I really needed this win
the power of accomplishment
When things don’t feel like they’re going your way for several days (or weeks) on end, a small win can completely change your mood. So find a way small win. Today.
I’ve written here a few times in the past few months that parts of my work feel like swimming upstream. Successive defeats were piling up leaving me feeling less confident in several ways.
But at the climbing gym the other day, I finally sent a route I’d fallen on twice before.
Unlike most other solo sports, climbing (and indoor climbing more specifically) is unique in that you can test yourself over and over on the exact same route under the same set of conditions.
So you have the unique opportunity to “fail” at something but figure out how to send it with repeated effort.
I gotta be honest with you. I really needed the sense of accomplishment I got from completing that route. It’s not a life changing event for sure. But in a season of life where I feel like I keep hitting walls, it was important for me to break through one.
It’s worth noting that a small win outside of work gave me the confidence I’d been missing in my professional life.
And it didn’t hurt that two longtime climbing buddies were there to cheer me on and congratulate me when I lowered down. That shit feels good, right?
So I’ll keep today’s email short. If life or work or maybe a relationship has felt challenging lately, what’s one small thing you can do that will get you a win?
Don’t worry about going from 1 to 10. Just focus on getting from 1 to 2.
Small wins compound. Go get one.
Big Love,
Parker
In case you missed it, I’m hosting a 2-day retreat January 9th-10th just East of Nashville. It’s an opportunity for a small group of like-minded people to gather, reflect on 2025, set some intentions for 2026 but also create a few experiments we can run to see what’s working and what isn’t in the new year.
There will be hiking, mindfulness practice, great food, and wonderful community.
Still have questions? Just reply and I’ll answer via email or we can hop on a quick call.