What do you do when you lose your strongest support? When suddenly the ground beneath you seems to give way?
When I heard the news of the chairlift accident at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine that sent six skiers to the ground, my heart skipped a beat. I am an occasional skier who hardly gets on a chairlift or gondola without thinking, “What if this thing breaks while I’m in it?” Yet I try to focus on getting to the top of the mountain. So far I have.
At Sugarloaf, two of the fallen skiers who had sat side-by-side in the same chairlift did not know each other. However after the accident, one went to visit the other in the hospital. Tragedy can bring out the best in people in unpredictable ways.
Last year, I lost my biggest supporter, my Dad. When he passed, I felt the ground crumble beneath me. I fell into a deep sadness. Yet I found new support and inspiration through unlikely encounters with other friends and acquaintances that fueled new convictions in my life and work.
The lift started working again. I just needed to take my seat and trust the process. The view seemed different and the journey more important.
My sights are now set on a higher peak – a higher purpose – one that enables me to expand my services and expertise in new and creative ways.
This year, I hope you will make the transformations that will give you more of what you really want, especially if you’ve fallen in some way. It’s hard to achieve success when you’re focused on possible failures, disappointments, insecurities or obstacles.
Don’t look down.
Loss is an inevitable part of business and life, but it leads to growth. At times you may lose money, resources, confidence, security, strength, friends, energy or sanity. But you’ll gain more in the long run.
If you do nothing else this week, sharpen your focus and commit or re-commit to what you most want to accomplish. It’s okay if you see a few clouds around your goal. That’s not unusual if you’re aiming high enough. The fog clears as you make your ascent.
Look for your lift. It will appear when you’ve got your destination in view. When you’re truly committed to your big goal, your lift will come in the form of people, ideas and experiences to help you move forward more easily.
Is it time for you to reach new heights?
Consider me part of your support team to help you catch your ride, recover from the falls and make it to the top!