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Just recently on the 4th of July we celebrated Independence Day in US. If you live elsewhere in the world, you may not be affected by this particular holiday, yet you started your own business to create freedom for yourself - so this note is for you too...

Also, not so long ago, end of June, while on the Caribbean cruise with family, friends, and a handful of amazing clients, I have learned new lessons about freedom.

It was a fantastic experience to travel through vast waters on this huge ship . . . The tropical weather, the amazingly clean and warm water, the tiny islands with their interesting cultures and people... It was a relaxing and educational trip. You see, Freedom of the Seas (the ship we were sailing on) is a huge vessel with lots of attractions on it. It had an entire pool complex, fitness center, even an ice rink, and - the climbing wall!

If you have been following me for a while, you may have noticed me mention in the past that I'm severely afraid of heights. (Well, at least I used to be.) But in the last few years, at every opportunity, I challenge myself to overcome this fear. So, naturally, when I saw this 43-foot climbing wall, I knew I had to climb it!

And I did. I made it all the way to the top. The three minutes it took me to do it seemed like an eternity. My arms and legs were shaking the entire time. And I was drenched in sweat by the time I made it back to the ground. But I did it! And I learned, or was reminded of, four lessons that I want to share with you now.

1. I never doubted myself. The minute I decided to do it I knew I would make it to the top. The alternative simply wasn't an option.

   Sure, it occurred to me that I might not make it. But first, I realized that the worst thing that can happen is I will be dangling in my harness somewhere halfway through my climb. And second, I quickly pushed that thought out of my mind and saw myself at the top.

2. I had a clear goal. Attached at the top of the wall was a bell. And I wanted to experience the feeling of reaching for it and ringing it - announcing to the world (mind you, nobody was really paying attention to me!) that I conquered my fear and reached the top!

   Every stop of the way, as my sweaty hands were slipping off the little "handle rocks" and my knees shaking trying to sustain my weight while standing on my toes on a little crack in the wall high off the ground, I wasn't thinking how hard it was, but how much I wanted to ring that bell!

3. I asked for help. As I was filling out the waiver (agreeing that if I fall and break my neck I won't blame anyone) and getting my harness, helmet, and shoes, I asked the person helping me "What's the trick to this?"

   Then, as my bilayer (the guy holding my security rope) was attaching my harness, I asked him again - "What can you tell me that would help me climb this wall?" And just a few tips how to get some rest mid-way through this short climb made a huge difference!

4. It was easier than I imagined! It really was. Don't get me wrong, it was excruciatingly difficult physically, but still easier than I thought it would be. And not nearly as scary as I imagined.

   And it reminded me of so many times when I, or my clients, keep procrastinating on reaching for something we really want because the required tasks seem so difficult and scary.

   Then, afterwards, we always realize it wasn't nearly as difficult as our fear painted it in our minds. And, the satisfaction of overcoming our fears and accomplishing our goals is so liberating!

Keywords: goal setting, marketing strategy, Adam Urbanski

About the Author
Adam Urbanski, Irvine, California, USA
accounting@themarketingmentors.com