Every so often Netflix gets some pretty awesome and inspiring documentaries. Some of my favorites include the Dawn Wall, Free Solo, and The Alpinist, if you haven’t watched them and have any interest in rock climbing I highly recommend them. Of the three, only The Alpinist is still on Netflix. I recommend watching them in that order, because each main character appears in the following film talking about how wild and crazy that person is.
Commonalities
I love watching documentaries like this because they have one thing in common. They are inspiring. As soon as I’m done watching, my blood is pumped up and I’m ready to go take on the world. Yosemite, here I come.
While I know in my current situation I have no hope to achieve what these individuals accomplish, I’m still able to get hyped up about knocking down my next big adventure. Give yourself many opportunities to be inspired, it’s good for you.
Project Possible
A couple weeks ago I was bored and looking for another movie to watch. Yes, I should have been working more on my book, but sometimes I need a break. Thanks to my recommended watch list, the movie 14 Peaks popped up. I’m sure you’ve heard of Mount Everest. One of the tallest mountains in the world (8,848m) and a mountain that many individuals dream of summiting. What you might not know, is that there are 14 peaks in the entire world over 8,000 meters. Each of them potentially fatal if not done with experience and during optimal conditions.
There are only a few individuals who have successfully summited all 14 8,000 meter peaks. The first person to do so took 16 years, the previous record holder took 8 years. I won’t go into too much detail but Nimsdai, a Nepalese mountaineer, embarked on an expedition to summit all 14 peaks in 7 months. No, that is not a typo, 7 months. If you want to watch the documentary here’s the link.
If you want to read more about Nimsdai and Project Possible, they have a great website.
Your Project Possible
There were a few things that Nims said during the film that really stood out to me. He’s talking about all the planning that was involved, and how challenging it was going to be to do this. But then he said,
“But I also knew it was going to be fun.”
No matter how daunted your project is, if it’s a short story, or a twelve book epic fantasy series. Make sure you are having fun along the way. If writing is what you love, then love doing it. Along the way, if writing becomes a chore, you might need to take a break.
There is a fine balance between pushing through a challenge you are facing and dreading sitting down at the keyboard every day.
At each base camp Nims came to, he brought an energy and excitement to the waiting climbers. One mountain in particular had turned several groups around more than once. Camp was bleak with defeat until Nims and his team came through. The attitude they brought did not allow no to even be an option. They didn’t entertain the idea of turning around, it wasn’t “if we can do this, but how can we do this.”
I see individuals like Nims and it makes me reflect on my own life. What can I accomplish if I don’t take no for an answer. I’d say a lot. Each of us can if we put our minds to it and figure out how, not if things are possible.
You don’t have to be the Nim of book writing, you don’t have to change the world. But you can change your own world.
Where are you now, and what is the next big accomplishment? What’s your Project Possible? Comment below, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
Quote
“Elite combat wasn’t enough. I wanted more of a test. Something nobody thought was possible – to climb all fourteen “death zone” mountains in seven months.” -Nimsdia Purja
More Words
- Book Recommendation: The Way of Kings – Brandon Sanderson
- Writing Development: 10 Ways to Write Excellent Dialogue
- Short Story: The Vessel