Coaching reflections from a mountain walk

“Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street.” 

- William Blake

A few weeks ago, I set off with a bunch of friends and fellow facilitators for a weekend of fresh air and mountain walks around and in Snowdonia’s National Park (and it’s fair to say the weather was more wet than fresh!). As we walked, and climbed, and battled the elements, I was constantly struck by the beauty of my surroundings, and with every step we took, venturing uphill, I could see further, in all directions.

We stopped occasionally on our journey to catch our breath and at those times I was able to look behind at where we had been, look up again to the distant peak to which we were heading, and at the same time I was able to stand for a while, appreciating where we were at that very point.

A coaching viewpoint

Surrounded by like-minded folk, my thoughts turned to the coaching work we do, and I reflected on what an appropriate location this would be for the one on one conversations I have with those that I coach. Those climbing stops encapsulated the key components of those learning dialogues - the triumvirate of looking back on the successes and learns to date, assessing the current situation, and focusing on what is still to be achieved. All vital considerations in the journey to peak performance.

Gaining fresh perspectives

I tend to spend the majority of my time looking to the future, striving for more. When I’m not doing that, I tend to focus on assessing the current situation to help me work out how best to get to where I want to go. Those of you who have read my previous blog, ‘Today is a Gift’  will know I’m not particularly good at looking back, reflecting on the journey I have been on, appreciating the present moment and recognising the learning that has got me to where I am now. Coaching helps me do this and I gain fresh insights and valuable perspectives which enables me to make more balanced choices in my life and work.

How do you support yourself to pay attention to these three perspectives of your learning journey?

Re-energising along the way

The wild and windy isolation (give or take the odd facilitator) of Wales connected me with the elements, and it felt like my own battery was on recharge as it did so.

Whilst it was challenging on the legs, it presented no real effort elsewhere, providing me with a rare opportunity to let my mind wander, not having to focus my attention on anything other than the terrain. ‘How often do I do this?’ I considered, and I think you already know the answer. I like to think that I can keep my concentration for long periods at a time, but we all have a finite amount of attention that we can give, and I’m no different.  Recharging our batteries is the vital ingredient for keeping us focused, and allowing us to reach that dim and distant view (aka goal), that appears so far away.

When do you recharge your batteries, and how do you know that they’re running low?

Keeping fit for purpose

Taking walks like these strengthens and tones your body, breathing fresh air promotes increased oxygen intake. Walking on different terrains, pushing through steep inclines and climbing promotes cardiovascular fitness and endurance. The feeling of accomplishment that comes from tackling a difficult hike helps you connect to nature and the larger world around you and promotes physical and mental well-being. In the frenetic world we live in today, to maintain peak performance, we need to invest in looking after ourselves.

What do you need to do right now to take better care of yourself?

Try and try again

In the end, we weren’t able to climb Snowdon itself because of the adverse weather. So, I’m going to go back to try again. I do want to do more of this novel ‘thing’ that we call walking, and I mean up mountains, and not just putting one foot in front of each other. The aches and pains left me after a couple of days, whereas the good memories live on.  There is something special about the process too. Sir Edmund Hillary a man who knew a thing or two about climbing mountains, said “It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”

Add to that the fact that, with six facilitators, and one map, I came away with an interesting story or two! How many facilitators does it take to read a map...