Hi Leaders,
Do you have a photo that takes you back to the exact moment your life shifted?
The kind of moment that showed you strength you didn’t know you had?
For me, it is a picture of a waterfall.
I keep this photo on the wall above my desk, and to most, it probably just looks like a pretty vacation picture.
But it captures the day my life seemed to pivot from defeat to possibility.
I was on a hike, at high-altitude, around Mammoth Lakes, CA. The funny part was, that I never intended to hike that day. I thought I had planned a bus tour for my friend and me.
The bus drove up an impossibly windy and steep mountain. I was shocked when the bus didn’t drop us off at a photo op.
It dropped us off at a trailhead instead.
Laughing, I bought a plastic bottle of water and set off down the trail to see Devils Postpile, which was “just a bit over that way.”
Inside, I was nervous. Could I really do this?
Up until this point, I still struggled to make it on a walk around my suburban neighborhood without needing to rest to recover my balance. I couldn’t even walk up the steps inside my house with my eyes open because I would get too dizzy. I would have to hold onto a railing and walk with my eyes closed.
Yet, here I was, hiking miles along a path. The thin air challenged my lungs, and the uneven ground crunched under my sneakers, forcing me to focus on each step.
But walking out in nature, was somehow making me feel better, not worse. I felt steadier, and more alive, with every uneven step.
So I kept going.
As I walked, and talked to other hikers, it became clear that the destination I needed to see was Rainbow Falls. Was it as beautiful as everyone said?
I kept going, picking up a stick along the way to use as a walking stick, and rationing the small amount of water I had.
I just kept going until I rounded the corner and saw the top of this waterfall (where I took the picture).
The water rushing over the cliff, sawing deep trenches through the hard rock. The vertigo I felt then was from the waterfall, not internal.
And I couldn’t help but smile at the ever-present rainbow that appeared over the waterfall.
In that moment, I knew, without a doubt, that the limits I thought I had, the dizziness, the imbalance, the belief that I couldn’t handle physical exertion, were not real.
I could do hard things.
I could do things I had not even imagined.
What I thought was out of reach, was not, if I just took my time.
By the end of the hike, I was physically exhausted. My watch said I hiked 7 miles, and it took the entire day.
Discovering the beautiful waterfall was an unexpected bonus that I think back to often.
I have since bought better hiking equipment, never hike without water, and have enjoyed many challenging hikes out in nature.
And you probably guessed this part, many of my hikes are to waterfalls.
Looking at the photo still causes a rush of emotions: pride, self-discovery, all with a dash of humor because I never meant to experience any of those things that day.
I didn’t just discover a waterfall, I discovered a version of myself that I thought I had lost forever.
I was still resilient, adventurous, and capable of more than I could imagine.
We all have those moments where we are reminded of how far we’ve come, even when we didn’t think we could.
So, what’s your waterfall moment? The memory or photo that reminds you just how far you’ve come and shows you what’s possible.
Key Takeaways
✅ Big changes start with small steps. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected detours that teach us what we’re capable of.
✅ Redefining your limits takes patience. Taking things one step at a time can turn “impossible” into “possible.”
✅ Looking back can help you move forward. Remembering moments when you pushed through challenges can give you confidence for what’s ahead.
Keep leading with resilience, curiosity, and heart.
Because the next challenge you face might just be your own waterfall moment:
- a chance to rediscover your strength,
- redefine your limits,
- and inspire those around you to do the same.
So, I’ll leave you with this:
What’s the next step you can take today to move closer to the leader you aspire to be?
Your moment of possibility might be waiting just around the corner.
See you next time!
With appreciation,
Andrea
next steps
Ready to uncover your own waterfall moments as a leader?
I offer coaching, workshops, and consulting to help you break through limits, build confidence, and lead with purpose.
If this resonates, let’s chat!
|
|
|
special offer
7 Days to Amplify Your Impact
At the beginning of this year, I created a course (delivered by email) about how to amplify your impact as a leader.
I'm offering it to all my Leadership Advantage subscribers.
Enroll for FREE today to start leading your way.
|
P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to someone you think might like it. Make sure to subscribe below ↓
