Nobody climbs Everest in one push. The route is broken into stages, and most of the time on the mountain is spent letting the body adjust rather than gaining height. Growing a business works the same way, and for the same reason.
This guide walks the six stages of the climb, from base camp to the summit, and what each one has to say about scaling a construction business without coming unstuck.
Growth mindset site briefing
The Time Spent Not Climbing Is the Point
Plan pillar
Climbers do not sit at each camp because they are tired. They sit there because the body has to adapt to the altitude before it can safely go higher. Push through it and you do not get to the top faster, you get carried down.
Why does taking it in stages actually matter?
Because each camp changes what you can survive at the next one. Base camp lays the foundation for everything above it. Skip the adjustment and the altitude does not care how fit or motivated you are.
A business scales the same way. Every step up in size needs the systems, the people and the cash to adjust before the next step is survivable, and no amount of effort substitutes for that.
What the six stages ask of you
Each one has a different difficulty, and knowing which is which is most of the skill.
- Base camp: lay the foundation everything else rests on.
- Camp 1 at 20,000 ft, reached across a moving glacier. The ground itself is not stable.
- Camp 2, flatter but with extremes of temperature that are mentally harder than the steep climbing. The first sight of the peak.
- Camp 3, an ice wall to traverse and a camp perched on the edge. Dangerous, and the views are the reward.
- Camp 4 and the push for the summit.
- The descent, which is when most accidents happen.
Worth remembering Climbers change the goal when the weather turns, and they do not treat it as failure. They have already achieved something worth counting. A business owner adjusting a target mid-year is doing the same thing.
Explore the Plan pillar resourcesTake it in stages
Climbing Everest isn’t possible in one go, you need to take it in stages to be safe. There are six stages you need to take on to get to the top, each with its challenges.
The first stage is to get to the base camp, which will lay the foundation that will help you climb up the rest of the steps. Then Camp 1 sits at 20,000 ft, and the route to get there is over a moving glacier. Camp 2 is a bit flatter but can go from extremes in temperature which can be mentally tougher than the steep climbs. When you get to the 2nd camp you can see the peak of Everest for the first time. Camp 3 is difficult as there is an ice wall that needs to be traversed. The camp itself is like an eagle’s nest, perched on the edge of the mountain, and is dangerous. But the views are known to be stunning and you can look back and see how far you have come. Camp 4 is the highest camp on earth at 26,000 ft. It is known as the death zone. Humans struggle to survive unaided if they are unfamiliar with the altitude and need extra oxygen. Many get there and don’t make it to the summit. It is another 3000 ft to get to the top of Everest. The satisfaction when you get there must be immense, as only two-thirds of the climbers who set out actually reach the summit.
How to climb your Everest
Now while there is less altitude sickness when it comes to growing your business, there are a lot of similarities. The path to Everest is much like the path in business, you need the effort to be successful. Here are some of the lessons we can learn:
- No one can reach the top of Everest without setting a goal. In your business, you need to set big goals and have an end destination in mind.
- You need to build a good foundation before starting to climb. For a mountaineer that could take years of training and preparation. Planning and preparation can seem boring and feel like you are not getting anywhere, but planning and preparing and putting systems in place will really ensure you get where you want to go.
- You really need to make a plan now on how you can reach your goal. The camps on Everest are where you can re-group and take stock before pushing to the next camp. Breaking a big goal down into stages means that you consistently take a few steps every day to the next step. Your journey seems more achievable, and you can make the changes you need to make gradually.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. When climbing Everest, Sherpas are vital to guide climbers up the mountain. They have been there and done that, have a wealth of experience and know exactly where and when the challenges and dangers are. When in business you enter unknown territory, don’t be afraid to ask for help and get advice on how to tackle challenges in the right way. It can save you a lot of money in the long run. Coaches are a great resource and they can fast track you on the way to your goal, as they see past the day-to-day running of your business and can work out strategies to reach goals faster.
- Remember the end goal isn’t the only significant achievement. Each time you reach a goal you need to celebrate and recognise that you need to stop every now and again and enjoy the journey. This could be just the psychological boost you need to get there. Goals can change, life can be surprising and it doesn’t always take goals into consideration. Maybe you need to stop and take a different track. Everest climbers sometimes have to change their goal if the weather or conditions change, but they have already achieved so much and it is worth celebrating.
If you would like to make this a standout year for you and your business feel free to get in touch and book a strategy call to see how we can help you transform your business here.
