The Journey to the Second Mountain

For most of us, the first part of our life is spent chasing success as defined by others: our parents, our schools, our employers, and society. We climb the first mountain, following a well-known path to get a degree, a job, a promotion, and a certain kind of life.

But what happens when you reach the top and realize you're not where you want to be? Or, as many of us experience, you get knocked off the path entirely and find yourself in a "valley of despair."

This valley can be a lonely place, a period of uncertainty and reflection. But it's also a necessary transition. It’s where you realize the skills and experiences from your first journey were valuable, but your next one needs to be different. It needs to be yours.

This is the second mountain concept - a new journey built not on ambition, but on purpose. The goal isn't personal success, but helping others and finding a deeper, more meaningful life.

So, what does your second mountain look like?

What no longer serves you? What do you want to build? And with whom do you want to build it?

As the saying goes, "Technologies are simple, it's people who are difficult." As I've learned from my 15 years in IT, from fast-paced startups to safety-critical systems and cutting-edge corporations, the most important thing is the people you work with. Your team, your clients, and your environment are everything.

This is a core lesson I learned from my time at Intel: [Post on LinkedIn]

If you're in that valley of despair and looking for a new path, start here. Ask yourself:

• What matters most to you right now?

• What doesn't fit anymore?

• What do you want the next chapter of your life to be about?

If you feel overwhelmed by these questions, remember to invest in what matters. It can be a starting point.

This is the very essence of my work with #Mentoring4IT and #EmpathicIT. I can help you with the technology, but more importantly, I can help you define your next path through personal mentoring sessions.

Click here to learn more about my mentoring services

Thanks for joining me, and I look forward to helping you define your next big goal.

Cheers,

Anna 🦄