When the Trail hurts

I hiked the Skye Trail in April 2024. According to the website Walkhighlands: "The Skye Trail, a challenging unofficial route aimed at experienced hillwalkers, takes in some of the very finest landscapes on this celebrated island - and indeed in the whole of the UK." The route is not marked, and sometimes, there is not even a trail visible.

The second day was the hardest.

30,9 kilometers. 1622 ascent. There is no trail to follow. No shelter. No fresh water. A hike of 10 hours. At the end of the day, I had to pitch my tent. I found a nice spot with some cover for the wind. However, the wind changed during the night; it started to rain, and my tent was almost blown away. I had to leave my tent in the dark to fix it again. At that moment, after a day like this, you really ask yourself what the fun is in this.

The next day, I was feeling pretty bad. I hadn't slept much, and I almost ran out of water. My body felt sour, and my knees hurt.

What kept me going? Just the fact that you move forward step by step, focusing on the next step. I could think about the following five stages, but that would not really help me at that moment. The only thing I could do was focus on the next step, the next hill in front of me. Thinking about all the possible problems that I could encounter in the following stages was not helpful.

I made it through the third stage and slept in a youth hostel. In Portree, I enjoyed a hot shower and a hot meal, which helped me recharge and prepare for the following stages.

Oh, and indeed, the finest landscapes. You can check out my trail vlog here.

How does this relate to your role as manager and leader?

Leadership and management are all about change. In the current world, everything is changing faster and faster. To continue creating value and remaining relevant, you need to be able to change.

Identifying the change is often easy; let's call that preparation for the trial. When you have identified the change, everyone is eager to make it. People want to help you. The first stage is relatively easy.

However, you will encounter a "second stage." In this stage, there is no fresh water or shelter, your knees start to hurt, and you have a terrible night. It is easy to call a taxi and go back home. However, that will not help anyone.

Like my day after the hike, you must focus on the next step when things get difficult. What is your next action? Yes, of course, you know there will be more stages. However, already worrying about these stages will not give you much energy today. Instead, when things are difficult, focus on the next step. Make your life easy, focus on something within reach, and also celebrate.

When you accomplish the next step, celebrate. Take your virtual hot shower and hot meal. By celebrating this accomplishment, you will feel more energized for the next steps.

Change is difficult; don't forget to look over your shoulder now and then. We often tend to look at all the work ahead of us, all the problems that could happen, and forget all the work we have already accomplished.

Enjoy the hike and look back time and time again. Keep your eyes on the end goal, but focus most of the time on your next action to get closer to it.