The Top Is Not The All [Guest Post] by @Paul_Steele

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Paul Steele - BaldHiker.com

One of the people that inspire me most when it comes to achieving goals is my friend Paul Steele. Over the last 3 years I’ve had the pleasure of watching his adventures; but more than the adventure itself, I’ve been inspired by his heart as he accomplishes what he sets out to do. He has the uncanny knack for making you feel like you’re part of it all instead of just sitting on the sidelines.

From the desk of Paul Steele ….

I dream, I make them goals. I have a goal, I go for it no matter how long it takes or whatever tries to knock me down. If something does take me back a peg or two I like to readjust the goal or dust off and start again.

Let me take my passion, trekking, or more specifically a mountain climb. I have stood at the summit of many many mountains large and small. I have enjoyed each one equally whether it be in glorious sunshine, freezing rain, snow or whether it be over 20,000 or under a thousand.

(L) High on Aconcangua, Argentina (R) At the summit of El Teide, Tenerife

I have took this opportunity to think back and I sincerely realise that standing on the physical top is a brief moment in my memory. What I remember more vividly is the amazing things en route, for instance:

The people I was with.
The funny or learning conversations.
The smiles and laughs.
Wonderful sights.
The good it is doing my health and fitness.
Getting away from it all.
Being with myself.

This list can go on and on. I hold these memories close. Without the mountain top these things would not have happened.

(L) Well earned beer half way back down Kilimanjaro (R) TweetupandHike Team enjoying Northumberland

On a journey to another country, it was not just travel from point A to B. A trip to Australia showed me the huge and different experience of Dubai airport on the stop over. A trip to Norway introduced me en route to a person whom is now a great great friend. The chances and possibilities are endless, only because I was heading for something not because I was already there or had done this and that.

(L) Snow Scooter Safari - Alta, Norway (R) Treading across a glacier, the French Alps

It is always a pleasure to see someone with goals, of any form. They are on a journey, it could be a diet, it could be fundraising for charity or to finish a project by the weekend. As I look through the Twitterstream I see people aiming for allsorts. The caring, sharing, and honest of them will look back, smile and remember the journey fondly and regret they reached the top already.

More guest posts from Paul Steele on Freaking Fitness:

Climbing Big Mountains For Charity

Climbing Mount Fatty? How to Get to the Top

Katdoesdiets

Love this. And such a great message. It’s a huge tragedy if we get so caught up in reaching our goals that we forget to enjoy ourselves along the way.

http://twitter.com/joycecherrier Joyce Cherrier

Loved this too! Paul makes goals seem so much less boring!
http://twitter.com/paul_steele paul steele

Thx yes have fun along the way and make the goal just a small part of the fun.. Then look for more

MizFit

so true. I learned this while watching my husband get his PhD and write his dissertation. His focus on enjoying the process and NOT just obsessing over acquiring those 3 letters taught me a tremendous lesson.

http://twitter.com/joycecherrier Joyce Cherrier

I imagine that was an adventure all in itself!
http://baldhiker.com/ Paul Steele

Sounds like it was a big goal but great way to to do it!

http://twitter.com/TheBoldBlend Barbara Davis

Love this post. The pictures are amazing and you can tell this is a man living life to the fullest. Very inspiring!

http://twitter.com/joycecherrier Joyce Cherrier

Hi Barbara He does for sure! Do you follow Paul? He’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet on twitter
http://baldhiker.com/ Paul Steele

Thx Barbara so very much. I love getting out and doing things there are so many things out there that people do even at home that inspire me.

http://twitter.com/saving4someday Sara Hawkins

I’ve learned that not many get to stand on top of the world, but we all get to walk on earth and have amazing experiences. Few joys in life are accomplished alone. And our goals need to be evaluated along the way. New information comes in that needs to be evaluated. If the goal is to get from point A to point B and the bridge between them is out, that doesn’t mean we give up. Nor does it mean we blindly disregard the new information and keep going.

One of my goals is to teach my daughter that it’s not about the end, but rather the road we travel to get there that will shape who we are. And I remind myself of that as well. Because it’s easy to forget and focus on the end.

http://twitter.com/joycecherrier Joyce Cherrier

Such great wisdom to pass on to your daughter Sara. Success is in the journey not just the end. Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
http://baldhiker.com/ Paul Steele

Hi Sara, lovely sentiment , thx very much , made me smile

http://www.thetop10blog.com/ Tony Hastings

Well put Paul, I think that sometimes, with all the hustle and bustle and pressures of life it’s so easy to forget to enjoy the ride. We too often concentrate on trying to achieve the goal and forget to look around and appreciate what’s going on around us, and maybe re-evaluate our aims as we move through life.

I have had to examine my own interaction with the social media world in the last few weeks as the fun had gone out of it with trying too hard and wanting to be all things to all men. I’m back to basics now and enjoying it all so much again.

Using your climbing analogy I guess that I was trying to climb Everest and had become transfixed on an unattainable goal and as a consequence forgot to look around and enjoy the company of the people I was with. I am meandering around the foothills now, taking in the view, breathing in the good air and going wherever the path leads!

Many thanks for your thoughtful post and thanks too to Joyce for her good sense in having you as a guest. Wishing you both all the best for 2012

Tony

http://twitter.com/joycecherrier Joyce Cherrier

Thanks Tony. Thankful to my dear friend Paul for sharing here! Best to you in 2012 too!

Jody – Fit at 54

What amazing pic and the journey!!! A great lesson in these words. Wish I had learned that a long time ago!

http://twitter.com/joycecherrier Joyce Cherrier

Hi Jody! What a charmed life Paul has. Love his adventures. He makes me want to grab a few things and make one of my own!

http://www.does-p90x-work.org/ Kim

Great post. I feel the sense of “pure accomplishment” when looking at Paul’s photos… and something that the gym can’t offer: International Travel – Yes! Thank you so much for introducing me to Paul (the Bald Hiker) Steele :)