3 Tips for Climbing Your Personal Mountains

Sir Edmund Hilary, the first man to climb Mount Everest, once said, “It is not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves.” Whether you are trying to climb physical mountains or the metaphysical mountains you encounter in your everyday life, here are some tips to keep in mind that might make your journey easier.

1) Carry as little as possible.
When climbing a mountain, you need to take as few items with you as possible. The less you take with you, the faster and longer you can climb. When you face life’s challenging mountains, stick to the same rule. The more you can simplify your life, the better. If your house is full of clutter, clean it out and throw things away. If you carry emotional baggage with you, deal with it so you can throw it off the side of the mountain and get rid of it. All the clutter in your life, physical and emotional, only serves to hold you back from reaching your goals.

2) Take your time.
If you try and rush to the summit of a mountain as fast as you can, you risk slipping, losing your grip, skipping safety precautions, and potentially falling to your demise. Did you know what climbers do when they get to the top of Mount Everest? Most of them take a picture and head back down as soon as possible. There’s a lesson in that: climbing mountains is not about reaching the summit but about the climb itself. When you face your personal mountains, think of them the same way. You may face challenges, but it is the way that you deal with those challenges that counts, not that they are finally over. So, slow down, deal with things properly and in an orderly fashion. If you try and hurry, you may miss something or make a mistake, causing you to back track and even start all over again from the beginning.

3) Pick the right climbing partners.
You never want to climb a mountain alone, and you always want to have people with you who have experience mountain climbing. The same goes for your life. Having friends and loved ones with you during your challenges and difficulties makes it easier. They can help you carry your load, lift you up, and use their strength to pull you to safety. What’s more, make sure that those with whom you surround yourself are the kind of people that will help you when things get difficult. Surround yourself with uplifting and supporting friends and family and you’ll make it to the summit of all of life challenges.

Gunter Jameson writes about several topics including travel, minimalism and online classes.