July 22, 2012

Five things you’ll need to achieve your goal

molly published this at 3:00 am

How do you climb a mountain?

With planning and persistence. One step at a time.

Ascending to the summit takes time, but that’s a detail that we tend to forget when we are scaling our own personal mountains, be they building a business, overcoming a habit or learning a new skill.

The desire for instant gratification explains why the diet pill industry is booming. But we all know, deep in our heart of hearts, that lasting change takes time, effort and diligence.

When we’re ready for a change, we wish (in vain) that the mere acknowledgement of the need for a change is enough to transmogrify our reality into our preferred one. Wrong-O, Mary Lou.

All this aside, how does one ascend The Mountain? Stripped to the essentials, in order to achieve this goal, one must have the following:

  • A plan and/or map of the expected topography and climate conditions
  • The proper supplies and equipment
  • Snacks
  • Proper physical conditioning
  • Optional (but beneficial) a sherpa or guide who has already made your journey successfully

    • Mountain climbing is an analogy to which I have referred many times within this series, but today, I’d like to talk with you about a specific portion of the List of Essentials: the equipment.

    When I hiked the Bitterroot range, it was exceedingly liberating to wade through a stream of crystal clear, ice cold water because I had the proper foot gear on my feet.

    When we have the proper tools for the job at hand, our efforts can be more efficiently directed to the task we wish to perform. Had I been wearing canvas tennis shoes, I may have been able to withstand the first bracing onslaught of crisp, unrelenting water, but my muscles would have subsequently seized up quickly, and my waterlogged, damp feet would be susceptible to clammy conditions until the sun dried my shoes.

    Not cool. I certainly would not have made good time and would have probably been miserable.

    Another analogy I love is the reference when climbing is in regards to pitons. These anchors help our ascent, because they are the stable fulcrum upon which we shift our weight as we make our ascent. If they are not stable, we risk a nasty tumble.

    In your figurative rise to the summit of your goal, who are your pitons? Colleagues? Bosses? Friends? Child care givers? Be assured: those upon whom you choose to rely will determine your upward trajectory. Make sure that they are stable and reliable.

    Something else significant about pitons…quick question: where are they placed relative to your journey?

    Above and beyond your current location, right? When we wish to scale a rock face, the pitons must be placed securely where we wish to GO. Although I firmly believe in the power of the NOW and being tuned in to what is happening immediately within your sphere of influence and/or situation, if you wish to move forward, logic dictates that you must consider the future.

    Take time to survey the landscape of your given industry and anticipate projected growth and opportunities. These are the pivot points upon which you can base your growth.

    So. How to climb a mountain? Do your homework. Pack snacks. Make sure that your equipment is equal (or superior) to the task. Reach out to a sherpa.

    Start walking. :)

    Can you share with us any times when your network helped you to reach your goal? We’d love to hear about it! Chime in below.

    ——-

    Molly Cantrell-Kraig is a woman with drive. Possessing an innate sense of purpose and a pragmatic, solution-based approach to empowering people, she fused these two traits in order to establish Women With Drive Foundation. Based upon its founder’s personal history, Women With Drive Foundation is a means through which Cantrell-Kraig may effect change on both a micro and macro level. By providing women with something as essential as personal transportation in order to transition them from poverty to prosperity, she, through Women With Drive Foundation, seeks to empower women to help them help themselves. Follow Molly on twitter as @mckra1g or @WWDr1ve (Women With Drive Foundation).

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