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There is an old expression which states that ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step and is completed one step at a time’. Nelson Mandela, in his presidential address to the ANC (Transvaal) Congress in September 1953 said that "there is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow (of death) again and again before we reach the mountain tops of our desires". In 49BC, Julius Caesar famously pronounced “alea iacta est” meaning the die is cast as he marched his army across the river Rubicon, an act considered as insurrection and treasonous. The expression ‘crossing the Rubicon’ is now synonymous as a point of no return.
There are so many stories and anecdotes regarding journeys and the bookstores are overflowing with authors’ tales, fictional or otherwise. Whether we can take inspiration or ideas from these narratives and idioms will be a very personal choice based upon a number of factors, not least personality and current life experience.
Everyone experiences their own journey, personally and/or professionally with the two often interlinked. For some this is very overt, while for others is happens outside of awareness. Nevertheless, the journey is there. The question is what we do with it, if anything?
If you stand in a stream or river you never stand in the same body of water, simply because the water is flowing on its own journey. You can travel north or south and reach a destination (pole). If you travel east or west you can continue forever. So what is more important, the journey or the destination? Is it both?
In coaching, mentoring and/or consultancy we often discuss with clients what their desired destination is and we may make reference to the steps taken to get there. What may be missed is the importance not just of the journey they will take but what happens on that journey. What will they experience or learn? What challenges will they face? How will they deal with set-backs and obstacles? They could have read a thousand articles from others who have succeeded, yet still not have the courage or determination to succeed. Alternatively their journey may be filled with positive and uplifting experiences. Anyone can be a prophet and predict what will happen. Until the journey begins and that first step is taken (which takes its own degree of courage) no one knows for certain. Only the experience of the individual is authentic.
The journey that people take is often dictated by a number of factors. They may embark on this journey because they have decided they want to (ownership), they believe they should (perhaps nudged or coerced by others) and/or they have been told to do it. I’ve certainly been in this position before and I can clearly identify which ones have been more successful. The point is simply to explore why the journey is taking place and whether the destination is more or equally important to the journey.
There are many tales surrounding the American pioneers of the old west, travelling to Oregon, California and Salt Lake City. Names synonymous with these pioneering journeys include Dr. Elijah White, a Presbyterian missionary and Brigham Young, the Mormon leader of the time. White led some 1000 pioneers to Oregon, while Young directed the movement of some 16,000 Mormons, in both cases over a distance of some 2000 miles. Obstacles were everywhere. From simply falling off a horse to fevers, lack of food/water, Indian attacks, poor medical facilities (if any), drowning in river crossings, snake bites, rotten food and accidentally shooting yourself or a neighbour. This was on top of the weather and the natural geography.
Yet, they persevered and established thriving colonies which have stood the test of time. Perhaps some of these lessons include the desire to succeed, not going-it alone, having strong leadership, believing in the destination and a better future as well as commitment and determination. What would you add? What would you need to have made this journey, as a pioneer?
David Monro-Jones AFC ASM
IIC&M Managing Director
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