Lessons From the Mountain #2: The Person With the Heavy Pack

Over the next several weeks, I will be highlighting the lessons that I have learned through my mountaineering experience that are applicable on the ground in the business world. Each week, I will highlight a simple little truth that will hopefully help you maintain a positive perspective, regardless of what you are going through at work! 

As I have developed and grown in my career over the years, I have learned that problems come and go, but a positive perspective can always stay consistent. Whether you are developing and building a new sales team, managing a sales team through seasons of decreased spending, building a marketing team, a re-brand or working to improve efficiencies with new processes and initiatives, the struggles change; but the thought processes and perspective used to work through any issues stay the same. 

As many of you know, I recently summited Mt Rainier Washington state with a team of amazing guys, and through that experience, I have come up with suggestions to overcoming problems in the corporate world. 

Lesson #2

It is never too early to prepare. Climbing Mt Rainier was not a two day journey. It was a journey that started over a year in advance. Gear was purchased, physical training plans were developed and implemented, and mental preparedness was enhanced. Each month, we saw ourselves get stronger and more confident. We grew as a team through the training process and we learned how to use the tools that were needed. When I say training, I don't just mean running a few miles or doing some lifting. It was our goal to go above and beyond what we knew we would face. Knowing that we would be carrying up to 50 lbs. of gear up the mountain, Despite the looks from my neighbors, I would hike through my neighborhood for hours with 75 lbs. of rice in my backpack, so as to make the 50 lb. bag feel light. We were going to have two days of intense climbing for close to 14 miles. So over the weekend, I would jog up and down hills for a total of 20+ miles over the two days. It wasn't going to be enough to just train and prepare for the exact weight and distance that we knew was coming; it was essential to be well prepared for even heavier and longer trials.

For you in your pursuits, you can be sure that some obstacles are going to come; a team member that is playing a critical role will leave, a budget item will not be approved that you believe is a necessary component.

There are several ways and circumstances that can and will derail a project. In each of these situations, with proper planning, the most painful part, the unexpected, can be avoided. If it can't be avoided, you will be prepared to work through it. Cross train your team. Hold meetings where staff can talk about their projects amongst each other. Perform activities that gel your group into a team with a common goal. Finally, work with others (staff, peers, mentors) to brainstorm and map out a "Plan B" for all budget items and potential hurdles. By thinking through as many potential outcomes as possible, and training "above and beyond" you will meet trials with more than enough stamina, and be glad that you invested the time to prepare for the unknown.

Keep climbing and check back in next week as we discuss saving some for the way down. 

John