It is not what stands before us that stops us from achieving greatness, but the obstacles that lie within that prove the most challenging.
“Train hard, try hard, follow your dreams”. The words of the world’s leading free solo climber nail it. Alex Honnold is a true champion of living your dream.
This is a sentiment echoed amongst the greats of the sport and free climbing community.
In a breathtaking video of the worlds longest, hardest rope-less solo climb, Honnold free climbs his way up 2.5km of sheer rock face and finishes with a smile and skip along the ridge. He looks like a child at play.
See it here: https://youtu.be/Phl82D57P58
There are 6 qualities that characterise any achievement of this magnitude; 6 qualities that predict excellence in performance.
- Preparation
- Planning
- Promise
- Purpose
- Patience
- Precision
Preparation - sufficient time, thought, energy and resources being put into the consideration of all elements of the task. Preparation is about being mentally connected, physically ready, and emotionally resilient for the task at hand.
Planning - putting all your ducks in a row. Ensuring that each piece of the plan is considered - nothing missed. Sub-optimal conditions do not pre-determine failure, it just requires an adjustment in planning.
Promise - this is a pledge that the challenge shall be met; that the goal shall be achieved. Promise is the demonstration that you really mean it.
Purpose needs to be big. A sense of purpose compels action, stokes the fire in the belly and provides a reason to not just commit, but to continue.
Patience ….
Watch closely as Honnold slowly places his hands and feet for each move. Observe his quiet, calm, methodical approach to the rock and his strong, unfaltering ascent. Patience allows him to see the possibilities before him and take time to choose the very best option.
Precision - determines the level of execution of the task. Every good climber has this skill, as they place their confidence in their own safety on the security of a tiny touch and pressure on a rock. Precision allows them to understand the implications of their action and be able to make predictions for the future.
These Powerful Ps can help predict performance. Overlooking any of these elements for Honnold could and likely would result in a disasterous fail. Mind your Ps and never Quit if there is a goal that truly has meaning for you, in life and in business.
Go forth, be amazing. Train hard, try hard and follow your dreams!
