I may not be the poster child for hiking, with my ambivalence towards it—primarily focused on the fashion rather than the trail. But, against my better judgment, I often find myself saying ‘yes’ to adventures that promise a good time. Even if it involves conquering a mountain dotted with waterfalls. “I’ll give it a shot,” I said, summoning my inner Korean “Fighting” spirit, as I braced myself for a Sunday morning uphill struggle.
Accompanied by a friend, a seasoned hiker with a single-minded goal of reaching the summit, I found myself pondering the parallels between this arduous trek and the entrepreneurial journey, or simply, life itself.
At first, the mountain seemed insurmountable, much like the initial stages of any venture. You can either keep sizing it up from different angles, hoping it appears smaller, or take the plunge and start climbing. Life, much like the trail, throws easy, hard, and middle-ground paths at you. Sometimes you’ve got a support structure, and sometimes you’re flying solo. But undoubtedly, every step on this journey imparts some invaluable lessons.
As you climb, you can’t help but notice fellow travelers—some trailing behind, others way ahead. The comparisons can make you feel like you have a split personality, swinging between feeling inadequate and finding newfound inspiration. Ever think, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” when passing someone on the way?
Once you’ve got through the biggest hurdle of all, showing up. The initial steps might be challenging, but as you push through, momentum builds. The journey unveils slippery slopes, dry stretches, and unexpected rapids. It’s a mix of fear, excitement, and those rare moments of ease.
They say life is about the journey, not the destination. What’s your business endgame? A hundred clients, millions in revenue, selling the company? Once you hit those milestones, brace yourself for new challenges and goals. You’ll never be done, because there is no destination. Embrace the journey, soak in the lessons each day brings, and enjoy the ride. Getting to the top wasn’t the destination, because we had to climb back down again.
“Paso a paso,” step by step in Spanish, is a favorite expressions of mine and became my mantra during this unfamiliar and slightly terrifying trek. Positive affirmations echoed in my mind, pushing me forward. Supporting me was the reassurance that I could simply give up or choose a different path.
Encounters with seasoned and novice trailblazers offered varying perspectives—some racing ahead, others extending a hand. Business, too, mirrors this synergy. Sometimes, all you can do is focus on the next step, fire-fighting the day-to-day. At other times there’s a moment to take in how far you’ve come and strategise your next steps.
The real test wasn’t the steep inclines or breathlessness but those slippery, fear-inducing moments when giving up seemed tempting. Yet, in those moments, a hand held mine, guiding and supporting—a reminder that in both mountain hikes and business, resilience is found in taking one step at a time, even when the path is uncertain. And if you look for it, there’s always a helping hand available, even if its from where you least expect it.
Share your entrepreneurial journey and insights. What mountainous challenges have you faced, and how did they shape your path to success? #EntrepreneurialWisdom #MountainQuest #BusinessJourney
