Starting Your Own Business Means Struggling, Sweating and Panting... All the Way Up

There is a wonderfully magical mountain near my home. It is called Puʻu o Hulu by the Hawaiian people.

Puʻu o Hulu on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi (photo by KS)

Like many things here, there is a legend to go with the mountain. It was originally a human — a chief — who was in love with Maʻiliili (“ma illy illy”). Maʻiliili had an identical twin sister, and sadly, the chief couldn’t tell them apart. A lizard goddess turned the three into mountains, and Puʻu o Hulu is left to eternity trying to determine which of the twin mountains that face him to the north is his true love.

It takes a little over half an hour to hike to the summit of Pu’u o Hulu. The distance is 1.6 miles and has an elevation gain of 679 feet.

Itʻs a steadily-uphill, rocky climb, and challenging — at least for me. Though I do it often (weekly or more), the hike never seems to get any easier.

When I'm at the bottom starting out my hike, I think of how hard it will be. Before I even leave my house, my mind is already trying to talk my body out of going! But I know how good I'll feel at the top.

Always looking toward the prize (photo by KS)

When I’m standing at the base of the mountain, I compare the hike I’m about to take with the path I’m on in life, and to my new business as a writer.

I’m not going to get to the top of the mountain and the utterly amazing views by standing there waiting to reach them, or by waiting for someone or something to carry me up.

Struggling, sweating and panting, uphill I trudge, stepping from rock to rock. Sometimes I catch myself from slipping or tripping, but even if I fall (and that’s happened once or twice), I keep going, never stopping until I get to the top.

I’m red-faced when I finally arrive, but it’s so worth the effort and exertion.

I’d rather be at the top of that mountain than any other place on this island. It’s peaceful and beautiful… almost holy.

Itʻs a place to meditate, to pray, to contemplate life.

But getting there is a matter of taking it step by step. So I do.

And in life and work, with the encouragement I get from people who support and teach me, the powerful books I read, and the effort I put in daily, one foot moves in front of the other.

I know I’ll get to the “top” and will reach my goals. But I can’t launch myself there. I have to climb, bit by bit.

A 360-degree rainbow enjoyed from the top of Pu'u O Hulu, while enjoying a 360-degree view. (Photo by KS)