11/27/2025
The smooth surface of the rock wall seemed impossible to scale. I looked around for another handhold but couldn’t find one within reach. My legs were shaking from fatigue. I called down to the guide “I can’t go any farther,” hoping he would release the tension on the rope and lower me down. Instead, he cheerfully responded, “You can do it!”
My kids had both already climbed to the top of this wall, and they quickly joined in the chorus of encouragement. There was no backing down now. I had to at least attempt to complete this climb. Step by step, inch by inch, I progressed. Sometimes I followed the guide’s advice for hand and foot placement, and other times I found my own way. Several more times I expressed my opinion that I couldn’t go any farther, and each time the guide calmly insisted that I could. On that June day, under the blazing Colorado sun I mastered the red rock and climbed all the way to the top!
Whether or not you have any interest in rock climbing, perhaps you have faced a goal or obstacle that has felt challenging if not impossible to master. Rock climbing is a challenge not unlike many of our goals and life obstacles, and there is much to be learned in the simplicity of this struggle.
Lessons from rock climbing:
1. Life doesn’t always give you “handholds.” Indoor rock-climbing facilities have created small man-made objects protruding from the rock walls. These are handholds designed for climbers to grab and step on during their climb. For outdoor climbs, nature creates these handholds. This makes the climb trickier, as nature doesn’t consider exactly where someone might need a handhold, or how big they may need it to be. When the path is not clearly mapped out, you must get creative and improvise. This feels uncertain, and uncertainty is scary. Success often means moving forward without clearly marked handholds on your path. Learning to trust yourself to identify available stepping stones and forge your own path will allow you to climb higher than you once thought possible.
2. Never underestimate the power of encouragement. Having my own personal cheering squad helped me keep going when I didn’t think I could go anymore. Encouragement also helped me persevere when I slipped and lost some of the progress I had made. Positive emotion is essential for goal achievement, and doing hard things often requires an extra dose of positive emotion.
3. The people around you will have a powerful impact on your goal achievement. When I said I didn’t think I could climb any further, my rock-climbing guide could have easily said “okay,” and lowered me back down. When we have people around us who support our quitting on goals, we are much more likely to quit. These well-meaning friends and family may think they are being supportive by simply affirming what you are telling them you want to do. However, maybe what you truly need is a push forward. Think about the people you have in your life. Do they allow you to do what is easy or comfortable, or do they push you to be the best version of yourself?
4. The feeling of accomplishment may be more important than the task itself. There was not a compelling need for me to reach the top of that cliff. I was simply out having an adventure with my family while on vacation, and there was no tangible reward for finishing the climb. However, the feeling of pride and accomplishment was certainly a reward! Students and professionals I work with are often surprised by how good they feel after accomplishing a simple task, even when that task is non-essential. This feeling of accomplishment can create a sense of pride and self-belief that creates momentum toward the next goal.
Are you feeling stuck or struggling in any area of your work? Your goals are important, and you don’t have to work on them alone. As a psychologist and executive coach, I help my clients understand what is holding them back and create meaningful change. Contact me to discuss how coaching can help you create the tools to climb higher toward your goals!
https://juliabeckercoaching.com
