A Lesson From a Rock Wall

You probably don’t know this, but my sister loves rock climbing and I’ve gone to her climbing gym several times. I always enjoyed the experience, but didn’t actively look for more rocks to climb.

Then, I was invited to go rock climbing in Alaska.

I was tired. I didn’t want to hurt myself. And I could have very easily just gone and relaxed somewhere much more comfortable (and safe!).

But… I couldn’t go all that way without at least trying, right?

I decided to go for it, and gave myself permission to only go as far as I wanted to, and to stop when I felt like it. I didn’t have to make it all the way to the top that day, I just had to try it.

I started the climb. What happened completely defied my expectations. At the climbing gym, the climbs are color coded and pre-set to be accomplished.  There on a natural wall in Alaska I had to figure out how to get to the top on my own (with a little guidance from the climbing instructor).

The rock wall was like a puzzle, and all I could do to solve it was focus on my next move. Right hand first. Then left hand. Right foot, left foot. Moving upward became a challenge in advancing, assessing, and correcting.

Can I get a handhold here? Nope, try over here!

Left foot is slipping, try a better grip!

Advance, assess, correct.

Before I knew it, I was advancing up with careful moves — and with focus, focus, focus.  Instead of thinking about how tired I was or how I might not reach the top, my goal shifted to pure enjoyment of the process.

Sure enough, I made it to the top. But it was the experience of trying that was the real win.

Are you standing at the bottom of a new challenge? Focus on the experience.  Advance, assess, and correct. Hire an instructor or coach if needed. And above all, start the climb!

Mary Cravets

Founder Mary Cravets started Simply Get Clients because she saw small business owners complicating growing their businesses. Or falling victim to the "build it and they will come" myth. So she developed the simple structure to cut through all the noise of social media, "experts", online funnels, advertising and more to focus on the central problem of business owners: getting more clients. And you know what? There is NOT a one-size-fits-all solution.

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    • Mary Cravets says

      It was… and as soon as my feet hit solid ground I was starting to write this blog in my head!