Do I have to set ambitious goals to be successful?

Some challenges light you up inside. Others make you say,

“Nope. Not for me. No thank you. Nope, nope, nopenopenope...” as you run in the other direction. 

I’ve been watching a lot of mountain climbing videos on YouTube recently.

Not the triumphant ones. The ones were people fall. 

Because I am very, Very, VERY afraid of heights. 

When I’m in a high place, my body freezes. 

Everything disappears except the instinct to lie down and press as much of my body as I can into the ground. To make sure that nothing can pull me off.

I then lie there, face down, screaming “LEAVE ME ALONE” until I die of old age, still gripping the ground with my teeth gritted and my eyes squeezed shut.

Which is why I can’t look away from the slow-motion stock footage of mountain climbers with yawning voids behind them while the voiceover describes how they fell. 

I’m obsessed because I know I’ll never look over the edge.

And yet, I NEED TO KNOW.

~~~Thought leadership below this line~~~

Business is like alpinism. 

Some of us dream about what it would be like to climb all the way to the top. 

To a place so rarified that if we die up there, our mummified remains get to stay for all of eternity. 

Because even in death, there are too few people strong enough to bring us back down.

But also because of how spectacular the fall can be.

In most cases, the valley means safety. Unless you’re take the express route from the top. 

One slip, one wrong move and it all could come crashing down. 

All 

the 

way 

down.

Some of us watch business because we imagine ourselves on the trail to the peak someday. 

But many of us watch because we have no appetite to try. And yet, we still wonder.

This new year, as everyone is setting their resolutions, I think it’s okay to recognize that just because you’re curious doesn't mean you have to achieve every peak yourself. 

We weren't all made to climb. It's already too crowded up there anyway.

Sherpas are badass, too.

And the helicopter pilots and SAR paramedics who rescue the lucky ones.

And the doctors who never leave the safety of the valley. 

And the people at the Nepalese tourism board who issue the permits.

And the people watching at home as they fold laundry.

Some of us watch the footage of Mt. Everest just to get pumped up to climb the hill on the edge of town. 

Which can be pretty badass, too. With the right playlist.

There’s nothing wrong with setting goals that ensure that even if you fail, you’ll still be home for dinner.