That’s right, rock climb your way to your next promotion. How? It’s as easy as finding your nearest boulder and just trying to find the best way to get to the top. Of course, there are safer ways to go about this if you have never done it before. For example, you could go to a climbing gym in your local area and try the boulder problems they have, or even test out a belaying session. If you have never belayed before, this is when you are in a harness attached to a rope, normally top rope for beginners, and an instructor is on the ground holding the other end of the rope. The rope is fed through a device called a belay and this device, along with the instructors quick reactions, will protect you if you slip. Top rope climbing, as I mentioned earlier, is the most likely scenario you will find yourself in as a beginner. Top rope is when the rope is already at the top of the climbing route, usually on a sort of pulley. This is different than Lead Climbing, which is the same principle in terms of you and the belayer, but the difference is that as you climb the route, you need to clip into the carabineers in case you slip, that way you can be caught by your partner/instructor/belayer. How does this help get you to a promotion? By working your body and your mind!
Rock climbing requires use of many different muscles throughout your whole body. Yes, your biceps, triceps, and deltoids, but also your full core, as well as your legs. In fact, when you first start to climb, don’t be surprised to hear the instructor tell you to use mostly your legs. This may contradict what you have seen on Instagram and YouTube, but it is true. You stretch with the arms, and push up with the feet as you find the different positions. The need to find the route, or memorize the route brings me to my next point. Rock Climbing strengthens your mind. You need to be able to problem solve. In fact, trying to climb the top of a boulder is called a problem. There are many routes in the United States and all over the world, that had the problems solved, and the routes all mapped out and bolted. This requires use of memorization and the ability to envision some of the moves, perhaps when you’re at the base of the wall. The same is true for Indoor Rock Climbing gyms, although their routes change more often and challenge you to figure out the easiest way to get to the top.
Being mindful and taking everything one step at a time translates extremally well to the professional world. Very rarely is anyone rewarded for acting rash and making the risky move. However, the calculated move, that just looked risky to those who did not take the time to see it, is more rewarded. Will this move be big enough to get you promoted? Well, I could point you to all the studies and all of the testimonials, but honestly, just get out there and try it. It’s a workout, and if you can figure out the problem to get to the top of the wall, then you can figure out the bug that needs to be patched, and the design that is going to generate more views. Get out there!