5 Business Lessons from Climbing Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc is the tallest peak in the Alps and one of the highest mountains in the world. With a summit of 4,808 meters (15,7771 ft) in elevation, climbing to the top was not an easy task. It was one that involved careful preparation and a drive to continue when it became difficult. My experience on Mont Blanc made me reflect on building and operating a business, and it gave me lessons to use in the business world.

1. Breaking a goal into smaller pieces will make it easier

When taken as one giant mountain, the task of summiting Mont Blanc seems nearly impossible. If you break it down, though, it becomes a lot more manageable. Instead of thinking that you have to climb all 4,808 meters (15,771 ft) , break that number down into smaller chunks. This gave me short-term goals and periods to rest and recharge. Before I knew it, I had completed all of my smaller goals and reached the top.

This mentality can help in the business world too. Ambitious goals should be applauded, but they can also make starting a business overwhelming. Instead of immediately aiming for a million dollars in revenue, aim for a more reasonable goal. Focus on establishing a few clients, and celebrate the wins that you do get. With time, you will achieve bigger goals and reach the metaphorical summit.

2. The battle is won during preparation

If I tried to climb Mont Blanc without any preparation, I would have failed. I am not a sports guy, so I had to train to get my body ready for such a tough task. To prepare myself for the mountain, I spent five months going to the gym and running. I built up my strength and endurance so that I was ready for the challenge of the mountain. 

Preparation is key to business success too. If you go into an interview or investor pitch without preparation, you cannot expect to have success. Instead, you should prepare for questions you will be asked and familiarize yourself with material you may be interviewed about. If you prepare for as many contingencies as you can, you are much more likely to be successful.

3. Have ambitious but realistic goals

Mont Blanc is the tallest summit in Western Europe, but it is not the tallest or most dangerous summit in the world. When I decided that I wanted to climb a mountain, I made sure to aim my sights ambitiously but also realistically. I wanted to do more than say that I climbed up the big hill in my village, but I also knew that Mount Everest was off the table. Mont Blanc was a great balance of ambition and realism. 

This balance between ambition and realism should also guide your goals in business. Recognize the skills that you have and your potential. Maybe your company is not destined to be an IPO, but you might become a key player in your local market. Set challenges for yourself, but make sure that you do not set the bar impossibly high.

4. It's easier to accomplish a goal for something you're passionate about

Climbing a mountain was not something that I casually decided to do. It had been a long-term goal of mine, something that I wanted to do long before actually doing any work to prepare for it. This passion is what kept me going, even when the climb was hard. Getting to the top of Mont Blanc wasn't something that I simply wanted to do; it was something I felt passionate about doing. This passion is what got me to the summit.

Passion for your business is just as important. No one, no client or investor, is going to care as much about your business as you will. Your business should be something that matters to you, something that you can geek out about. If you aren't passionate about your business, it is likely that you'll want to give up. With passion, you'll find that your business is important to you. Researching for business is important to me, and I love what sellerdirectories.com has to offer.

5. Believe in your project, but focus on the journey

As much as we might prepare, sometimes there are simply things that are out of our control. On the day that I climbed Mont Blanc, there was a 50% chance that the weather would not allow me to continue. Luckily, the odds worked out for me that day, but if things turned out differently, then all of my work may have been for nothing. This is why the journey is just as important as the goal. If I couldn't have made it to the top of Mont Blanc, I would have been disappointed, but the amount that I learned and gained during my preparation would still have remained.

Your journey in business is like this as well. Try as you may, there are some factors that you just can't control. Competitors, market shifts, and more can impact your business, even if you are prepared and passionate. Because of this, focus on what you can control, and ignore what you cannot. Even if your project does not succeed as you had hoped, you will gain valuable insight and experience.

Reaching the summit of Mont Blanc is a lot like running a business. It required preparation, passion, and setting goals. With these things in mind, taking that next step in business is a lot more manageable. Thank you to sellerdirectories.com for the climbing support.