April 2024 Newsletter - 6 Career Lessons I Learned on a Canyon Wall

“You have to go.”?? I heard those words from my friend many times that week and the weeks leading up to my trip.? But until I stood at the peak of Scout Lookout gazing 1,000 feet below me, I could not fully understand what he meant.

That view alone made my recent trip to Zion National Park in southern Utah worth the trip this March.?? Much like many this time of year, I was overdue for a vacation and a change in environment was what I needed most. ?So, I got on a plane and headed west.? While I packed in as much as I could in one short week, including a Cessna ride over the Grand Canyon, a cruise through the Red Rock Canyons, and a nice dam stroll over the Hoover Dam, it was that switchback trail hike up Zion Canyon that was most memorable.?

And while that mountain wall was certainly awe-inspiring, it was more than just the spectacular colors and the change in elevation though that made it so special.? It was the lessons that I would learn as I traversed my way to the top that left me thinking about my own career journey.?? Below are 6 career lessons that I left Utah with that day.

?

#1 - Know Your Distance.

As I stood at the base of the mountain, I could only guess the distance to Scout Lookout.?? Sure, I had a map and there was only one trail to get there.? However, measuring vertical miles was out of my wheelhouse.? In reality, I had no idea how to estimate the length and time it would take to hit my destination.? ???

When most of us think about our careers, we typically measure “distance” in years.?? For many, the distance is 40 years (assuming you work until full retirement age).? If that is your tract, you can plan accordingly to ensure you hit your target.? For others, the distance may be less as you make a pivot in your career.?? Perhaps it is a return to the classroom to pursue academia or a calling to some other life mission.?? Regardless of your unique journey, knowing your distance will make it more manageable and provide you with a personal odometer to keep you on track.

?

#2 - Over-Prepare.

While I was somewhat prepared before my big hike, having loaded up on a 1500 calorie Mickey D’s BIG breakfast beforehand, a 34 oz bottle of water in hand, and a lather of sunscreen on my neck, I was by no means fully prepared for what was ahead of me.?? Instead, like everyone else who got off the bus at the canyon floor, I just started mushing forward without stretching, reading all the trail signs, or coming up with a back-up plan.?? I got caught up in the flurry of excitement and did not look back.

While I did not fall off the edge of the cliff and fall to my death that day, some extra preparation could have gone a long way.?? In our careers and lives, it always pays to plan ahead.? You may be in a season of work where you are flourishing, but there is no guarantee that your situation will be the same tomorrow.? Resist the urge to get complacent and learn to prepare for those “what if” scenarios right now.? Make the time to update your resume yearly, ensure your LinkedIn profile is current, and evaluate your current skills.? If you have been getting by with a baseline understanding of design concepts or design software, now is the time to invest in yourself by doing the extra work to improve in these areas.?? Find others who have the same level of experience and ask yourself how you measure up to them.? If you feel like you are behind, use this time now to get caught up so you are over-prepared should the unthinkable happen.?

?

#3 - Look for Signs to Keep Going.

I can remember at several points on the side of that ridge wondering if I bit off more than I could chew.? ?Without fully knowing the distance to the top and not being fully prepared, doubt crept into my mind as I began to reassess my decision.?? At the same time, I became keenly aware of certain signs that would validate my decision to plow ahead.?? At one point, I became conscious of the wind at my back, seemingly pushing me forward.? I also hit a long stretch along the backside of the mountain that was more of a plateau than an incline.? I even had the benefit of some natural shade which made this stretch somewhat refreshing as I gained some easy yards with minimal effort.

Similarly, pay attention to those signs in your career for you to keep going when you otherwise may feel like turning back.? If life is moving at too rapid a pace, make an effort to slow it down so you can pause and evaluate the signals that God or the Universe may be sending to you.?? Perhaps it is the words of validation from a coworker or a small win you have earned on a project.? Finding Small Wins in Your Work Battle – 3 Ways to Change Your State | LinkedIn .? Or maybe one of your projects got put on hold at just the right time to give you a breather when you most needed it.? What is that unique sign for you to keep moving forward in your career?

?

#4 - Always Take Breaks.

There were several moments along my trek to the top where my hamstrings screamed at me to stop, overruling my sheer will to keep the pace.? Yet, it was those breaks that made all the difference in allowing me to complete my mission.? I recognized that I was not out to set any records and my only goal for time was to get back before the sunset, which was still hours away.?

In your own career quest, recognize the benefit of taking breaks.? In my case, that entire week was a break from the work grind and a time to recharge my battery.?? Resist the urge to carry over your vacation time if your company allows you to or even cashing it out if that is an option.?? While most professionals may not have physically demanding jobs, mentally demanding careers are deserving of breaks just the same.? What is that trip that you have been putting off that you know you need to take?

?

#5 - Don’t Go it Alone.

The trail I was on that day was one of the most popular in the park and most of my voyage was spent in the company of other backpackers.? Everyone was friendly and seemingly on their own personal quest.?? While I definitely enjoyed having the company, I can say that it was the small pieces of information and words of encouragement I received as I neared the peak that kept me focused.? I noticed that almost everyone I asked who was on their descension was willing to tell me how much further to go and follow it up with a “You’re almost there. You can do it.”?? And this was the fuel that I needed to get there.?? Then, when I was descending, it was my turn to be the information provider and encourager, as I exclaimed to exhausted trekkers ?“About 150 yards to the top.? You’ve got this.”? And much like myself, they certainly appreciated those rallying words.

In your own career, surround yourself with people that support you and believe in you and resist the urge to go it alone.?? As I have mentioned in other articles, it is ok to ask for help.? In fact, it is actually healthy to do so.?? Know that asking for help is a sign of strength and one of the best things you can do for yourself if you are feeling stuck.?In doing so, you are ultimately saying “Yes” to yourself first – which is the most important “Yes” of your life.

?

#6 - Celebrate Yourself.

When I finally did hit my vertical finish line, I remember the look of joy in the faces of fellow trekkers as they sprawled over the rock landing.? I felt their emotions of elation as they took selfies so close to the edge it made me cringe.?? And I too rested on that rock, feeling a sense of peace and accomplishment for having made it.

Over the course of our careers, it may certainly feel like an uphill climb and regardless of what your unique finish line may be, always make time to celebrate yourself.?? Recognize that this is not a onetime occurrence either.?? Celebrate yourself regularly along the way, and appreciate those small wins along the way that can end up being your most defining moments.??

?

Author: Ryan Walter, ACC, PE

?

Follow me @ Rethinkwildly.com

?

If you are seeking advice in your career or need assistance evaluating your career trajectory, I would love to help you.? Please reach out to me to schedule a free consultation.? You can also schedule a session in my booking calendar for a time that works for you. Free Consultation Call - ReThink Wildly

?

I am a certified professional life coach and professional engineer and help engineers and other professionals navigate the human challenges of work.? My mission is to help people get unstuck in their personal and professional lives.? Some of the areas that I coach professionals on include imposter syndrome, work unfulfillment, life purpose, work-life balance, personal boundaries, assertiveness, and relational conflict in the workplace.?