Miley Cyrus’ song, “The Climb,” serves as a compelling motivational anthem. For those who have not yet experienced its lyrics, it is worth listening to or reading the lyrics.
Personally, when I find myself stuck, overwhelmed, or discouraged, “The Climb” inspires me into action.
I remind myself of my ambitious personal and professional goals, then play the song at maximum volume, singing along at the top of my lungs until I am propelled into action, taking one step closer on my journey.
I remember getting promoted from Senior Manager to Director; my immediate response to my leader was, “Thank you, how exciting, now how do I get to Sr. Director?” Her response, quite quickly, “For God’s sake, Heather, can you just enjoy this promotion before you let your ambition push you towards what’s next?” 😊
This gave me cause to pause. I was so fixated on the desired end state that I missed what mattered most. From that moment on, throughout my career, I have observed the transformative power of embracing the climb rather than fixating solely on the destination. From time to time, I have to remind myself of the power of the climb as I relish in its glory, serving as the fuel for my joy and fulfillment.
We can often take for granted the micro and macro learnings that the climb can teach us. It can be difficult when we are fixated on results and destinations. It is easy to overlook the beauty and growth inherent in the journey itself.
The journey is where true transformation occurs. Do not get me wrong, achieving major milestones or realizing goals is undeniably awesome, but what if we pause frequently to enjoy ourselves along the journey?
As I reflect on my learning, the following list serves as a reminder of the significance of embracing the climb.
The Significance of Embracing the Climb
- Learning From Mistakes As an employee, leader, and now business owner, I have made and continue to make mistakes. They used to hold me back and derail me. I would get stuck in neutral and wallow in my sorrow, getting in my way. Now, when I make a mistake, I own it, wrap my arms around it, and learn from it. Mistakes are gifts on our climb that enable us to grow. Do you learn from your mistakes?
- Personal Growth The climb is where I encounter challenges, setbacks, and opportunities for growth. Embracing this climb fosters my resilience, adaptability, and the evolution of my perspectives while also helping me to acquire new skills.
The personal growth we experience along the way shapes us into better leaders. Who doesn’t want to be a better leader? Do we ever really arrive? - Learning Mindset Focusing exclusively on the destination caused me to miss valuable lessons and experiences. Embracing the climb encourages a growth mindset characterized by continuously learning with unlimited curiosity – essential qualities for effective leadership. Who doesn’t want to be an effective leader?
- Building Relationships Embracing the climb has allowed me to connect meaningfully with others who share my path, fostering relationships through collaboration, support, and camaraderie. On my climb, I navigate unchartered waters quite often, so tapping into the power of my network has been invaluable.
We are not on an island, though sometimes it might feel that way. Leveraging the power of our network can be an asset, not only in our personal lives but also in further supporting our leadership toolkit. - Celebrating Progress Every step forward, regardless of size, deserves celebration. I adopted a mindset of progress over perfection. While this was challenging, it was also liberating. By embracing the climb, I am giving space to acknowledge and appreciate progress, giving me a sense of accomplishment and motivation. Every step forward is significant and impactful.
Every step matters – even the little ones- so stop occasionally and celebrate your progress! - Finding Purpose The climb itself can be a profound source of purpose and fulfillment. Embracing the climb helped me shift my focus from external validation to internal satisfaction, allowing me to find meaning in the pursuit of my goals rather than solely in their attainment. Game-changing!
So, if you haven’t done so already, embrace the climb!
Savour every twist, turn, and uphill battle along the way. Remember, the true value lies not only in reaching our goals but also in the individuals we become and the experiences we gain along the way.
My goal is to one day step onto a world stage and inspire others. The Climb will be my entrance song.
Is there a song that inspires you to take action, much like “The Climb” does for me?