Take Another Peak

What goes up... must come down.

We’ve all heard this before. In fact, you probably could have finished the sentence on your own. A basic lesson in gravity.

Luckily, this isn’t true for personal performance. You work hard to reach a professional peak, struggle along the way, perhaps even have moments when you feel like giving up, but don’t. Then, at some point, you realize you’ve achieved something you didn’t think you could. You’ve challenged yourself and met the challenge. How rewarding and exhilarating this can be. Now what? A fall? No way.

Reaching a peak gives you a new vantage point, showing you new places you can go, new challenges you can take on, new peaks you can strive for. Your potential and what you can achieve look different. Your confidence and self-esteem are boosted by your success. New peaks look possible. Keep climbing.

So, how do you reach a peak? It doesn’t happen by accident. First, set a goal that you’re truly motivated to achieve. Motivation will carry you through the bumps you’re likely to encounter. Then, find a coach or mentor, someone to guide you along the way. Seek our people who can support you. It’s easier and more enjoyable to climb with others. With each step, hone your skills. Take a class if you need it, but keep in mind that experience is often the best teacher. And finally, work hard.

Working hard is exhausting. It’s also what makes success taste so good.


About the Author
Elizabeth Davies is an experienced leader and strategist in Human Resources, with expertise in talent development. After graduating from Indiana University and Stanford Law School, she practiced law before shifting her career to training and development. Over the past 18 years, she has held leadership roles at Gap and Apple. She has also formed her own consultancy, The Retail Training Institute, serving retail and non-retail clients such as Levi Strauss, Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, J. Crew, Williams
Sonoma, Tommy Hilfiger, Oracle, Visa, Philip Morris, and Miller Brewing.

Elizabeth is passionate about creating and executing global initiatives that support company goals and reinforce the brand. Her specialties include leadership & management development, design and execution of OD initiatives, and conference development and execution. You can reach her at bldavies@mac.com.

© 2008 Elizabeth Davies
Permission to reprint is granted on the following conditions: (1) the essay is used in its entirety, (2) Elizabeth Davies is named as the author and credited for the work, (3) notification of your intent to use the essay is sent to Elizabeth Davies at bldavies@mac.com prior to your use of work.