How Important Is Mindset?
What Gives You Strength to Push Forward
--
Why is mindset such an important factor in success? What is it that makes someone push themselves for no other reason than to improve. Why do I engage in these types of activities. I have been asking myself this question over the last few days and it started on New Year’s Eve. I was dropping my kids off in the afternoon to their moms house and then I was headed to the mountain. I figured I could get one more summit of Tiger Mountain in 2020. What was pushing me to do this, why was I doing this? It was cold and raining, almost dark yet here I was lacing up my hiking shoes to climb 1500 feet in a mile and a half, and then run the trail back down for 3.5 miles. In the dark.
As I began my hike up through the mud and the slippery rocks, I began questioning my motives. Why am I here? What am I doing? I could wait until tomorrow and come back during daylight and maybe it won’t be raining. I had this internal need to test myself in otherwise adverse conditions. I had a need to make sure I could do it. I had opportunities to turn off and hit the trail prior to reaching the summit but I didn’t. I kept going, breathing hard, sweating, cooling off rapidly and trying to control it. Working to pick up the pace and never stopping for a break. I wanted to show no weakness. I wanted to show me and prove to myself that I had resolve and that I wouldn’t quit. I have come to a few conclusions and one is because I can. I have the ability to move and make myself better with each step I take, every task I put in front of myself. Some people don’t have these opportunities, some people can’t do this. I am sure there are people in this world that would trade everything just for the opportunity to walk up a mountain no matter what the weather or circumstance. Just to say they did it. And I am going to try and figure out a reason not to, that seems silly.
Also, I do it for my kids. How am I supposed to be a leader and teach them not to give up if I do. Is it fair to live a life of do as I say and not as I do. I don’t stand on any ground to dictate a way of life that I myself am not willing to lead. Just as I told my son a few days prior, what you do when people aren’t looking is what really matters. These are the moments that make me better, make me a better father, a better person, a better…
