Beyond Cancer Survival: Living a Life of Thrival by Michael Samuelson
Today, I am honored to have a guest for the Dr. Rob blog, my friend Michael Samuelson, who presented at Rob Pasick’s Leaders Connect Breakfast recently on his new book, “Beyond Cancer Survival: Living a Life of Thrival–39 Reflections from Glaciers, Mountains, RainForests, Boardrooms and Life.” This is a very important book with life lessons for everyone. Michael is one of the world’s most renowned speakers. It will be well worth your time to watch this video, the power of the possible, by yourself or with others.
Here is Michael’s story:
After a cancer diagnosis in 1999, and after the age of 50, I decided to ignore the advice to “…rest and take it easy.” Instead, I headed out to Alaska to get certified in technical mountain climbing. Ropes, crampons, pick axe and all. Over the next 15 years, I trekked Glaciers and climbed mountains in Asia, Africa, North America, Europe, and South America. Wonderful adventures yielding golden and glorious life lessons.
I could never have crisscrossed the globe, alone. I needed a team.
Mountain climbing and glacier trekking require superb conditioning and precision teamwork. When tethered on a dangerous slope or when crossing a snow blown field of ice your very life may well depend upon who is sharing the rope with you. You must feel confident that, should you slip into a crevasse or lose your balance, your teammates will be able to hold on and pull you to safety. Likewise, you must be able to save someone else and to … literally … pull your own weight.
Once, when crossing a glacier in Alaska, I was on a line with a young riverboat captain from Juneau who was dogging it all afternoon. Continually, I could feel tension on the line and when I turned around, sure enough, the rope was taut and I was dragging him up the slope or across the valley. Considerably older than my riverboat companion and doing my best to drag my own weight, I turned to him after several urgings and warned that the next time I turned around I would have my Swiss Army blade out and would cut the line. He picked up his pace and I never had a problem the rest of the day.
4 Questions:
- Would you cross a glacier with your current team?
- Could you save someone if he or she fell into a crevasse?
- Would they be able to save you?
- If necessary, could you use your Swiss Army knife?
If you answered “No” to any of the questions above, you may wish to consider finding a new team…
Can you improve your selection and qualifying process to minimize the need to remove members of your team during critical moments of your mission?
~ Guest blogger Michael H. Samuelson
Enjoy your day, do your best work, and keep in touch.
Dr. Rob