Lost Valley

There's a place in Northern Arkansas called 'Lost Valley'. It sits within the Buffalo National River and was a frequent hike growing up.

Before long, the flat and paved trail turns into gravel. The inclines become more pronounced and the trees grow closer to the trail edge. About a mile in, there comes a fork; take a left to stay on the gravel trail or go right to hike a far (far) less beaten path.

On the less beaten path, there's one particular part where the river has eroded a tunnel through the bluff, with a waterfall coming out of the mouth. If you are careful (and bold) enough, you can climb your way up the rock and actually walk through the tunnel, with the river rushing next to you. The rock is covered in algae and makes for quite the scramble to make it over the last few feet.

It’s hard and you get really dirty. There’s no way to do it pretty or perfect. But wow is the experience worth it!

A scramble is an awkward and hurried effort, using both your hands and feet. It's not the most graceful thing. But it is absolutely necessary. If you don't engage everything you have and move swiftly, you won't make it into the tunnel. (Trust me, you want to make it.)

Sometimes in business, you have to do the awkward thing. You have to engage everything you have to reach your goal. There's a frenzied activity in the short-term to make it to the next stage.

Whether that's a hiring blitz, or massive marketing push.

Maybe it's a time of year where you want to meet a new revenue goal so you're working a lot more than usual.

It could be tax time and you have to add a lot more than usual to your already filled plate.

Or maybe a sudden emergency happens and you're doing everything you can to keep your business afloat.

So here's to the awkward. The imperfect. The 'rushed but done' days in your business.

Here's to you. For doing what it takes to serve your clients and survive another day.

It may not be pretty or perfect, but it's done. And once it's done, you can plan and prepare for the next time, so it's just a little bit better.

Enjoy your view from the top. Continue to explore and go off the beaten path. You'll arrive at the destination a much different person and more prepared for whatever gets thrown at you next.

Your clients (and business) will thank you.