Climbing Your Mountain: Transforming Fear into Action
Paul Kearley
Working with organizations in solving their leadership and management effectiveness crises.
Recently, during my morning walk, my thoughts wandered to the goals and dreams I’ve set over my lifetime. I’ve accomplished many of them, yet some remain untouched. Reflecting on this, I grew frustrated. Why were certain goals left behind? Then it hit me—fear.
It’s humbling to realize that even when my work focuses on helping others overcome fears, I too face fears that hold me back. That moment of clarity sparked a change. I decided to refine my goals, making them more vivid and meaningful. For example, instead of simply saying, “I want to run a marathon,” I began visualizing the pride, strength, and joy I would feel crossing the finish line.
I was reminded of a quote from an "Eco-Challenge" participant. Despite grueling conditions, she said, “I HAD to finish, because in finishing, I truly succeeded.” That’s the mindset of a winner—not just someone who crosses the finish line but someone who embraces the journey despite doubts and fears.
It’s easy to say, “Don’t think about the journey, just focus on the next step.” But I’ve realized the real power lies in visualizing the journey’s benefits while taking that critical next step. Without forward movement, we stay stuck in place.
One story captures this lesson beautifully:
“I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way up the path, I felt overwhelmed, so had to turn back.?
I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness started to fall, and I was full of fear, so I had to return to a safe place.?
I was ready to climb the mountain today. But it was so hot outside, I thought I better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow's attempt.?
I was about to climb the mountain today. But I had so many other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain I took care of much more important tasks.? I washed my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just have to wait.?
I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in its majestic beauty, I knew I stood no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even bother trying.?
I have forgotten about climbing the mountain today; until a friend came by and asked me what I was up to lately. I told him I was thinking about climbing that mountain some day. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish this task.?
Finally, he said, "I just got back from climbing the mountain. For the longest time I told myself I was trying to climb the mountain but never made any progress. I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I? give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn't make an attempt at this dream all my dreams will eventually die."
"The next morning, I started my climb." He continued, "It was not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge, I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed, "Stop!" I focused on my goal never letting it out of sight, and I kept moving forward. At times, I was ready to quit, but I knew I had come too far. Time and time again, I reassured myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled to make it to the top, but I climbed the mountain!"
"I have to be going," my friend said. "Tomorrow is a new day to accomplish more dreams. By the way, what are you going to do tomorrow?"
I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and said, "I have a mountain to climb."???????????????????????????????????????????????
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Gary Barnes?? Copyright 1999
This week, identify your mountain. Define the rewards of reaching the summit. Face your fears, commit to taking the next step, and keep moving. Your mountain awaits!
Action Points:
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3 个月Thanks for sharing, my friend ?? I could not agree more with how you say; “The mindset of a winner is not just someone who crosses the finish line but someone who embraces the journey despite doubts and fears.” In my world, I take people on a journey that goes beyond traditional business practices and because they have decided to take a leap of faith into the unfamiliar and step into space that allows them to lead in way that prioritizes people and goes above and beyond the status quo, doubts and fears are very much a part of the journey. They are for me, as much as for them and like your mountain, I call it the big picture and consistently remind them that every step we take brings them closer to that. Thanks for the inspiration, I’ll be sharing this article with them very soon. ??