Show that Mountain Who’s Boss

As an avid cyclist, there isn’t a trail or road I don’t want to tackle. When I first moved to Southern California, one of my first rides was Latigo Canyon in the Santa Monica mountains. My buddies had warned me that it was a bear of a ride, but I figured I’d ridden enough challenging paths that I had it under control.

I set out that morning with a healthy dose of confidence, meaning I figured I’d be done early enough to make plans immediately afterwards. About 50 miles into the ride,we encountered the mountain. As I climbed higher, my spirits sank lower. Not only was it a steep grade, but I was unprepared for a long day in the punishing sun, and I hadn’t brought enough food or water. I pushed and pushed, but it finally dawned on me that this mountain was more than I could handle.

So, why am I telling you this story? Well, for starters, it’s National Bike Month. And a challenging bike ride in many ways is a lot like the challenges we face at work. Each of us has had moments where we think we have a situation under control – maybe it’s meeting a critical deadline, perhaps it’s persuading a tough stakeholder. We give it our best, but there’s a point when we realize that we’re losing the battle.

In situations like these, giving up is not a sign of weakness. It’s a level of self-awareness that, sometimes, claiming victory involves taking a step back and reassessing. It’s acknowledging that even the most thorough preparation may not always bring the results we want. And in some cases, it could inspire and energize you.

Giving up is not a sign of weakness ... It’s a level of self-awareness.

A month or two after the first attempt, I set out to show that mountain who was boss. The higher I climbed, the more euphoric I felt. It was still challenging, but I’d learned a few things since the first ride. Using breath and focus of mind, I made it to the top. And then I rode down and climbed up again, out of sheer spite. To this day, each time I ride Latigo Canyon I ride it twice.

All this to say that the experiences we have when we’re not at work can serve as a driving force in our professional lives, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. For me, that first failed attempt to reach the top of the mountain was an invaluable lesson about perseverance. Sometimes, the power to achieve is cleverly packaged as a perceived failure. The trick in succeeding is knowing when to get back on the bike.

I’d love to hear what challenging experiences you’ve faced that have inspired you to overcome roadblocks in your career. Share your stories in the comments.