There are many similarities between building a thriving career and climbing up a mountain. I have learned a lot about goal-setting and professional resilience from my hiking trips. Just like the switchbacks on a steep trail, the corporate ladder is not always a straight climb up. The key is to be an explorer and dare go where you’ve never been before, to find your Everest.
Career growth is an active process of goal-setting. I find that people are innately motivated and fairly insightful about the things they want more of, or less of, in their career. Most individuals are fairly capable of whipping out a solid action plan. So, what gets in the way? Doing the work diligently and consistently. It’s really not about the passion or the quality of the planning. Success is determined by the ability to stay focused and the willingness to do the work, no matter how hard it gets.
In moments when I get fanciful about my life’s calling, I like to think of myself as a “goal whisperer.” I help my clients set, plan for, and apply effective goal-achievement strategies. Each coaching conversation is centered around turning an aspiration into practical action that would drive tangible progress toward the proverbial finish line. In more practical terms, I am the mountain guide helping my clients think through the “why” (reasons to take a hike), the “what” (choosing the right trekking adventure), as well as the “how” (success strategies.) Once a client has chosen the Mountain Adventure; aka, a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), I am there to suggest a packing list, help choose the best trail to the top of the mountain, the right tools from the toolkit, and the most effective strategies to traverse the terrain at that given time. Most importantly, I am there to offer unconditional encouragement and support.
Think about the last goal you set. What was it?
In my experience, most people go through five stages of goal achievement once they define a new goal to pursue and create a roadmap for its attainment. As they progress along the stages, I’ve found that many of my clients experience similar emotions. Understanding the Emotional Cycle of Change may strengthen the ability to persevere through the rough patches.
Stage 1: Showing up. At the Trailhead
Emotion: Excitement – “I am all that!”
You’ve set your goal, created a plan, made schedules, and bought all the shiny equipment. You are at the trailhead ready to start your journey. You cannot see the whole path, only what’s right in front of you. However, in your mind all you see is the end of the journey. You feel a surge of enthusiasm and positive energy. You can envision yourself at the finish line having accomplished your goal. But what you don’t see is the hustle. You cannot even begin to fathom the challenges and the effort it will take to get to the finish line. This stage is all about the possibilities and is filled with day-dreaming. It includes little actual work.
But then a few miles in, the reality of hiking sinks in.
Stage 2: First Steps. Starting the Uphill
Emotion: Inspiration – “I got this!”
Now you are all warmed up. You start realizing the enormity of the feat. You are beginning to get an inkling why this is a less-traveled trail. Things are going well but far from smoothly. You are now facing challenges and obstacles, enough to get a feel of how much effort it would take to get to the top. The path is muddy, you brush up against poison oak and thorns, you slip on a loose rock, and your backpack feels heavier. You start looking for shortcuts, for an easier trail. As you transition from excitement to inspiration you get that sinking feeling that this is no walk in the park. Yep, you’d have to work for it. But you are still motivated to achieve your goal. It’s getting harder, but you’ve got it.
The sun is out, and the light drizzle feels refreshing. Yet, the heavy rain is yet to come.
Stage 3: Embracing the Grind. Many Miles to Go
Emotion: Discouragement – “Will I make it to the summit?”
You catch a glimpse of the lake below the summit from afar, so far away. This is the worst part of the trek. You are battling heavy rain and high winds. Your shoes are wet. Your socks are moist. You feel a blister beginning to form. Your glutes are sore, your hammies are tight, and you feel depleted. This is no longer fun. You start to question whether your body could handle more hiking. You are seriously considering cutting your hiking trip short. Your mental energy is shifting to making excuses. You struggle to remember why you wanted to achieve this stupid goal in the first place. You look back to where you started. You were so excited then. You look ahead and all you can see is a ginormous rock and a very steep, hard trail.
This is where you go to the mat. This stage separates the achievers from the quitters.
Stage 4: Continuing to Completion. The Last Push to the Summit
Emotion: Confidence – “I Think I Can!”
Although this last part is the toughest physically, you feel re-energized. Your movements become more fluid, and you feel lighter, as if a huge weight has been lifted off of your backpack. You get your second wind, and you shift your mindset toward optimism. Realistically, bad things can still happen. You might pull a muscle, or trip and fall. But in your mind’s eye, you can imagine yourself at the summit. You feel confident. You re-connect with that sense of purpose that drove you to the trailhead. You see the end in your line of sight and you forge ahead feeling stronger with every step.
The best stage is within reach.
Stage 5: Celebrating Success. Reaching the Summit
Emotion: Fulfillment – “I did It My way!”
Victory is yours. The view from the top makes you feel like the master of the universe. You triumphed and conquered. You take the time to celebrate your achievement. You feel content and a deep sense of sweet fulfillment. But as you do the require fist bumps you are already starting to feel the post-trail blues, a yearning for the next adventure, for the next mountain to climb.
What’s your next goal?
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