The problem with reaching the summit is that the only path leads back the way you came.
And so you’re left with a choice.
Remain on the summit and attempt to convince yourself that you’ve gone far enough.
Head back down the way you came.
Or decide which peak on the horizon to head for next.
There’s no path leading forward, as no one’s traveled that way before.
At least not from your current vantage point.
This is the challenge of achievement.
That the more you achieve, the fewer beaten paths lay ahead of you.
Until you achieve so much that the last trail ends.
And the only option left is to blaze a new trail yourself.
No matter what you’ve achieved and how far you’ve come, this is always the greatest test.
If you’re lucky, the conditions are such that you can see further ahead than anyone else and begin to map out your route.
If you’re not, you may have ascended into the realm of fog and cloud with no option but to blunder your way forward until visibility improves.
Either way, the only way forward is forward.
Explore how to navigate a creative life that matters
This article originally appeared in my weekly Creative Wayfinding Newsletter. Each issue is the product of a week of work, and contains something not available for sale.
A fresh perspective, a shot of encouragement when you need it most, and maybe even some genuine wisdom from time to time.
Each week, we explore a different facet of the question “How do we navigate the wilds of creating work that matters?”
It’s something I’m proud to create and I’d be honoured to share it with you.
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