Climbing up that Hill
My wife and I camp and hike often. Our goal is to visit every state park in Texas. About once a month, we overnight camp at one of the 89 state parks. We tackle a trail or two and visit some of the surrounding towns. It's a great opportunity to reflect and re-energize, but it also offers opportunities to learn about business.
Recently, we visited Franklin Mountains State Park. Franklin Mountains is a small range in West Texas that splits the city of El Paso. It's peak is over 7,000 ft above sea level. From there, you see a vast distance through the Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico desert plains. An 8 mile round trip trail takes you to the peak.
Franklin Mountains
We're no strangers to an 8 mile hike. We walk about 4 miles each day and typically take on the longest trails at each state park. We knew 8 miles up a mountain wouldn't be easy, though. Still, we packed our backpacks with essentials, double checked against our pack list, and set off from our campsite.
Aztec Caves
Our first stop was a set of caves that were almost at the top of the slightly smaller mountain that overlooked our campsite. Even on Thanksgiving Day, there were about 20 people coming and going on the trail that went pretty directly to to the caves. Once we got there, we marveled at the caves and chatted for a bit with some of the other visitors. Then, we took a much less used trail over the caves. Almost at the top of this mountain, we cautiously crept to the edge and looked out at the path we had taken so far. We could just barely make out our orange tent, but we could see North El Paso and out into New Mexico!
Overlooking Northwest El Paso
We decided to keep going up and over this mountain to get to the main peak. It couldn't be much further up, we thought. I mean, we were very high up! Still, the trail went on and climbed. Around bends we went. And up.
Each time we would complete a bend in the trail, we would take a break and look out at the land that stretched out below. Each time, the beauty and sense of accomplishment would leave us in awe. Each time, we'd look down the stretch of trail we just took, the last vantage point we were at, and think, "How foolish we were to think we were almost at the top". Still, each time, we would think that success - the peak - was just around the next bend.
Overlooking East El Paso/Fort Bliss
Anyone that has hiked a trail knows that trail maps aren't always precise. Even GPS apps can be a little misleading. The turn you're taking might seem like a larger turn on the map when that turn isn't even accounted for. In mountain hiking, it's worse! You look down and see how far you've come and think that the mountain couldn't possibly be much higher. You look up and all you can see is a hump that the trail winds around. You don't have the same perspective as one looking at the mountain from the ground. You don't yet have the perspective of one who has reached the top, either. Yet each time you reach a ledge you look down at the smaller mountains and the think, this is it. I'm almost there.
Watching the clouds roll in as we climbed was a surreal experience
Occasionally, we would encounter another person on the trail. Usually, we'd just nod at each other as we pass. The trail was difficult, the air was thin, and I'm not in the best shape. Usually, I was just trying to not to look like I was out of breath, like my legs weren't burning, like I knew where I was going. But those other people on the trail had different perspectives. Whether they had reached the peak or just turned back at the next ledge, their perspective could have been added to my own. They could have helped me understand more, even if just a little more. I didn't need their help, though. The peak was just around the next bend.
But it wasn't. There was always more to go.
We never made it to the top of the mountain. At one point it began to lightly snow. At the next bend, we hiked right up into a raging snowstorm and with a few hours of daylight left, we decided it best to head back. It was a shame though. Even as we turned back, I thought "At least we almost made it. There was only one straight part of the trail left to go".
Don't get me wrong. It was a lot of fun and it was an experience that we will never forget.
I reflected on how the trek towards business success is much the same way. Oftentimes, we don't really know what success looks like. Even if we have highly defined goals, it's difficult to understand what it will take to get you there. You've made progress on your own and found some success. That success built on itself as you continued. Each time you look back, proud of what you've accomplished on your own. Many think that what got them here will get them to the top.
To be successful in business, a leader must take advantage of the perspectives of others. We must surround ourselves with mentors, advisors, and partners who can see the path from different perspectives. When we make progress and look back down at our previous success, we must have others with us to support us and show us that there is still more to go. And when we finally feel like we've made it, we must be open to what others can teach us about how we can take it to the peak.
Ultimately, being successful in business is about humility. It's about being open to learning from others and always looking to improve. So keep climbing that mountain, trailblazer—success is just around the next bend.
What do you think? Do you have any tips for pursuing success in business? Share your thoughts in the comments below!