When The Mountain Feels Too High To Climb
- Brainz Magazine
- Aug 31, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 25, 2024
Written by: Gillian Skeer, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In a world that encourages us to push our boundaries, we often encounter mountains that seem insurmountable; challenges that test the very core of our being.
Times of crisis, grief, job loss, homelessness, ill-health, the disintegration of relationships, financial stress, political unrest, climate concerns, and fears for the future, are all examples of where many of us can feel immensely overwhelmed. As we strive to overcome such obstacles, we may be able to draw upon our skills, experience, and determination. Yet, often, as human beings, we may find the negative impacts are so profound, that our capacity feels stretched to breaking point. Beyond our willpower there exists a realm where our perceived abilities to cope, may fall short. The mountain feels insurmountable. The emotional impact of realising limits in our capacity is not to be underestimated. The journey becomes not just a physical or mental challenge, but an emotional one as well. We may wrestle with the feelings of inadequacy, questioning whether we are "enough" to face the trials that life presents. We may experience acute senses of pain, frustration, disappointment, stress, anxiety, fear and depression, leading us to question our resilience, self-worth, and purpose.
The realisation may emerge that despite all the desire, determination, and effort, the ability to overcome challenges might be beyond our reach.
Our perceived human capacity plays a significant role in our ability to tackle challenges. We may feel that we are limited, alone, under-resourced, and at the mercy of all that is going on around us. But here’s the thing: there are ways for us to gain control of our thoughts and emotions and thereby create a better reality for ourselves. Our circumstances do not have to be our reality if we can manage our responses to them.
Put simply, what we think, creates our reality. In the words of Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right.” In the shadow of towering challenges, when the mountain ahead seems impossibly steep, remember that you possess a treasure trove of tools within you.
It's important to recognise these thoughts and emotions and seek ways to manage them.
Let’s look at some strategies that will put you in the driver’s seat of your own reactions to challenging circumstances.
Trust: Know that you have greatness within you and that you will find your way. You decide your limitlessness. Be open to everything. Be expectant. Something always happens.
Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Remember that setbacks and challenges are a part of the human experience.
Seeking Support: Reach out to friends, family, mentors, or professionals who can provide guidance and a listening ear. Sharing your struggles can lighten the emotional load. Others may have faced similar challenges and can offer valuable insights, support, and perspective. Finding your tribe of good people to have around you is absolute gold.
Vulnerability: is actually a strength that enables us to connect with others on a deeper level. Embracing vulnerability can be a catalyst for growth, as it opens the door to learning, adaptation, and collaboration.
Adaptation: You may decide to reassess your approach to the challenges at hand and consider adjusting your goals or finding alternative paths. Sometimes, taking a step back can lead to a more sustainable and achievable solution.
Learning Opportunity: Shift your perspective and view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Even if you can't conquer the entire mountain, the journey can teach you valuable lessons.
Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques to manage stress and anxiety. Grounding yourself in the present moment can help alleviate the emotional turbulence, manage stress, and help you approach challenges with a clear mind.
These techniques aren't about merely scaling obstacles, but about transforming yourself into a fearless explorer of your own potential.
Modelling Success: Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) involves studying successful individuals and adopting their strategies, behaviours, and thought patterns, which can lead to more effective approaches when you are facing challenges.
Reframing: How you frame circumstances in your mind, will directly affect the emotional responses you have to them. Using the NLP reframing technique can assist in changing your perspective on challenges, turning them into learning opportunities, or reframing them in a way that makes them seem less overwhelming.
Self-Talk Improvement: Becoming aware of your self-talk patterns and replacing negative or discouraging thoughts with positive thoughts, will create a constructive inner dialogue that you can draw in your time of challenge. Never underestimate the power of your words. Especially the words you say to yourself.
Questioning: Use the power of NLP Meta Model questioning when you confront your own limiting beliefs. For example, if your belief is “I cannot succeed in these circumstances”, ask yourself, “What specifically makes me believe that I can’t succeed?” or “What if I could succeed?”. Such questions expose one’s assumptions and opens the door to alternate thoughts.
Anchoring: Through anchoring, you can associate certain emotions or states (confidence, calmness) with specific triggers, which you can then utilise to manage stress and enhance your capacity to navigate challenges.
Anxiety Reduction: NLP techniques can easily and effortlessly reduce anxiety and help you stay focused on future positive outcomes, rather than being consumed by worries.
Imagine being able to break down even the most colossal challenges into smaller, achievable steps, like creating a path of steppingstones up that mountain. Imagine the power of anchoring, enabling you to summon courage at will, or mastering the art of conceiving positive outcomes in your mind.
Picture replacing the echoes of doubt with triumphant thoughts and emotions that resonate within, lifting you to greater levels of empowerment. Feel the energy of modelling success, as you step into the shoes of those who have conquered their own peaks. Be your own guide, with a profound sense of purpose, resilience, and unwavering determination.
You can find yourself scripting a narrative of triumph in the face of adversity, where the mountain can be conquered by your inner reservoir of strength.
So, when the mountain feels too high to climb, know that you can have the tools to reach the summit.
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Gillian Skeer, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Gillian Skeer – Master Coach NLP is a Global Coach who enables her clients to live purpose-driven, authentic, successful, and outstanding personal and professional lives! Gillian is highly-credentialled and has over 30 years’ experience in coaching, communications, facilitation, developing individuals and teams, business development and marketing. A co-author of several international best-selling books and a consultant to international companies, Gillian brings her inspiration and commitment to all her clients. The relationship between client and coach is paramount, and Gillian’s philosophy of genuine connection and championing her clients has proven to be a winning formula, as her 5-Star reviews confirm.
