Mindset Mondays with DTK – Ep #158 — To See Or Be Seen
Climbing the world’s tallest mountain, a feat which every year claims the lives of some who attempt it, is something to undertake for internal not external validation. So when George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mt Everest, his terse response “Because it’s there” at least spoke to his intrinsic motivation.
For Mallory, the accomplishment was to be for him. It was so he could see from the summit, so he could slay that dragon, so he could collect that victory. It was not about being seen and celebrated for doing so.
“Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.”
— David McCullough Jr
I see so many people driving for a summit not because it’s the achievement they want, but because it’s the one they believe they should want or, worse yet, they attempt it to be seen for having achieved it. That is a victory that may seem sweet in the moment … but often leaves a bitter taste when it’s time to take stock of a life. That is the taste of success without fulfillment.
Success can come without fulfillment. Fulfillment comes through a banquet of successes and failures. The destination I choose is fulfillment… makes the climb worth the effort.
Mallory’s body was found in 1999, 75 years after his third and final attempt. The debate still rages as to whether he died after summiting or before. I deeply hope he got to see the world from 29,029 feet, standing above the jet stream, taking in a view that no one had seen before him. I hope we found fulfillment there.
What does fulfillment look like for you?
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