The Highest Heights

Let’s face it, if we want a better view of what’s happening around us, we typically go up. Some of us stand, others get up on our roofs, while still others head to the nearest hill. There are even those who challenge themselves by climbing the tallest mountains on the planet. The grand vistas, heightened perspective, a sense of accomplishment – these are some of the reasons why a few of us reach the highest heights.

Now, when you think about mountain climbing, maybe your stomach does a little flip-flop. But, you know, people who are successful in life are really a lot like mountain climbers. They don’t start out climbing Mount Everest or K-2, or even Kilimanjaro. Instead, they train and practice on smaller slopes until they build the skills, endurance and confidence to move on to bigger challenges.

When mountain climbers choose a goal, they map out a plan and, as much as possible, they follow it. They equip themselves as well as they possibly can, and they learn from the competition. They fully expect to run into problems, so when they do, it doesn’t throw them. They deal with them as best they can and move on – either by continuing up or heading back down, to try again at a later time.

They keep their fear and negative thinking under control because they know that these things will defeat them more certainly than any avalanche, rock or mud slide. They also understand the importance of persistence and tenacity. And finally, every now and then they bite off a little more than they are absolutely certain they can chew.

Like a mountain climber once said, about the mental attitude of climbing: When there’s no place to go but up, you go up.

Now, you may not want to conquer Everest, but it’s a sure bet that there’s a mountain in your life just calling out to be climbed. What do you want to do about that?

Goal-set. Prepare. Plan. Equip. Pack your resiliency and flexibility, and then head on up.