How Recruitment taught me how to Walk

As you may have seen from my last article, in less than 6 weeks I will be part of a team trying to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge; 24 miles (including 1585m of ascent) climbing the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, in under 12 hours. It’s a part of the way we give back, donating time and money to charitable causes, and now the hard part; the training, has started. But hey, if it was easy, why would anyone sponsor you?

This weekend as part of my preparation, I was hiking in the Brecon Beacons. I have been walking in these mountains since I was a teenager, the thing is, I’m not a teenager anymore, and as my legs were telling me on Monday morning, I’m not fit either. Still, I pushed on, completed the 12k in good time and psychologically got my head around the fact that whilst it hurts, I can still (just about) do this.

Whilst walking, it made me realise how so much of my job prepares me for challenges like this.

·        Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

My old football coach used to drill this into me and it was very apparent the training is essential, recruitment is no different; if you don’t know your sector pretty soon you’re going to get found out.

·        Perseverance is key

Like any job, mine is filled with Peaks and Troughs as the market changes, but you cannot give up when it becomes difficult. I’ve learnt over time that perseverance is key; for every moment of difficulty and struggle – there is a moment of success and celebration.

·        There will be false summits

If you have eve walked up Pen Y Fan from the East side you are constantly faced with false summits, thinking you’ve reached the top only to find out there’s yet another steep section that will make your quads and calves burn. This can play havoc with your headspace and there is a reason the SAS use the ‘Fan Dance’ as part of their selection process. Recruitment is full of changing deadlines and moving goalposts, things that are totally out of your hands which if you allow them to, can have a negative impact on your work.

The rigours of Recruitment have helped prepare me to meet my walking challenge, what life lessons has your job has taught you, that you apply outside of your work environment?

There will be further training updates, but for now if you want to take a look at our Just Giving page, any contributions to this great cause would be really welcome.

 https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thehighfield-company-do-three-peaks