Halfway up the mountain...

Last week in the White Mountains (New Hampshire).

About two hours into an intense climb...

Heart racing.

Legs resisting.

Sweat dripping.

Every step requiring more intention than the one before.

I'd already covered miles and climbed roughly 3,000 feet, yet when I looked up, all I could see were more rocks... more trees... and more mountain.

Not a summit.

Not a finish line.

No reassurance this effort would be worth it.

Just more inclining trail.

The wind had started to pick up.

I found myself unconsciously rationing my water.

Quietly wondering...

Did I underestimate this?

Am I really in shape for what's still ahead?

Maybe the smart move is to turn around now?

Something interesting happens in moments like this.

The mountain has a way of exposing what's happening inside your head.

One voice says,

"This is enough."

Another says,

"You've already come this far."

Another starts calculating, is this worth it… it’s much smarter to turn around.

And then there's the quiet voice with resolve that says...

"You Committed - Keep Going. Take the next step."

Over the next few emails, I will share a few moments from this hike.. not because they're about hiking.

They're about leadership.

About business.

About family.

About the moments when you're carrying more responsibility than anyone around you realizes, and the path forward isn't nearly as obvious or simple as everyone thinks it should be.

The mountain surprised me.

Not because it was harder than I expected.

Because it revealed patterns I've noticed in leaders over the years.

I'll share one soon and it has almost nothing to do with climbing...

...and everything to do with making better decisions, especially when the stakes are high.

Meanwhile, one question for you...

What conversations are you carrying around in your head? 

Hit reply: One Sentence or even just a word. 

Ezra Meyer

Ps -   Reply with “Climbing” - I'll know what you mean

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