Climb Every Mountain

This blog post really sums up the past few years of my business and my life …..and I wanted to share it with you.

Last weekend, I set the goal to head to Sedona (I was in Phoenix on business, so it seemed like the natural thing to do for a few days!) – and I set the goal to challenge myself physically. My brain is tired from the past few months and years of very intense work as I built my business. It was time to challenge the body, because I had been working with a trainer and a nutritionist for over a year and I wanted to see what I could accomplish.

And so I headed to Cathedral Rock!

I was alone.

I was determined.

I had a clear vision.

I felt ready.

I was scared (it was an intimidating climb)!

And I set out – one step at a time. The great part about any of the climbs in Sedona is that there are lots of people around. I knew I wanted to get to the top – I had spoken with people earlier at breakfast about the climb, so I knew it was going to be tough, but not impossible.

And that’s when I knew for sure that I had to get my thinking in order!

And so it began.One step at a time. One breath at a time – the altitude was getting to me already. One rest at a time. One photo at a time. Yes, I was going to document this, LOL. And, as I climbed and as it got harder and harder, that’s when I knew the lessons were coming fast and furious. Here’s what I learned:

  1. Life is reflected in the way we handle our business. It may seem/feel easy when we start out, but it does get more difficult and it’s not for the faint of heart.
  2. You’ve got to have a very clear vision – filled with emotion and tangible outcomes.
  3. You’ve got to take it one step at a time. There are no giant leaps in life and/or in business.
  4. Ask for help. No one can do ‘this’ (business, or life!) alone. No one!
  5. It’s easier with help, LOL! You’re more likely to get ‘there’.
  6. Breathe.
  7. Stop and enjoy the view – it’s amazing – and keep your eye on where you are going. There are lots of distractions.
  8. Know that it takes preparation to endure the journey – physical, emotional, mental, financial, psychological and more.
  9. Stay focused! There were many people, along the climb, who told me ‘it’s ok to quit. You’ve come a long way already.” It’s the same in business – many people will encourage you to be happy with what you have. WHAT? WHY? This is YOUR life/business – not theirs.
  10. It is a lonely journey in that your thoughts and self-talk are your own. No one else is in your head as you make that climb. It’s what you tell yourself along the way that will determine the outcome.
  11. Celebrate. I stopped frequently on the climb – to sit, to enjoy the view, to hydrate, to chat with others, to celebrate and take photos and document the journey and just sit and smile.
  12. Know that it’s THE hardest/most difficult just when you are about to get to the top! I really wasn’t sure I could do that last part – but I had others AT the top cheering me on! That is a key to success – having others AT THE TOP cheering you on. It’s crowded down at the bottom with people just watching ……….don’t be one of them. You deserve better.

AND THEN I MADE IT.

The view was incredible.

The sense of accomplishment was out of this world.

I cried, both tears of fear and joy.

I took lots of photos and videos.

I took photos of others (couples/families) so THEY could have a memory of their climb.

And then it was time to go back down. Yikes! It looked harder than the climb up. It really did. And right away, others were saying ‘let us help you. Watch how we do it. You’re not alone.”

It’s the same in business.

Take heed to what I have written here. Where are you in your business right now? Go back and review my comments/questions above. Take heed to what I have shared – and

GO CLIMB YOUR MOUNTAIN.

I’M HERE TO HELP AND CHEER YOU ON.

Signing off with feelings of happiness, accomplishment, joy, and enthusiasm for my next climb!

How about YOU? Post a comment on my blog and let me know your thoughts, ok?….
https://patmussieux.com/blog/

Be sure to check out my photos on FB, ok??!! Enjoy!

Author: Pat Mussieux

Pat has built the new business she's dreamed of, without compromise. She has been nominated, for the past 4 years, for the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award and have won 4 STEVIE Awards for Women in Business. Pat has also hosted her own local radio show for 4 years and now hosts a live talk show on local TV interviewing successful women entrepreneurs and sharing their stories. She has written 3 books – the latest of which is ‘Stop Compromising and Make All the Money You Want! A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Starting Up and Starting Over.’

8 Comments

  1. Wonderful blog Pat. Thank you! I’m going to print this out – because, although I need this message right now – I know I’m going to need it again too! Wise words.

    • Thanks, Heather. So much more I could have written about that experience. It was much more than I had anticipated –

      Happy to know you are printing it out. Enjoy. Hope the rest of your week has gone well.

      Pat

  2. Loved this blog Pat! And enjoyed watching your journey as you continued to post. Thank you!

    • Victoria- thank you! So happy you are enjoying the journey- it’s been quite the adventure!!

      Pat

  3. Hi Pat,

    Congratulations to you! I’m heading out to Colorado this year to see my niece and great nephew and my bucket list includes climbing one of the peaks/mountains out there. I also want to go back to Sedona and climb to Cathedral Rock one day!

    It’s so true; no matter what we challenge ourselves to do in life, we need support. Whether we’re learning to train to speak or train for a half marathon or train to climb a mountain, half the battle is mindset and half the battle is support from trainers, friends, and people we don’t even know. Wonderful blog and incentive for all. Thanks for sharing!

    Below – new website coming soon – new name, colors, verbiage, etc.

    • Hi Colleen – thanks for your kind note and perspective. I totally agree. As I was climbing that mountain, my thoughts were all over the place – health, business, life and so on. So many lessons once we learn to challenge ourselves, stretch our comfort zone – and learn to be still with our thoughts, too.

      Enjoy Colorado!

      Pat

  4. What a journey, amazing message and accomplishment Pat!! You are so bang on, and your reminder is so timely and important for all of us who run our own business. Ultimately it’s a solo journey in our heads, AND it’s essential to help and cheerleaders! I especially like the idea of looking up and seeing others cheering you on, who are breathing the air you want to breathe. That pulls me forward. I am going to print out those lessons too!

    • Carrie, thanks so much for your kind note. Always a pleasure to connect with you.

      The whole concept of ‘looking up’ was on my mind as I made the climb, both in biz in the past 7 years and on that mountain. Glad you resonated with it.

      Pat

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