Startup lessons you learn from a Trek

Its the morning of a fine weekend when we have almost 80% of our team being picked up from different locations to be taken to a resort on the outskirts of Mumbai. The team is excited and enthused expecting a day filled with unlimited water sports rides and sumptuous food.

You are not the only one out there: 

We land up at the place earlier than we expected. Almost 2hrs earlier than their usual time that they reach office!! But, who cares. No one is complaining. Once we are inside, we realise we were not the only one. There were hordes of them! So we ought to compete to get our space on the rides. There was lots of water in the pool but very limited floor space with people spread all around.

Be prepared for real-time changes:

After the team has had their breakfast, we huddle to plan our next move. A few of them suggest we go trek and come back later in the day for the fun in the pool. Initially, about 25% agree with it. There is some more deliberations. Now its at 60%. With some convincing tricks the rest also agree. 100%!. But, are we prepared? Surprisingly, many of them were geared for it and those who were not quickly changed in alternatives and despite not having worn the right shoes or clothes decided to join the gang. Awesome!!

Uphill or Downhill - Its not going to be easy:

As we start our trek, the first 30mins was a breeze even though it was a steep climb. But slowly a few have started slowing down and then start halting or even dropping out on the way. Everyone was sweaty and thirsty. Thankfully we carried enough water and occasionally halted for selfies (check some pics on https://goo.gl/NmWWQn). However, everyone realised that it was indeed a tough climb but all tiredness was gone once we reached the top. The feeling of getting to the top is always beyond words. It truly is an amazing feeling. Once you have reached the top, you ought to go back from where you started to begin another journey. So we all did that. But on our way down we realised it was slippery and jerky. Our knees pained and so did our toes. So irrespective of going uphill or downhill we realised it wasn’t easy either ways.

Everyone has an important role to play: 

On our way up the hill the groups had started splitting up. Now we had three groups - 1) those who are leading from the front and swiftly moving to the top, 2) those in the middle ensuring they are going steady saving their energy for the last leg and also trying to keep company with the rest, 3) those that have slowed down and decided to go back to base - to ensure that the base camp was prepared to receive the rest of the groups with food and refreshments and most importantly transport back to the resort. So while everyone thoroughly enjoyed no one complained as they knew the pleasant experience was a collective and distributed effort of all three groups.

Finally, celebrate; In your own way: 

Tired and drained out once the team reached back to the resort everyone thought they would crash after lunch. But once everyone was fuelled they were all charged to jump into the pool. Every rushed to change their wear and in no time were scattered all over the place. A few were enjoying the rain shower, while a few on the serpentine slides, some just dipping from one pool to another and others just sitting on the sides having a good time. There were a few that even went and parked themselves in the cottage and were just chilling on the beds chatting away to glory. And now its time up! So everyone is back changing to get back to the the bus that will take everyone home. On our way we all were checking with each other on how they enjoyed their part in the resort and it seems everyone had a gala time even if they were not all together. Each on his own had a lot of fun in their own way!

The feeling of celebration was slowly sinking in when it was time to get home and look forward to the next day.