Climbing the LONG Last Hill
Today, when I set off on my morning walk at Ventura Beach, I headed inland toward the foothills of the city. Although I love walking the beach strand, with the seagulls, surfers, walkers and fresh ocean scent, I wanted a tougher work out.
I’ve walked this area before but as I came around a familiar turn, I saw a steeper road leading up further on the hill than I had ever noticed before. “Oh, geez” I thought. I didn’t want to do it. My immediate instinct was –”no, I’ve done enough, time to head back.” And, that second, small, inner voice said – “C’mon wimp. You wanted a tougher workout. Think how good you’ll feel once you are at the top.”
“I’ll just go half way” said the first small voice and I headed up. I had already put in a solid walk, lots of up and down the foothills, and my heart rate was definitely up. After a 15 second internal battle of the wills, I knew that I had to keep climbing. I had to push myself just a little further and get that extra burn and, more importantly, that feeling of accomplishment!
As I got to the top and turned around to head back down, I stopped in my tracks. The view was stunning. All of Ventura Harbor, the Channel Islands and the wide open ocean spread out before me. A sailboat regatta was just coming out of the harbor along with 2 charter boats of visitors to the islands. Surfer’s Point was off to the right and the water was filled with surfers, anticipating the next great wave. I couldn’t believe my payoff for making the climb!
What if I had cut it short and missed the view from the top? What if I had decided that enough was enough and I would just “settle” for the norm? What if I had let the first small voice win out and determine my destiny for that day?
Do you ever do this in your business? I sure have. My network marketing career has been filled with days of “settling.” I’ve had goals of making 10 dials and stopped after making the first call when someone hung up on me. I’ve made a business plan for the next day and scrapped it in favor of reading a good book because that was easier.
Ultimately, though, over time, I made the decision to keep going. Once I realized that it wasn’t going to kill me, I made the decision to push myself a little more. And, then a little more. And, even more!
There are many hills to climb in building a Network Marketing business and many pop up when you least expect it. Sometimes, you’ll come around a corner and see a really long hill that you hadn’t seen before. You know you’ve walked that path, but you swear that hill wasn’t there before. You have to climb that long, last hill for the day. You have to climb it every time it shows up. You may be tired, out of breath and out of water, but you do have it in you to keep pushing forward.
Just like the view of the harbor from the top of the hill on my walk, the view from the top of your successful network marketing business is incredible. Indescribable, even. Filled with things you can’t even imagine.
On a recent call with John Fogg, he asked me what the best thing has been for me about network marketing. Without missing a beat, or thinking it through, I answered with the very first thing that came to mind – personal peace, satisfaction and the feeling of accomplishment.
It’s not the money; the title; the plaques and awards. Those are nice, and they felt good at the time. But nothing even comes close to the feeling I have knowing that I did it. I hit the top 1% or smaller of network marketers. I pushed against the odds and overcame the biggest obstacle of all, myself, and made it to the top.
Nothing can ever take that away. Nothing. It’s mine and I own it. I want you to own it, too. Put on your walking shoes and take the journey to the top. You can’t even imagine what you will find there.
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
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Marti Norris says
Jackie,
Thanks for the encouraging words. This is what I needed to hear to remind me to keep striving and not give up regardless of what people around you think who want to squash your dreams of making it in this business.
Thanks.
Jackie Ulmer says
You go Marti! Never give up!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
JoAnn Donahue says
Jackie,
I believe it was Einstein who said …and I will paraphrase…many stop short and never realize how damn close they are to their goal!
You are a true inspiration to women all over the world thanks to this contraption! 🙂
Keep on Keeping on…..
I hear “Smart Is The New Sexy”
You are one sexy lady! hehehee!
Peace,
Jo
Jackie Ulmer says
Ha ha! Thanks JoAnn You made my day! I like that – smart is the new sexy!
Rock on!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
Heather C Stephens says
Hi Jackie!
I loved this post! As a mom of preteen daughters my house is filled with Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana music (among others) and one of my favorites is her song The Climb. Whenever I hear it, which is possibly daily some weeks, I imagine myself on the climb to the top of my network marketing business.
“There’s always going to be another mountain, I’m always gonna want to make it move, it’s always going to be an uphill battle, sometimes you’re going to have to lose. Ain’t about how fast I get there; ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side, it’s the climb…”
I’ve recently been reminded by my younger daughter that I’m practicing network marketing. Every time I do something over and over again, tweaking and making improvements it gets easier and easier, and I get better and better. Your “hill” will get easier to climb the more you do it and the fun part is that there will always be another one, just a little bit bigger to push you to stretch your comfort zone.
Love this…thanks so much for the inspiration today!
Heather
Jackie Ulmer says
Heather,
What a wise daughter you have!!! And I love the words to that song, too! Practice makes perfect!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
Gregory McGuire says
Hi Jackie,
This reminds me of “Who Moved My Cheese?” and how sometimes we hem and haw instead of just taking action.
It also reminds me of when I was in the US Army. I didn’t matter if you felt a little sick, or you were depressed, you were still running 6 miles today. Why? Because the Drill Sergeant said so.
I think sometimes we need to become our own drill seargeants in order to achieve our goals. We need to act, even though we’d rather not.
Great post, Jackie. Thanks for sharing! Talk soon.
Gregory
Jackie Ulmer says
Thanks Gregory, and yes, it is a lot like “hemming and hawing” ha! We do need to be a little more challenging on ourselves, I agree!
It’s funny, knowing what I know now, I would have been MUCH tougher on myself when I started. I would have known not to take things personally; would have worried less about what other people thought. I guess that is why they say hindsight is 20/20!
Thanks for sharing!
Jackie
Kellie Hosaka says
Aloha Jackie,
Congratulations on your choice to “keep on going”, both for the walk and for your success in life! Those 2 voices are always present aren’t they. Choosing to listen to the “higher self” takes practice.
I have heard those voices many times myself and have chosen the “little voice” at times, which I later realize was not the wisest choice. I learned to “stretch” and listen to my “higher voice” and you are so “right on” when you say there is nothing that can take that feeling away when you make the right choices and push through.
And as Jim Rohn says “It’s about the person you become” along the way in your journey.
Thank you for a great article and for being such a great inspiration to so many!
Much love & aloha,
Kellie 🙂
Jackie Ulmer says
It IS about the person you become along the way and isn’t that amazing? Love the journey! And I know you do, Kellie! Thanks.
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
Charles says
Great article Jackie. You are an inspiration for sure.
I love your attitude toward these things in life. It is a sure thing that we will never get anywhere if we sit down and give up or give in to the weak voice that pops up and tries to undermine us.
Have a Blessed day Jackie!
Jackie Ulmer says
Thanks Charles! It’s not always easy to rally and keep going, but it is ALWAYS worth it, both in the immediate and the long term!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer