How to manufacture a win

Nicholas Spallitta
Sep 2, 2018 · 3 min read

When you’re doing your best, sacrificing to build something, playing the long game, trying to find a better way, or approaching a lifelong dream. It can be a lot like climbing a mountain; sometimes with greater difficulty, longer routes, or no route at all.

It’s important to manufacture some quick wins along the way. If for anything to fuel that drive for it or the freedom that comes along side success. The level of difficulty it took to get there from where you were before coupled with the people you do it with or meet along the way is what makes the climb memorable. The summit is just a brief memory, photo, and a great view from the top.

The world does it’s best to keep you thinking about instant gratification; we are not biologically predisposed to think about the bigger picture and our society takes advantage of that.

There are two things I have learned that help me keep that long-term perspective, while getting a quick win and feeding that energy needed to keep moving forward. The latter I wish I would have learned and practiced earlier in life.

First, get outside of your typical day or world to accomplish something. This gives you a bit of a vacation from your normal grind. For me it’s heading to places that are somewhat void of a connection to technology, literally way outside. Typically the mountains or places that don’t get great cell phone coverage are what I gravitate towards. I’m game for most outdoor challenges and adventures, but climbing above the tree line has always been one of my favorite things to do.

Second, is being part of or helping someone else with a win. It’s not completely altruistic. I get a lot of joy from seeing people that deserve it, win and find success. That inner voice of, I can do that to or even better, is absent and I find myself relishing in the team’s victory or even better the success of someone I coached or encouraged along the way.

Lastly, I think you just have to be grateful that you have the latitude and ability to try to climb mountains or pursue things that require short-term sacrifices.

Some people may be just tired or have given up trying to do more. Many more people, not by choice, spend all of their time struggling to meet their essential needs of health, wellness, and safety.

If you can do it then maybe you should. If you don’t maybe you are doing a disservice to those that cannot. Maybe you’re missing an opportunity to help them and yourself.

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