How To Climb Mountains
I would like to share with you one of the best guides on 'climbing mountains' out there. This was written by Paulo Coelho and I believe it captures how we should communicate the things we do in life, especially the big projects we take on, and how we should (I actually believe its our collective responsibility) share the lessons we have learned while climbing our own mountains so that others may benefit from our experiences and possibly not repeat the same mistakes but more importantly, so that they become inspired to take on big challenges as well.
This is the makeshift school in Isla Mababoy, Masbate that we have been blessed to have helped build.
How to Climb Mountains
by Paulo Coelho
Choose the mountain you want to climb
Don't be influenced by what other people say: 'that one's prettier' or 'that one looks easier.' You are going to put a lot of energy and enthusiasm into achieving your objective, and you are the only person responsible for your choice, so be quite sure about what you are doing.
Find out how to reach the mountain
Often you can see the mountain in the distance – beautiful, interesting, full of challenges. However, when you try to reach it, what happens? It's surrounded by roads; forests lie between you and your objective; and what seems clear on the map is far more complicated in reality. So you must try all the paths and tracks until, one day, you find yourself before the peak you intend to climb.
Learn from someone who has been there before
However unique you may think you are, there is always someone who has had the same dream before, and who will have left signs behind that will make the climb less arduous: the best place to attach a rope, trodden paths, branches broken off to make it easier to pass. It is your climb and it is your responsibility too, but never forget that other people's experiences are always helpful.
Dangers, seen from close to, are controllable
When you start to climb the mountain of your dreams, pay attention to what is around you. There are, of course, precipices. There are almost imperceptible cracks. There are stones polished so smooth by rain and wind that they have become as slippery as ice. But if you know where you are putting your foot, you will see any traps and be able to avoid them.
The landscape changes, so make the most of it
You must, naturally, always keep in mind your objective – reaching the top. However, as you climb, the view changes, and there is nothing wrong with stopping now and then to enjoy the vista. With each metre you climb, you can see a little further, so take time to discover things you have never noticed before.
Respect your body
You will only manage to climb a mountain if you give your body the care it deserves. You have all the time that life gives you, so do not demand too much from your body. If you walk too quickly, you will grow tired and give up halfway. If you walk too slowly, night might fall and you will get lost. Enjoy the landscape, drink the cool spring water, and eat the fruit that Nature so generously offers you, but keep walking.
Respect your soul
Don't keep repeating, "I'm going to do it." Your soul knows this already. What it needs to do is to use this long walk in order to grow, to reach out as far as the horizon, to touch the sky. Obsession will not help you in the search for your goal, and will end up spoiling the pleasure of the climb. On the other hand, don't keep repeating 'It's harder than I thought,' because that will sap your inner strength.
Be prepared to go the extra mile
The distance to the top of the mountain is always greater than you think. There is bound to come a moment when what seemed close is still very far away. But since you are prepared to go still further, this should not be a problem.
Be joyful when you reach the top
Cry, clap your hands, shout out loud that you made it; let the wind (because it is always windy up there) purify your mind, cool your hot, weary feet, open your eyes, blow the dust out of your heart. What was once only a dream, a distant vision, is now part of your life. You made it, and that is good.
Make a promise
Now that you have discovered a strength you did not even know you had, tell yourself that you will use it for the rest of your days; promise yourself, too, to discover another mountain and set off on a new adventure.
Tell your story
Yes, tell your story. Be an example to others. Tell everyone that it's possible, and then others will find the courage to climb their own mountains.
So there you have it from the man himself who has written so many books and has touched millions of lives. Now, if you're still wondering what the next step is, I'm quoting from Nike: Just do it!
Success without succession is a failure
I recently read the document that Acumen Fund released entitled “10 Things We’ve Learned About Tackling Global Poverty,” and the one thing that really struck me to be very important was Lesson #4:
We won’t succeed in the long term without cultivating local leaders, local money, and strong local communities.
