In this blog, I typically write about a combination of my perspectives on life, relationships, success, the real estate business and current events. These are typically the over-arching topics on my mind, so its been a great avenue to share with the world. Today, I want to talk about a hobby that I have been enjoying this summer that has parallels to all of these topics I usually ponder. I just returned from a great mini-vacation to the great state of Colorado, where I was blessed to enjoy many experiences in Denver and in Breckinridge up in the Rocky Mountains. Of course I took care of some business on this trip, but it was the visceral experience I had hiking in the mountains that I believe is worth sharing. 

To give some context, I fell in love with hiking when I lived in Maui, Hawaii seven years ago. Before this period of my life, I never really gave this activity a second thought, let alone put it into practice. To me, hiking sounded like glorified walking, and there were many other things I could spend my time doing that would be more productive or satisfying. However, it was implored by Hawaiian locals and experts that the beauty of the islands could not be fully experienced without exploring them on foot. I took the heed of this advice and strapped on some shoes and packed a camel back full of water, trail mix, and sunscreen. I figured, at the least, I would be able to capture some incredible views that would otherwise be unavailable. After all, I was an island dude now with nothing but time on my hands. 

What I didn't expect was to gain experiences that were so applicable and teachable to the rest of my life. When you set off for a hike, especially in unfamiliar terrain, you rarely completely know what to expect - it is the beginning of an adventure. Perhaps you've researched the length of the hike or the time expected on a certain trail, but you don't fully know the level of difficulty or the obstacles that will be in your way. It is also impossible to know what parts of the hike will be challenging and which parts will give you a moment of recovery. Which moments are uphill, and which are downhill - it is all a mystery in the beginning. 

The only way to discover these things in hiking, as in life/business/real estate, is to face them head on and take action. You must be prepared to battle the challenges and the ups and the downs with persistence and fortitude. You must have reserves to replenish your expended energy and a contingency plan for when things go as unexpected. It is essential to be prepared to innovate, improvise, and look for various solutions to many potential scenarios. When the altitude is high and the oxygen levels are low, as it was in Breckinridge this weekend, you must be ready to power through that challenge and keep your eyes on the prize. When the incline steepens, you must be ready to push forward through painful times and be focused on the end result. When the trail provides some relief, take full advantage. 

Life, business, relationships and real estate investments all have peaks and valleys. We must take the lessons provided from an experience like hiking to know that we can and will reach the desired destination. No matter what comes our way on the path, it is so important to remember that we have what it takes to overcome. No matter how difficult the trail may become, enjoy the view and remain focused on your ultimate goal.