Why should we do hard things?

Why should we do hard things? Truth is, the more hard things you do, the easier life becomes.

I noticed a mindset shift after a recent backpacking trip where I was challenged physically and mentally. My sister and I hiked over 30 miles in Grand Canyon National Park, camping in the Havasupai Indian Reservation with daily strenuous hikes to the most beautiful waterfalls.

After returning to my daily grind at work, I carried with me the pride and satisfaction of my accomplishments in the canyon. A newfound sense of pushing boundaries to better understand my actual capabilities and excitement for what I might find. I’ve highlighted 2 main take-aways below.

Take-away #1: Facing difficult situations and challenging tasks in your personal life can have positive effects on your professional career.

• Growth Mindset: Believing that your abilities can be stretched and developed. When confronting and navigating personal challenges, you can expand your comfort zone through effort, learning, and perseverance. Fostering a growth mindset is advantageous for all aspects of life, including continuous learning and leadership potential in a professional career.
• Example: a couple of weeks after my return, I was asked if I’d be open to expanding my duties within the company. My new mindset told me to jump at the chance to stretch myself, trust myself, and see where it takes me. To be continued!
• Improved Interpersonal Skills: Teamwork and effective communication are imperative in the workplace. Personal challenges can give you the opportunity to ask for help and lead to a better understanding of your capabilities. Maintaining positive relationships in your personal life will help you navigate and maintain professional relationships.
• Example: on the first day, after hiking 10 miles with our packs, my sister and I were a bit delirious from heat / exhaustion. As we roamed the campground for a good spot to setup for the week, verbal communication and reading each other’s body language was more important than ever. We needed a spot in the shade with trees for the hammock. Every spot passed was an opportunity to just settle and rest. We kept going, asking each other almost constantly if a break was necessary. Taking turns making decisions on when to cross the river or keep going on the path. Hiking an additional 1.5 miles, to the very back of the campground, we found the perfect secluded island oasis, with a makeshift bridge connecting us to the other campers. Our communication and care for each other paid off.
• Enhanced Confidence: Gaining a sense of achievement after overcoming a personal challenge can translate into greater self-assurance in your decisions, leading to better performance and career opportunities.
• Example: the more confidence I have in myself, the more decisions I make, the more opportunities I find. Funny how that works.

Take-away #2: All the above wouldn’t be possible without adequate support systems in place. Having various forms of support is immensely useful in navigating and overcoming challenges.

• Professional Support: This can look like setting clear goals and having someone hold you accountable to provide structure and motivation. A leader or team member sharing experiences can provide valuable guidance, advice, and insights.
• Example: my team at work is fantastic and I couldn’t be more grateful for everything they covered while I was off-the-grid for a week. Our goals as a business are clear and I was able to set them up for success while trusting their responsiveness to our clients while I was away.
• Emotional Support: This can look like encouragement, avoiding judgement, and respecting boundaries. Talking and listening with empathy for others is essential for understanding and personal growth. Choose these people wisely, as the support should be reciprocal and trustworthy.
• Example: packed and ready to go on the way to the airport I looked at my fiancé and said “omg, can I do this?” he laughed a bit before seeing the anxiety in my eyes then said calmly, “of course you can.” The little nudge I needed from someone I trust.
• Community Support: This could be any community that provides you with a sense of belonging. Shared experiences with peers can also be a source of inspiration and motivation.
• Example: before going on the hike, I joined a Facebook group specific to our destination where I could learn and interact with people who were going or have gone on the same trip. This was not only fun but also extremely helpful.

Identify your forms of support, challenge yourself in your personal life, and reap the benefits in your professional career.