How many summits does one need to conquer to feel fulfilled?

by Silvia Apostol
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I am not a person passionate about mountains, or mountain climbing, however, these days my curiosity made me follow the burst in the news on this topic (unfortunately triggered by a tragic event).

It is a new world for me and I get really inspired, and in awe, about the act of bravery and courage taken by the extraordinary people who follow their call for conquering the highest summits in the world.

Being a Serpa is a profession, a job which brings the bread on the table.

For many, it is also an act of self-growth and conquering own fear, limitations and previous world records.

In both cases, it is a conscious decision to do whatever one needs to do, being aware of the risk of losing own life.

As an office person for most of my life, I get mesmerized contemplating such an alive, dangerous way of living “in the death zone”.

However, I also notice a low, steady voice inside my head, asking: “How many summits do you actually need to conquer in order to fill complete, noticed, respected?”

I recognise my coaching voice. The theory of Vertical Development (the “vertical” being an interesting connection to the climbing) tells about the development state of the “Achiever”. This can feel as a great, accomplished place to be.

However, this is not the last stage of human development we know about. It is being followed by the one called “Redefining”. The “Transforming” follows later.

With each next stage, the previous ones continue living, they don’t disappear. In fact, we are able to approach them with more maturity.

My thinking brings me back in time to my own story of an (office) Achiever myself.

I can recognise the sparkle of the external achievements and attractive it was.

Another project, another big fund. Recognition and satisfaction of a job well done, to help others. The bread on the table and a little more.

In our society respect and recognition are strongly associated with “achieving success”. This is often invisible, but really powerful.

I think, at some point I was so much drawn into this game that I could not recognise myself in it anymore.

The thing is, being inside it, it can feel as a “hungry ghost”. No achievement, however big, does ever feel enough.

I had my own “avalanche” which came in the form of a breast cancer diagnosis.

I am well now, but, coincidence or not, having the space outside my normal Achiever environment, put me face-to-face with my inner Redefiner.

In the beginning, it felt as the whole world crumbling in front of me.

And, it did. The old meanings, ideas, the old way of perceiving the world.

This is a difficult, vulnerable state when external support is vital.

This is a territory which I recognise so well, and where I also meet most of my clients.

And, so, we start climbing within.

Do you feel the call?