Sometimes we have to stop analyzing and just keep moving forward
I find nature to be an incredible teacher that provides perspective on life beyond the trail or outdoor experience. A long hike through an undulating tundra basin in the mountains reminded me that the only way to reach the summit is one step at a time. The same is true for achieving your goals, whether those are organizational or personal aspirations.
The path will reveal itself
The trail ended at a beautiful alpine lake. From this point, the route is undefined with no path to follow other than descriptions from previous hikers.
It sounded straightforward – follow the creek to the end of the basin and ascend the steep slopes to the peaks directly in front and to the right. The terrain looked easy enough with tundra spreading out into the high mountain bowl dotted by small rock outcroppings and boulders on either side.
What appeared to be a gentle slope was actually a series of earthen shelves like giant stair steps. The rocky ledges obscured our view and hid the high peaks that we used as landmarks.
I kept stopping to find the best line, the path of least resistance or the path that seemed closest to maintaining our direction into the basin. Should we go straight up this incline or veer to the right and avoid the steeper slope – not knowing if the shelf cliffed out or continued a moderate climb through tundra and rocks? The constant stopping equaled slow progress and building frustration.
Stop analyzing and trust your gut
I consulted my husband many times inquiring which way to go. After multiple stops and debates I realized that with each successive shelf climbed, the route up the next became clearer. I just needed to trust my intuition and keep moving forward.
Focusing on the ground and features in front of me I steadily put one foot in front of the other. Not always a straight line, but staying in the same directional path we knew to lead to the basin’s end. With each few steps I saw easy rocks and grassy ramps to ascend until we reached the highest point surrounded by high peaks. The rest was an easy scramble up the steep slope and onto our summit.
Just keep moving forward
Do you have an image of what you want your organization to be like or how you want to lead? Or perhaps you have personal goals you want to achieve but feel overwhelmed wondering where to start. There are so many different ways and choices to make, just like the route to the mountain. It’s easy to get bogged down in the how and which way and what is the PERFECT way, that we stop moving at all. We can be paralyzed by the unknown. This hike was a clear reminder that sometimes we have to trust that the path will reveal itself…but not until we take a few steps forward.
Don’t let analysis paralysis stop you in your tracks. Visualize achieving your goals. Choose one step that will move you closer to that vision and trust that the next step will be revealed. You will get nowhere if you sit and ponder the many ways you can get there and choose none of them. Pick the path that feels right and keep moving forward. Suddenly you’ll be at the end of the basin with the summit at your fingertips. Take the first steps – even baby steps.
If you need help identifying your next steps forward, schedule a complimentary strategy session.