Get Excited About Life’s Uphill Climbs
A Lesson in Resilience
In life, we all aim at (and look forward to) the “easy” parts when we’re in flow and everything feels aligned, momentum builds, and we experience joy and fulfillment. It’s like a bike ride where you might dread the climb and forge ahead, knowing the downhill reward is near… Those times when you feel the wind in your hair and enjoy the satisfaction of the work-reward cycle.
But what if we could get as excited about the uphill parts of life as we do about the downhill parts?
In public speaking, counselling, and personal development, this idea is powerful. The uphill sections of life are where growth lives. As a counsellor and motivational speaker, I often remind clients and audiences that real transformation happens in the hard moments, not the easy ones.
I’ve been reflecting on this concept while hiking. Hikers aim for the summit, then reap the rewards of an “easy” descent. The truth is, the growth and increased capacity live in the uphill grind. It’s difficult, but that’s where growth lies, and therefore, that’s where the reward really lies.
Sure, the view from the top of the mountain is incredible and the descent is usually the easy part (depending on the terrain), but if we could all learn to appreciate life’s ascents, rewarding the “effort and strain” process, we’d all be better off.
This is also true in counselling sessions and keynote presentations focused on resilience.
Let’s connect the dots… What happens when we stumble or fall?
Failure, although it’s never part of the plan and something we never strive for, is inevitable when you seek progress. When you live at the edge of your comfort zone and take risks while working toward a new summit or goal, setbacks are bound to happen. You might stumble. You might trip and fall. However, when you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and persevere toward your objective, growth prevails.
Some people believe that you actually cannot grow in the absence of failure. Athletes know this all too well. From bodybuilders to swimmers, pushing to the point of exhaustion and failure is the only way to improve your capacity. In mental health, I see the same principle in emotional growth—your capacity for emotional regulation and resilience expands when you’re challenged.
We must be aware of the consequences of our mistakes—dropping a barbell is one thing, but drowning is never an option. There are “no fall zones” along the way, and even in those moments, if you fall (and it’s not a fatal error), they’re some of the best growth opportunities. You improve by analyzing failures, learning lessons, developing new skills, and acquiring resources to fill gaps in your approach.
This process of failing forward enables you to reach a higher level than your existing capacity allows.
Through this lens, failure is progress.
So, is failure good or bad?
Good! Right?
But, how does failure feel?
Bad! Right?
The problem is that we often view failure as a bad thing because it feels bad. It’s difficult emotionally. Subsequently, we view past or present failures as an indication that we lack the ability to succeed—but this is a maladaptive perspective anchored in our emotions, rather than rational thinking. This is one of the most common challenges I address in a therapeutic setting and public speaking workshops: reframing failure as feedback rather than a personal flaw.
Failure hits our self-worth and feels like a reason to quit, but that failure isn’t disqualifying you from success; it qualifies you to reach your next objective. And anyone who’s ever succeeded in anything challenging and meaningful knows it’s true.
Failure is a natural part of the progress process and a necessary step for achieving our goals. Obstacles are simply opportunities in disguise when you choose this perspective.
I’ve found that you can help you develop this mindset when you do the work, and through public speaking, I’ve seen entire groups get inspired to adopt this perspective!
Final Thoughts
Learning to release the emotional strain we experience amid difficulties, mistakes, and errors is an essential step. It’s okay to sit with the discomfort. Acknowledge and allow yourself to feel it, and let it flow before you seek the perspective shift that failure is beneficial.
The uphill parts of life are challenging, and it’s okay to feel that resistance. However, releasing the emotional constraint allows for a vital perspective shift, rooted in resilience and clarity, that will carry you forward.
Whether in a counselling session, coaching program, or motivational keynote, I encourage people to get excited about the uphill grind. Because when you embrace the climb, you build strength, confidence, and resilience that prepare you for your next summit.
Onward with gratitude,
Mike Shaw
If this post resonates, please share it, and don’t hesitate to reach out and book a call with me.
And please grab a copy of Never Part of The Plan if you haven’t already!
For clinical counselling inquiries, please visit GratusHealth.com.
