Celebrating Mountains
How do you overcome your mountains? The challenges you face both in business and personally – are you dealing with the small mountains to overcome the big?
There’s a fairly well-known phrase that goes, “Stop making mountains out of molehills.” For anyone that’s not aware of it, it’s basically saying that there’s no need to make a big deal out of something much smaller.
Usually it’s aimed at people who make a song and dance about the smallest thing.
You know, the drama queens for whom the wrong kind of butter on movie popcorn is akin to the worst kind of insult you could make, and boy are you going to know about it.
But you know what? I say let’s make mountains out of molehills. Let’s take the small things, make them larger, and let everyone know about it. Why should anything be insignificant or too small to take notice of or worry about?
Would Bill Gates or Steve Jobs have the loyalty and gratitude of millions if they had left their ideas about consumer and business technology as molehills? Maybe instead of being two of the most influential men on the planet today they’d simply be working undiscovered at a small-town IT company.
With the ease in which people can communicate today and with the support network that is social media behind us, we can all turn our molehills into mountains.
Our small idea for a business start up? Throw it to the community and get constructive feedback and help from people who’ve been there and can guide you through the pitfalls.
That dream of making a difference in people’s lives through change and charity? Social media and the people in it can help you spread the message like never before.
When we accept that molehills are the norm and that mountains are scary obstacles to overcome that should be avoided at all costs, we lose the freedom of choice that makes us who we are. We all have greatness inside us – all we need are the tools.
Social media gives us these tools. What say you – ready to start climbing mountains?
19 Responses to “Celebrating Mountains”
Well dang, I’ll take that type of opening line ANY time, David – cheers!
The Dip is actually one of my favourite Godin books, so double the bonus – cheers again.
Heh, I thought you would like it
Love it, Danny! YES!
“When we accept that molehills are the norm and that mountains are scary obstacles to overcome that should be avoided at all costs, we lose the freedom of choice that makes us who we are. We all have greatness inside us – all we need are the tools.Social media gives us these tools. What say you – ready to start climbing mountains?”
I have been re-inventing me all year and though it is a process, I do feel rather like a mountain climber. Thanks for the inspiration to keep climbing!
And I bet the view from the top is something else, Julie – here’s to seeing you continue to climb
A new and fresh twist on and old assumed idea – go mountains!
Great inspiration for my Sunday morning meditation.
Thanks my friend!
.-= Frank Dickinson´s most recent blog post …4 Ways To Kick Mediocrity’s Ass: Diagnosing The Problem With an Uncommon Mentor =-.Nice perspective (pun intended) on a subject that is near and dear to me. Great to inspire thought to keep things fresh.
.-= Gregg Zban´s most recent blog post …HOW TO: Donate to Chile Earthquake Relief Online =-.This is why I love CommentLuv, Gregg – saw your most recent post, clicked through and donated. Awesome, and thanks for bringing it to my attention
Danny,
Great twist on a phrase we all grew up with. The networking potential that social media affords us allows us to run any idea past our networks and receive feedback in real time. Never have we been in an environment where todays molehill can be tomorrow’s Everest. Keep it up.
Roy
Cheers, Roy – I think that’s potentially one of social media’s biggest sells. Everyone talks about the one-to-many marketing and service bonuses, yet the connection and networking factor shouldn’t be overlooked either.
You are right about taking your idea and making it larger. I know I have lots of fears they seem to escalate at networking events and trying to get my biz off the ground. I should be speaking to the world but yet I turn into a wall flower. Which isn’t the best situation to be in. Thanks.
.-= Jamei Favreau´s most recent blog post …Help a PR Pro out (#HAPPO): Candidate Detroit =-.Here is the challenge I give my students: For the first time in the history of mankind, we have access to free, real-time, global communications. This is a privilege and a revolutionary opportunity. Now, what are you going to do about it?
I think your post capture this spirit, Danny!
.-= Mark W Schaefer´s most recent blog post …New report suggests corporate blogging may be at saturation point =-.Man, wish I’d had a teacher like you, Mark – that’s a fantastic way to lay the ground out and encourage them to really grab everything with both hands. Kudos, mate.
Yet another inspiring post> Thank you, Danny, for always giving me something to ponder and act upon.
.-= Adam Weitner´s most recent blog post …Can you see the real me? =-.Great article Danny..
Everyday I wake up I look myself in the mirror, and tell myself what an awesome day this is going to be. And then tell myself that today I will accomplish at least two new things that I can be proud of.
Not only do I want to overcome my mountains, but climb over them and get on the other side..
Talking about molehills.. that little turd is out here digging in my yard.. so yuup no reason to accept those molehills.
Cheers.. Are
.-= Are Morch´s most recent blog post …How To Create An Social Media Experience? =-.Ha, props for the best closing line in a comment on this blog ever, Are – thanks, fella.
And PS – love your attitude, mate.
I now embarrass myself dropping the wisdom of Miley on moving mountains:
“Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb”Oh the shame. Anyway Are and Danny, gotta agree.. The little things matter, and we’re lucky to live in an age when we have the tools to make things happen.
.-= Davina K. Brewer´s most recent blog post …Twitterversary: 7 things I have learned about Social Media (so far) =-.
Hey friend, I am jumping in late on this one- these thoughts are inspiring. I love the idea of tackling the mountains- for me personally, I can’t assess the size of the mountain before hand, sometimes the size of it can send me retreating as a result of being intimidated. I am more of the focus on what is in front of me, give it 100% and before I know it, I have conquered. Much like watching someone juggle. The juggler rarely looks up at all the balls in the air, their focus is always on the ball in hand, first receiving the ball then putting the ball back into play. LOL- hope that made sense!!
Danny you are one deep son-of-a-gun. I always enjoy your insights. This one is wonderful. Your positivity is gold. I also enjoy when you rant and rave and cause trouble for the addle brained haters of the world via a gentleman’s discourse. Keep up the good work.
.-= Christina Kingston´s most recent blog post …Top 5 People Who Need To Shut Up =-.
Hey Danny, you remind me of Seth Godin
He wrote a book called The Dip and talked about how businesses should welcome ‘the dip’ because if you can overcome it, your competitors have to overcome an even larger dip in order to get close to you.
You’re absolutely right that social media gives us tools to help climb mountains (or overcome dips). Let’s make some mountains together!
.-= David Wang´s most recent blog post …How to grow your Facebook Fan Page: WOW Photo gets 3000 fans in 2 months =-.