5 Reasons Why Building a Business
is Like Rock Climbing

For the first day of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, I thought I would share a list of the top 5 reasons why building a business is like rock climbing.

1. When you are new to your business, you have to make many different moves that your body isn’t used to!

Perhaps you have never written a blog post, created a website, tweeted, had to sell yourself, used Quickbooks, sent an e-zine, spoken in public… the list is endless. Being a new entrepreneur can stretch you in ways you never expected – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

2. As you get better at your business, you learn to be flexible.

Being an entrepreneur requires you to go with the flow, to be open to change and to pay attention to what your clients are saying they need and want. Being flexible allows you to make quick decisions that will move you forward rather than causing you to hang out on that one safe ledge. Being flexible also means be willing to stretch and try new and different avenues of marketing, sales, planning and strategy.

3. Sometimes the path is slippery, requiring all of your strength to hang on.

Being an entrepreneur can be a long, difficult journey. It’s easy to get tired, depressed, down on yourself, stressed out about money and a million other bumps along along the way. Staying the course and consistently moving forward is crucial to success.

4. It’s always safer to ask for help – that harness is there for a reason.

One of the most difficult aspects of being an entrepreneur can be the loneliness and isolation. When you are starting out, often working from a home office, there is no one to turn to or ask for help. There is no water cooler where you can take a break and share ideas. It’s important to find at least one other person in your life who understands and supports you: a friend, spouse, coach, or mentor are all good choices.

5. It’s a long way up when you are standing at the bottom.

For some entrepreneurs, it’s difficult to envision what the top even looks like. Many of us start our business because we are passionate about serving others. We don’t know how helpful it is to start with the end in mind – we just start! The way up can seem long and treacherous, the footholds too far apart and the surface too slippery. Sometimes it’s a matter of just looking a little bit further ahead and stretching a little bit more to reach the next safe spot.

Rock climbers rarely climb blind and they usually have a team lead who forges the way for others. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel, what have others done that you want to do, too? Maybe you are not a trailblazer, that’s okay, just acknowledge what you excel at and get help with the rest.

Bonus: The way you feel when you reach the top is incomparable!

Here are some fun journaling prompts to help you think about your rock climbing adventure:

1. Do I have a clear path in mind?
2. Do I know what is at the top?
3. How hard am I willing to work to get there?
4. What small milestones can I celebrate today?
5. Where do I need to stretch?
6. Am I being flexible or am I stuck?

And if you are looking for someone to guide you on your path, to hold the support rope and yell “On belay,” let’s talk. My passion is helping entrepreneurs create a vibrant vision for their business and build a plan of action to get them to the top of the mountain. If you are ready to create freedom, flexibility and financial independence in your business, schedule a free Business Builder’s Breakthrough Session with me here.