One of the hardest lessons most people have to learn is that any worthwhile goal is a bitch to get to, despite how easy your algorithm makes it seem.

In life, in business, in marketing - everything is a mountain to climb.

And if something seems too good to be true, one of two things are happening.

• A - it probably is
• B - you've already climbed the damn mountain, but it's been so long since you started the ascent that it doesn't feel as hard as it was at the base

I've come to realize that I tend to surround myself with what we'll call "climbers" and feel a weird moral obligation to wake up those we'll call "sliders".

My clients, my friends, and most of the peers I associate with are like me - we're the type of people who, if we see a 'mountain' in the distance, we suit up for the terrain ahead.

We know that whatever we want is at the top of that mountain and even though there's one hell of a trek to get there and that there will be obstacles, probably a few falls, scrapes and bruises on the journey, we still are committed to getting to the top - no matter how long it takes or how hard it is to get there.

For "climbers," the journey is one of character development, and we embrace the lessons learned along the way. And although it might suck in the moment, it might wear us down, and make us repeatedly question if the journey is actually worth it - once we get to the top, it feels like, "Oh? That's it? That wasn't so bad. I'm glad I did it."

If you've ever literally hiked a mountain, you know the exact feeling I'm talking about.

You bitch and moan the entire way up. You point fingers at the person who said, "this trail isn't that bad" because your heart rate is saying otherwise. But once you reach the peak, eat a lil snackie snack, and take a 5-minute breather to take in the view - none of that matters. You forget how much of a struggle it was, and by the time you're on your way back down the mountain, you're encouraging people who are on their way up.

You might even go as far as saying to those on the journey you just took: "Don't worry, you're almost to the top! You got this!"

These types of people? I love these people. They are my people.

But there are a ton of different personality types out there.

For example, the "sliders."

These are the people who want what's at the top of the mountain just as much as "climbers," but instead of gearing up and getting ready for the journey, they stay firmly planted in the spot they are.

They'll keep asking people who've been to the top of the mountain how they got there, continuously hoping for some sort of hack or easier route. They'll even pay money or invest their time in solutions that promise the view without the climb. But they resist going to the top of the mountain with their own two feet leading the way.

And sometimes, they do find a crazy wild opportunity - like a big bird plucks them from the ground and plops them at the top. But they learned nothing to get there. And as soon as they take a step, they slip because they weren't properly dressed for the terrain, they slide on some rocks, and now they're tumbling down the mountain and have no idea how they could possibly get back up again because the likelihood of that big bird coming back a second time is slim to none.

So now they're frustrated and think the only way they'll ever get back to the top of the mountain is if they summon that big bird back.

They're ignoring the clear path forward (because it looks hard) and instead putting all their time and energy into "getting lucky" with something that looks easier.

If you're reading this right now and identify as a "slider," know my beef isn't with you as much as it is those who enable "sliders."

Because let's be honest, everyone's algorithm does nothing but show us "slider content."

All those "use this viral hook" and "pair your post with this trending audio" or "this trend is going viral, so jump on it asap" type posts are enabling us to think a big bird is going to appear in the f*cking sky to pluck us off the ground and plop us where we need to be.

You're betting on luck.

And luck has nothing to do with sustainable success.

Ask anyone who's currently standing at the top of the mountain you want to be on. And I bet your ass, regardless of the sh*t they're sharing on their feeds to "help" you.... they climbed the damn mountain with their own two feet.

They did the work. They fell. They picked themselves back up, and they did the damn thing because they knew it was the only way.

And the only reason they're selling you shortcuts is because they KNOW no one wants to do the work. No one wants to be told it's f*cking hard and takes time and effort and that there will be failures along the way.

But that's reality. And we log on to social media to escape reality.

So of course, mild delusion is what fills your feeds and fuels your dreams of "maybe I'll get lucky too."

All that is to say: If you want slider content? Open any social app, and you'll be spoon-fed it within milliseconds because that's what the algorithm thrives on.

But if you’re ready to stop hoping for a shortcut and to start putting one foot in front of the other, my boots are already laced up - let's climb that mountain together.

Catch ya next week,

Marissa

PS: If you're local to the Hudson Valley, I'm hosting an in-person workshop on Feb 18th, and you can bet your booty what we're covering will help you climb that mountain. See you there?​

​​​​​