Seemingly Insurmountable? Just Look in Front

Whether we’re facing one of life’s many perilous situations that are bound to occur, or enduring the challenges that arise during adventure, it’s all too easy to become completely overwhelmed.

Whether we’re looking at the treacherous mountain in front, the work project awaiting, the medical diagnosis looming, or the relationship struggle at bay, it can seem insurmountable. Self-doubt sets in, the survival and protection centres of the brain start firing on all cylinders.

You know the reaction I’m talking about. The one where you’re not sure you can complete the daunting and lengthy task ahead. The all-too-automatic monkey brain thinking, “It’s too scary, too big, too hard, don’t have what it takes, I can’t do it, I should just make a good excuse and bail,” preparing for flight rather than fight.

These mental reactions have a time and place, we’re programmed with them for a reason. That programming is to keep us safe, alive, out of harm's way. It doesn’t mean you’re a quitter or a loser; you can choose not to be. You have a choice!

Once upon a time, we were prey and our survival depended on that mental mechanism. Well, guess what folks, our world has evolved faster than our brains have been able to keep up with. We still have these programs in our DNA. But we’re no longer being hunted by that sabretooth tiger, or grizzly bear, well…. most of us aren’t anyway. We’re no longer climbing mountains because we have to but rather for recreation, and sometimes exploration, to achieve and conquer. The predator of today is much different than it was back in our caveman days. We now conceptualize that predator. We imagine it, creating a mental construct of a monster. The predator of today is failure, judgment, ridicule. It’s one of exclusion, nonacceptance by our peers, family, colleagues. It’s a fear of being outcast by the tribe which is still ingrained in our primitive programming. After all, back then if we didn’t have our tribe, we were doomed.

The answer, my dear readers, is to simply just look in front. Acknowledge this fear, give it gratitude for trying to help and let it sit in the waiting room for a later appointment. Simply assess the situation right in front of you and deal with that ONE thing. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor was Everest climbed in a single push; rather, it’s broken down into tangible steps that can be taken and considered in their individuality. When we simply look in front of us at the task at hand, the monkey brain quiets, it can’t see the massive mountain. We calm down. We can deal.

I’m not advising against keeping your eye on the prize or to not consider future contingencies. There’s a fine line to be walked. When shit gets real and scary, focus on tangible objectives which will allow the achievement of the overall goal.

No, this isn’t simply a switch that can be flipped. It’s a skill to be developed through personal awareness, mindfulness and intentional consciousness. We all have that inner monkey brain, and if we’re not conscious, it can take over, thwarting our every attempt to surmount the task. To quote Lao Tzu: “The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”.

Fortunately, there’s always a way, and always an answer. Be it conceived or real, with our help you can cultivate the awareness and skill to build the courage and fortitude to scale any mountain on your journey.

Book a consultation with Life Force Adventure Coaching to begin the physical and mental training for any adventure or endeavour in your life.