Hiking Pain = Elevation Gain

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No pain, no gain.

Spring Break, 1998. Grand Canyon National Park.

Our mission: hike to the bottom of the canyon and back, in one day.

5,000 foot elevation change, 112 degree heat, 23 mile round trip, and signs all the way down that say “don’t do it”.

Of course hiking a canyon is the opposite of hiking a mountain – with a peak, you get your reward when you’re still full of life mid-hike, and the rest (as they say) is downhill from there.

Hiking a canyon is brutal. That last hour in the dark, dehydrated, the rocks radiating heat like an oven, dragging one foot over the other, not sure if you’re seeing real stars or imaginary stars… and finally cresting the rim of the canyon at the end of a 17 hour day.

Hiking can be so hard, but it can be so rewarding.

That Grand Canyon trip is forever seared into my memory. I’m proud of the accomplishment, and will always have that. But man, it was hard.

That’s why hiking is such a good picture for your financial journey.

A really long hike with a gradual incline can take you to the same elevation as a short hike with an insane incline. On the long hike, you don’t feel it as much. It’s more of a long-term stroll… the short crazy hike is risky, with bad footing, and is completely exhausting. If you have the time, taking the long, safe, predictable trail is often better for your overall well-being, and you get to experience the same summit as the short-term risk-taker.

Hiking is also a great metaphor for running a business.

There are challenges to overcome all the time in business. Trouble with supply chain, unhappy customers, keeping employees, sales and marketing, maintaining profitability… in fact it can feel like a non-stop uphill climb sometimes.

That’s why I created Profit Hiker.

I have a big heart for those who set out on their own in business, on the adventure of a lifetime.

It takes a hardcore mentality to take that risk, and I’m here for it.

Profit Hiker is a book and a program to help small business owners uncover hidden profit in their business, which then helps them build a better business, community, place of employment, family, and self.

I have a thrice-weekly newsletter that gives one helpful idea every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday written for the small business owner. I’m a fan of Main Street over Wall Street all day long, and it shows – If you feel the same way, give it a sub. I’ve sent 132 emails so far without advertising or selling anything – not that I won’t ever, but just to give you an idea of why I do this: for the lonely hiker.

P.S. – Business owner? Don’t forget to check out this program…

Profit Hiker is a program to help business owners discover hidden profit, create margin, avoid financial struggle, and finally feel the freedom of a business that works for you. There are 11 trails to gain lasting elevation in your business, and we have the maps.