The last time, I left you with a bit of a cliffhanger. I hope if you didn’t read last week’s entry, you’ll head back and take a look. The question was whether I was going to make it to the top of Japan’s Mount Daisen or if I was going to throw in the towel like many others I saw and simply recognize that I wasn’t built for mountain climbing.

Despite the fact that I was slowing everybody down around me because I didn’t have the necessary knowledge and training to make it up to the top of that majestic peak a mile in the sky, I made it. But it wasn’t just that I made it alone. The truth is, had I set out on that journey by myself, I would have given up.

I got to the summit because of the people who were with me. They knew the field of mountain climbing. They had done this trek many times and recognized where a rookie like me would have problems. And most thankfully, they knew how to go at my pace. The others in my party became my coaches and I never would have been able to succeed by myself.

When I was on that mountain, it didn’t matter that I can speak multiple languages. It didn’t matter that I have multiple master’s degrees. It didn’t matter if I was rich or poor, funny or dull, a great father or a deadbeat. Everything else was noise. I knew I could get up that hill, but I knew I couldn’t do it alone.

One of the guides who helped me told me that he didn’t continue school after the age of 11. Another told me how they were raised by their older sister after the death of their parents. Another climbed the mountain in such tattered rags, I can’t imagine they had very much money. But I needed all of them. I didn’t have the skills I needed to get to the next goal, but these coaches did.

They taught me to focus on the goal, regardless of my burning thighs and aching feet. They taught me to alter my breathing. Gulping oxygen in that altitude, which made sense to me, is actually the opposite thing you should do. I never would have known that without their expertise. Nor would I have known I was holding the hiking staff incorrectly before we took our first steps.

I share this story with many of my coaching clients who are medical professionals, usually on the first or second meeting (I look forward the day we can meet face-to-face again!) we have because they almost all say the same thing:

“Arnel, I wanted to be a (doctor/nurse/pharmacist/etc.) for a long time. I went to school and studied and devoted my life to learning how to help people. And I thought I was enjoying it at first, at least I told myself that. I can’t even lie to myself anymore, but I can’t figure out what to do. Shouldn’t I know? I’m a smart person!”

I’ll then ask them: “Do you know how to play the violin? Do you know how to build an engine? Can you recite the Gettysburg Address in Swahili?” They’ll laugh because my point is made.

Much like I needed specialized help to reach the top of Mount Daisen, we need coaches in our regular lives, especially when something seems difficult or we hit hard times. Even the best athletes in the world use coaches every day. Michael Jordan was never coached by somebody who was a better basketball player than he was, but he was coached by men who brought other things MJ didn’t bring to the table. 

The key was that Jordan, whatever his public persona, was always personally and privately able to ask for help. The question is, can you? I can’t teach you how to slam dunk a basketball, and I’m probably still not the guy to help you climb a mountain, but I am the right pick when you’re looking for happiness, quality-of-life, and professional satisfaction. If you’re looking for these, drop me a note and we’ll combine our strengths to get you where you want to be.