foot in front of the other, one step at a time, and keep moving forward.
- Sometimes the course will feel smooth. Enjoy the coasting. Other times it will feel rocky and challenging. Remind yourself, after each difficult ascend a more seamless path begins, and the reward at the end will be worth it.
- When exhaustion starts to set in, and you question whether or not you can continue, stop and rest. Take some time to relax and rejuvenate, and then pick up where you left off.
- Surround yourself with other hikers. The camaraderie is invigorating. Look for support of others who are chasing similar goals. It’s a lot more fun than being on a deserted path, always alone.
- Don’t compare yourself to those further along the road than you are. Rather than feel envy for those ahead of you, look to them for inspiration. When you find yourself feeling confused as to which way to go, if you follow those farther ahead, you can often figure out the quickest path to scale.
- If you do get lost, ask for help. Fellow climbers will be delighted to show you the way and cheer you on. Often they’ll walk along side you for awhile until you are ready to continue on your own.
- At times you will want the company and conversation of others. But sometimes, walking along in silence, deep in thought, is what you need. Balance the time you spend interacting with others with time spent in solitude. That’s when you hear your intuitive voice, and can begin to implement what you’ve learned.
- Every once in awhile, look back and see how far you’ve come. When the destination still seems so distant, it’s easy to forget how much you have climbed already.
- Don’t be discouraged when you find yourself wondering why you ever started climbing in the first place. Dig deep, reconnect with your motivations, and renew your resolve to reach the top.
- At the peak of the mountain, you will discover you have strengths you didn’t know you possessed. Your sense of pride and accomplishment will empower you to reach new heights.
- Before too long, you’ll be searching for the next mountain to climb; one a bit more challenging and exciting. Plan your next trip, and begin training and preparation.
- Don’t leap into your next climb too quickly. Reward yourself for all of that you have accomplished so far. Celebrate and refresh. Savor your success, and then begin your next ascend.
If you find yourself struggling to achieve your goals, and it feels as if you are scaling an enormous mountain, you don’t need to go it alone. Check out Planning for Success School, and join a like-minded group of hikers, all working towards their personal goals with the guidance of seasoned coaches and camaraderie of others to help you along the way. You too can reach the top of the mountain and savor the rewards of success!
