The Lisa Duffield Centre

As we steadily notched up thousands of steps, rations of food depleted and energy levels began to drop, we kept ourselves upbeat by laughing telling jokes and singing, however as the weather began to turn colder and bellies deprived and muscles ached, clothes became damp and the altitude deprived us of oxygen we began to focus on what we didn’t have and not on what we were achieving, we began to discussed fish and chips, pizza, warm soft beds and other home comforts we now looked upon as luxuries, spirits began to drop.

Our team leader Ken was excellent as were the guides who kept saying “don’t be afraid, polie, polie” meaning slowly, slowly, but the team spirit was fading fast, as members of the group had come to learn that I was a motivational speaker, focussing on positive psychology and mental toughness I was the go to person for them to confide in regarding their fear of failure and low mood, amongst tears and tiredness I decided it was time to take action!

I spoke to the team leader and asked if one of the tents could be cleared for me to do a motivational talk, he gladly accepted my offer, I had approximately 20 minutes to prepare, I decided to adapt one of the talks that my great friend Bill (William) Kazmiaer, three times winner, “World’s Strongest Man” once told me. “Conceive, Believe, Achieve,” (CBA) and I added in my own touch of CBA “Can’t be arsed” I said there were two types of CBA those that can’t be arsed to get out of bed on a morning, change lifestyles, careers, relationships, exercise anything that keeps them stuck in a rut and disillusioned with life.

However, we were all the other type of CBA

We CONCEIVED the idea to climb Kilimanjaro

We BELIEVED we could take on the challenge and so did all the people that supported our chosen charities - we imagined that last hug from loved ones and supporters, donating money to save people suffering with cancer or other dreadful illnesses – saying “Good Luck, you can do this, I’m so proud of you.”

I then got the team to imagine breathing in fire and energy and expelling negativity as they prepared to open their eyes and ACHIEVE!

The team left the tent with a personal belief they could do it, spirit was restored and we all reached the summit!

The message of this story is that we should never underestimate the power of the mind.

I would also like to thank the Kilimanjaro team for believing in me.

If you would like to know more about mental toughness, resilience and positive psychology, please visit our website www.lisaduffieldcentre.co.uk and book a free discovery call.