The Mountain of Experience
Welcome to the 106th edition of “In Touch”. As always, I would love to continue the conversation so please hit reply and let me know what you think.
Story of the Week: “The Mountain of Experience”
A few days ago, as I was driving to Nicosia, I was listening to Steven Bartlett’s “The Diary of a CEO” podcast. His guest was Daniel Priestley, a successful Australian entrepreneur, who shared a story that instantly struck a chord with me. Daniel was recounting his experience in Bali, where he had set his sights on climbing the island’s highest peak, Mount Agung.
The trek began at midnight and, after pushing through the darkness and cold, it was dawn by the time he reached the summit. The sunrise revealed breathtaking views of Bali, the glimmering sea, and he would later enjoy the unique experience of cooking eggs in volcanic steam — another moment of pure wonder.
But as Daniel stood there, taking it all in, his gaze drifted to another mountain in the distance on the neighbouring island of Lombok: Mount Rinjani. Curious, he asked his guide about it — how to get there, how long it would take and how much it would cost. The guide, however, responded with words that have stayed with Daniel ever since: “Mr. Daniel,” he said, “you need to appreciate the mountain you are standing on right now!”
This made me think about how often we find ourselves doing the same thing. We achieve something meaningful, overcome a tough challenge or reach a long-awaited goal, only to immediately set our sights on the next objective. The peak that we’re finally standing on, with all its hard-earned lessons and successes, goes unnoticed because we’re already focused on what lies ahead.
Eckhart Tolle captures this sentiment beautifully: “Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is life itself, it is an insane way to live.”
It’s so easy to fall into this trap. We get caught up in chasing future milestones and overlook the value of where we are now — the relationships we’ve built, the successes we’ve achieved and the lessons we’ve learned.
If we keep setting goal after goal without pausing to celebrate our milestones, we risk losing our motivation. Picture Daniel on Mount Agung, enjoying the view and the crisp air. That brief moment of reflection matters just as much as the climb. It recharges us and reminds us why we started the climb in the first place.
So, what should we be doing? First, it’s important to recognise and appreciate the mountain of experience that we’re already standing on. Our achievements, our memories, our network, our unique story — these are assets that others find relatable and inspiring. Second, we must live fully in the present moment. As Tolle suggests, it’s not an obstacle; it’s life itself. Finally, let’s make it a habit to celebrate our milestones: savour the view, breathe in the pure air and use it as fuel for our next journey.
It’s natural to look ahead, to picture the next horizon and to wish for progress. But sometimes, the greatest wisdom lies in pausing, looking around and realizing just how far we’ve already come. Let’s all take a moment today to appreciate our own unique mountain of experience.
Words of Wisdom
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” Alice Morse Earle
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” Oprah Winfrey
A Question to Ponder, dear friend.
When you pause to consider what you have achieved, does it satisfy you or are you anxious to start work on some new goal?
