🧗 After trekking Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar, Cho La and Renjo La passes, I hear the crisp Himalayan wind, rushing rivers and yak herd bells in my mind. While my mind wanders, I reflect on these takeaways:
🗻Train hard, hike easy
Training hikes help hikers stay in tip-top shape to prevent injuries and fatigue. The harder you train, the more you enjoy the scenery.
In business and life, hone your knowledge to avoid failure. Lawyers research and prepare heavily before cases. Read latest case laws or studies; discuss with peers; speak at or attend seminars; write about industry issues. Don’t play catch-up or set yourself up for failure.
🗻Always expect the best, prepare for the worst
Hikers prepare for emergencies but nature inevitably throws obstacles. Hikers are optimistic but adapt to changing weather and trail obstructions.
Similarly, life goes up and down. In cross examination, lawyers get inconceivable answers from witnesses. Be flexible with Plans A and B; treat hard knocks as learning opportunities; find alternatives to circumvent hurdles; don’t be too hard on yourself. Otherwise, you get stuck in a failure mindset or avalanched by industry disruptions.
🗻Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses
Great, you reached the peak. Remember, catch your breath and take in breathtaking views (and photos).
While hustling, we forget to take time off. Overworked lawyers recite, “The law is a jealous mistress and requires long and constant courtship”. Invigorate yourself to maintain sustainable businesses and careers. Celebrate milestones; spend time with family and on breaks to create experiences; read good books for inspiration; hike to clear your mind. Otherwise, you get burnt out.
🗻What goes up must come down
You could go down the same or a different trail. Some reach the peak forgetting the preparation and energy to descend. There is plenty of hiking and energy conservation to return safely.
Never forsake the wrap up or conclusion. Lawyers winning cases are milestones but there is much to do for court costs, enforcing judgments or orders. Consider final steps ahead; debrief effectively with clients and colleagues; budget for final costs; reserve resources to the end. If you don’t, it may undo all your hard work.
🗻Keep it going
Reaching the foot of the mountain feels like it’s over. Rest and eat your cravings away. Then resume training hikes. To hikers, one peak down leads to the next adventure.
Best practices from careers are invaluable. Lawyers acquire useful habits and tactics (or tricks up our sleeves) throughout careers at the Bar. Revisit all that you picked up; share with colleagues and learn in return; adopt them in processes. But if you let yourself go, it goes downhill.
Everest mountaineer, Sir Edmund Hillary, said, “It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”. Hope these musings help you conquer mountains in business and life. While I continue hearing the bells, I wish you fellow hikers happy trails.
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