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| At a bookstore in Thamel, Kathmandu (Apr 2022) |
Recently (i.e. April 2022) went to Nepal for another Everest Base Camp trek, with my family this time. A side objective was to find this book of "Nims" - as a consequence of watching his Netflix documentary of the same title. I have climbed two (2) 8000m peaks in a span of 5 months, which to-date is still the (sad) record for Philippines in terms of most 8000m climbed by a Filipino. And with great surprise of the entire mountaineering world, Nims broke climbing records left and right and eventually did what he said was possible... To climb all 14 (fourteen) 8000m peaks in the world in less than 7 months. This is coming from a previous record of 7+ years.
Truly, a great, superhuman accomplishment. And so, what did I learn from reading this book? Here's my top five.
1. Take big risks to experiment, explore - to find YOUR REAL TALENT! What or where you are really good at. Nims grew up in a poor neighborhood in Nepal where being a Gurkha was his first-found talent. Then joined the British SBS special boat squadron (special force) as his 2nd-found (but related) talent. It was only after his vacation climb in Nepal and his first 8000m climb - where he discovered where he truly excels & in a niche kind of way. That he was in fact, born to climb.
What will you risk next? When will you take your next big risk?
2. When everyone (or most) doubts you, believe in yourself 10x more! We don't need to validate ourselves or how good we are - with other people. Envy and/or difference in passion or level of grasp of a vision - simply create this belief gap and will make people doubt you at the very least, or brand you as a lunatic.
Will you (again) back out when people say that you can't do it? Or that it's a bad idea? Do you often feel this need of validation?
3. Like what I learned in Lean and Agile development concepts (in my IT work) - proving the possibility or potential of a grand dream with small, bite-sized approach will (i) help you learn & adjust your plan, (ii) and slowly attract believers and supporters. Except that this 'bite-size' for Nims are actual climbs on big mountains.
Do you find your goal too big? Have you thought of breaking them into workable components? Have you first tried to 'pilot' something small to learn and be better for the next iteration round?
4. Designing your support structure - is as critical as your main attack plan! Nims may have not accomplished all of his 'records' without the sacrifices of his Sherpa climbing team, and support from his wife and parents. He loudly acknowledges this fact as show of gratitude and as part of his way to promote Nepal mountaineering community and its role in the global climbing arena.
Who is in your team and what value or niche work do they provide? Or do you feel you can do everything on your own?
5. Use success to build more success!. An old fact similar to 'strike when the iron is hot' philosophy. Even during Project Possible, Nims already started with his guiding company - and now seeing huge client growth, thanks to his now-wide and deep mountaineering experience and proven safety and success record.
How did you maximize your past successes? How can you, if you haven't?
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