I Just Climbed a Mountain (But Not the One You Think)
I have just climbed to the top of a mountain.
Now you’re probably guessing which one?
Your mind might immediately jump to the iconic, cloud-piercing giants that dominate our bucket lists and social media feeds:
Mount Everest (Nepal/Tibet): 8,849m (29,032 ft): The ultimate, iconic global peak. Well no, I didn’t climb that one.
Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania): 5,895m (19,341 ft):The highest peak in Africa; trekking-friendly and doesn't require technical climbing. Not that one either.
Aconcagua (Argentina): 6,961m (22,838 ft): The highest mountain in the Americas and the tallest outside Asia. Nope, guess again!
Okay, so maybe something a bit more aesthetic? Mount Fuji for the sunrise? The rugged, razor-sharp ridges of the Matterhorn?
Not quite.
The mountain I conquered was a "baby" in comparison to those global giants. It was a modest peak nestled inside Shenandoah National Park, which extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.
It wasn't a world record. But you know what? I climbed it.
The Trap of Performative Success
We live in a world that is hyper vigilant on optics and the appearance of being grandly performative rather than being rigorously honest and authentic. Because of this, small wins are rarely taken seriously.
People tend to hide their progress, waiting until they have achieved the “BIG stuff" to post or to talk about. If it isn't an Everest-sized achievement, we treat it like it doesn't count.
Well I am encouraging you to give yourself permission to take stock of your small wins and be appreciative of them.
Why My "Small" Mountain Was a Big Win
I don’t know whether I shall ever climb any of the ‘big’ mountains, but the mountain that I climbed this past weekend was challenging for me. It was rugged and increased my heart rate.
It also provided me with:
Beautiful views,
The opportunity to commune with other ‘hikers’ on the trail,
Reflection time for me, and made me witness the magnificence of something so much greater than myself.
It was a great reminder to me not to negate the small achievements and small wins. Afterall, your brain doesn't know the difference between a small victory and a massive one.
Conquering that trail in Shenandoah provided the same rush of endorphins and sense of achievement as if I climbed Kilimanjaro (and without the stress, rigour and pain I am sure).
Shifting Focus: The Wealth of Your Health
Standing at the summit, I felt exhilarated and wholly alive.
This climb encouraged me to keep going and challenging myself - and sometimes that doesn’t have to be a huge push but more gentler nudges towards smaller achievements which focus on my ultimate goal of investing well in the wealth of my health.
So, what is the "small mountain" in your life right now? Maybe it’s drinking more water, walking around the block, or finally tackling a project you've been avoiding. Whatever it is, climb it, celebrate it, and let it propel you to the next peak. You don't need Everest to prove you're moving forward.
Ready to Conquer Your Own Peaks?
You don't have to navigate the climb alone. At Arte Leadership, we believe that true transformation happens when you honour every step of the journey: big and small. So, if you are trying to overcome a professional hurdle or shift your mindset, our dedicated life coaches are here to guide you.
Let’s start turning your gentler nudges into life-changing milestones.