The biggest challenge that any organization faces is sustainability. And for me (esp. for the nonprofit world), what particularly drive sustainability are three things: leadership, resources, and community involvement. Leadership not only provides the direction but also the inspiration so that members and volunteers can deliver on goals, objectives and can raise enough funds and resources to get things done.
Leadership is also about reproduction of future leaders and this is where most organizations fail – for me, the real test of sustainability is when organizations are able to attract potential leaders who can take on future challenges and also when they are able to cultivate local leaders.
In our example, a bulk of our fundraising comes from Manila, which is miles away from Zamboanga and Masbate so it is very important that there are local teams in these areas as well who can raise enough resources on their own.
Lastly, when we were starting out at the last part of 2010 and early part of 2011, Anton Lim, our Chief Dreamer, introduced the concept of sweat equity in Layag-Layag wherein he made sure that the local community we are about to help and support will also do their share in the project. He talked to our key partners and the community leaders on the ground that the boat (and any other future boats) needs to be maintained by the community as a whole.
We also made sure that they begin helping themselves by bringing in experts who can help them improve their livelihood, access to government agencies who can help them in their healthcare needs and their access to social services, and also volunteers from other organizations who can teach them about how to clean and take care of the environment and other basic stuff.
What this lesson didn’t mention though is the important presence of both passion and patience in an organization’s leaders and members. Passion is the difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.
To end, I agree with known venture capital guru, Randy Komisar that “only passion will get you through the tough times. It’s the romance, not the finance that makes business worth pursuing.”
And so for the rest of 2012, I wish that you find your passion in life and remember sharing success creates more of it.
An Amazing True Story
This is the most amazing 'amazing' story I've read. All our actions truly create ripples.
(I do not know the author, if you know him/her, please comment here. Thanks.)
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This is a true story that had happened in 1892 at Stanford University . It's moral is still relevant today.
A young, 18 year old student was struggling to pay his fees. He was an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for money, he came up with a bright idea. A friend and he decided to host a musical concert on campus to raise money for their education.
They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2,000 for the piano recital. A deal was struck. And the boys began to work to make the concert a success.
The big day arrived. Paderewski performed at Stanford. But unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was only $1,600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski and explained their plight. They gave him the entire $1,600, plus a cheque for the balance of $400. They promised to honour the cheque soonest possible.
"No." said Paderewski. "This is not acceptable," he tore up the cheque, returned the $1,600 and told the boys "Here's the $1,600. Please deduct whatever expenses you have incurred. Keep the money you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left." The boys were surprised, and thanked him profusely.
It was a small act of kindness. But it clearly marked out Paderewski as a great human being. Why should he help two people he did not even know? We all come across situations like these in our lives. And most of us only think "If I help them, what would happen to me?"
The truly great people think, "If I don't help them, what will happen to them?" They don't do it expecting something in return. They do it because they feel it's the right thing to do.
Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland. He was a great leader, but unfortunately when the World War began, Poland was ravaged. There were over 1.5 million people starving in his country, and no money to feed them.
Paderewski did not know where to turn for help. He reached out to the US Food and Relief Administration for help.
The head was a man called Herbert Hoover - who later went on to become the US President. Hoover agreed to help and quickly shipped tons of food grains to feed the starving Polish people. A calamity was averted.
Paderewski was relieved. He decided to go across to meet Hoover and personally thank him. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his noble gesture, Hoover quickly interjected and said, "You shouldn't be thanking me, Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but several years ago, you helped two young students go through college in the US . I was one of them."
The world is a wonderful place. What goes around usually comes around.
Leadership is all about LOVE
PASSION. Appetite for LIFE.
Engagement.
Commitment.
Great causes and the determination to make a difference.
Shared adventures.
Bizarre failures.
Growth.
Insatiable appetite for CHANGE.
(adopted from Tom Peters in Re-Imagine).