Life Lessons from Mt. Kilimanjaro

While I was in college I edited a manuscript for a friend whose novel was set on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Ever since then I have wanted to climb the mountain, described as one of the highest walkable mountains in the world at 19,300 feet. This past December I finally faced my fears and did it. After years of helping startup companies face daunting challenges , it was time for my husband and I to face our own uncertainties. Would the lack of oxygen extinguish our will to go on, forcing us to turn back? Had the year's preparation of weekly hikes and extreme cardio workouts been enough? Are you ever really ready? The first day, starting in a tropical rain forest, was not too bad. Neither was the second, in which we traversed multiple climate zones to 12,000 feet. Then came the sleet and snow, and the unrelenting winds. By the time we reached camp at 15,000 we were exhausted, hungry and cranky. We could see the summit ahead of us, and it looked close. But as someone said: "It's further than you think, it's steeper than you think, and it's harder than you think." After sleeping a few hours we woke at 11:30, had a quick cup of tea and began our ascent at midnight. It was grueling. Hour after hour of traversing the rocky slopes, in the sleet and wind. We all struggled, mostly with our own minds, fighting the little voice inside that kept saying "You can't do this. Time to turn back." Just as I decided to pack it in, my husband said, "The way I look at it, it's only eight hours out of my life." Suddenly it didn't seem so daunting. Finally we broke through the cloud cover, the sun was shining, and just above us we saw the summit of Kilimanjaro. That's all it took to give us the extra burst of energy to make it to the top. What a spectacular view, and an unbelievable sense of accomplishment: all in all, a memory that will never be erased. With startups, we've all had that moment when we feel like we just can't go on, and question whether we should have started this endeavor in the first place. The obstacles seem too daunting, the probability of failure too overwhelming. But just as in climbing a mountain, you have to keep pushing. In spite of the frustrations and the challenges, giving up is never an option. Take the risk, dig deep, give it your all, take it one step at a time, and you can make it to the top. Tanya Candia CEO Candia Communications LLC  www.candiacomm.com