Lessons from the mountains part 6 – The Art of Being Solo

A question every mountaineer deal with at some point of their training is if and when to take a risk and go solo to the backcountry or to go climb with a partner.

Today I would like to discuss the importance of “going solo” and having those moments of deep work on your own, either in the mountains, when back at home or at work.

Solo or not, that is the question.

It is an amazing blue-bird day out there, the snow is soft, the skies are blue, there is no wind, and the temperature has been constant lately. That all translates to steady and stable slopes and low(er) avalanche risk.

Then it starts, that inner feeling, the mountains are calling me, and I must go! Then, reality hits, all my partners in crime have family obligations and can’t join. What should I do? Go solo to the backcountry? Am I crazy? Should I wave this one off? It's decision time!

But first let’s start with explaining what exactly is “the backcountry”, and I can’t think of a better way than to ask ChatGPT about it…

Reading that explanation, you might think that going on your own to the backcountry is a bad idea, a really bad idea that imposes many risks. I can understand that viewpoint, but I find it often the other way around, going solo is scary for sure, but it is also an opportunity to deal with my fears (see my previous post about managing fear ), it’s a way for me to be planful. I often find that when I go alone, I take fewer risks than when I’m with a group. When I’m alone up there, and there is no one that protects or watches me, I tend to stay much more in my “comfort zone” and I don’t do things that I don’t feel comfortable with. When reading Avalanche incident reports one of the main hazards mountaineers deal with is the social element and peer pressure (“I came all the way here, no way I’m turning around”, "let's just try this out", etc.), but when I’m alone and it is me and only me, I take it easy!

Going solo is a way for me to be focused and to stay focused, I look inside and reflect, I connect to nature without filters, and the kind of problem solving and on the spot decisions force me to be 100% in the moment.

Going Monk mode

In software development work, we call it “in the zone” or going “monk mode”, which is basically carving out specific time in your day to do deep focused work, with no email/chat/meeting distractions. This is often when lots of the magic and breakthrough happen.

Sure, everyone is part of a team, and we all have meetings and deadlines to attend to, but when you stop and look back at your day, lots of what you accomplished during that day is “urgent” tasks and firefighting, especially as a manager. So, I carve out a few hours every day to do individual solo work, which helps me focus about longer term and non-urgent tasks, but as equally important.

Boredom

When my kids were younger, they often asked: “Hey dad, hey mom, I'm bored, what should I do?”

The easiest solution which I often attended to was to find an activity for them, ideally something meaningful that they will learn from, but the even better answer was … “Awesome son, do nothing, be bored!”

Being in the “boredom zone” has lots of benefits:

• Spurring creativity: When we are bored, our minds are free to wander and explore new ideas. This can lead to creative insights and problem-solving, as our brains make connections and come up with new solutions.
• Reducing stress: By allowing ourselves to be bored and disconnect from constant stimulation, we can reduce stress and promote relaxation. This can be beneficial for our overall well-being and mental health.
• Enhancing focus: When we are constantly stimulated and distracted, our ability to focus can suffer. Embracing boredom and disconnecting from distractions can help us improve our focus and concentration.
• Developing self-awareness: Being bored can provide an opportunity to reflect on our thoughts, feelings, and goals. This can help us develop self-awareness and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our motivations.
• Fostering independence: When we are constantly engaged in activities or consuming media, we can become dependent on external sources of stimulation. Embracing boredom can help us develop our own interests and find enjoyment in simpler activities.

Deep work

Bill Gates used to have “Think Weeks” every year where he isolated himself in a cabin in the woods to do nothing but read and think. No email, no internet access, just him with books or papers that Microsoft employees submitted as innovation pitches.

Gates wasn’t alone in this, Carl Jung used a similar approach, and J.K Rowling secluded herself in a hotel room to finish the Harry Potter books.

What is deep work?

Deep work is a state of peak concentration that allows you to learn hard things and create quality work quickly. This term was first introduced by Cal Newport is his great book: “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World .”

A few strategies to accomplish deep work are:

1. Choosing a deep work philosophy – It can be carving out blocks of time each day, having a no-meeting Wed, or doing a “think week”.
2. Creating rituals to increase focus – The where and when you do those deep work.
3. Prioritize high-impact work – Decide in advance what you’ll work on during these deep work sessions.
4. Track where you spend your time – Audit where you’re spending your work time and schedule your day, and “time box” tasks by estimating how long you need to complete a task and schedule that time block.
5. Reduce digital distractions – No email, no notifications on your phone.
6. Schedule time to recharge – Rest is just as important as work, so set aside time to recharge and prevent burnout.

It takes a village.

Back to the mountains, there are lots of benefits of going solo, getting in the zone up there with deep focused time, taking time for myself, and feeling that sense of joy and rare freedom which goes much beyond the adrenaline. Such a treat!

But don't get me wrong, summiting a mountain, or shipping a product is a team effort and the sum and reflection of the people around you. In your journey to success, both are critical, going solo and being part of a team and a larger effort.

So make sure not to skip out on being alone, create your safe place and focus on deep work, results will follow.

And when you see me, please do remind me of it as well.

See you on the trails.

#Mountaineering ?#Leadership