CLIMBING:How it Contributes to my Personal and

Professional Development

Submitted by Abhisheka Jhunjhunwala

Introduction

Why I started:

• I have always have been open to trying new things• An unhealthy lifestyle motivated me to aim towards

overall fitness

What appealed to me:

• It requires strength, flexibility and coordination• The sport does not solely depend on sheer brute

force• The sport itself is very simple and does not require

elaborate equipment• The second time was easier. I got hooked and

have been climbing ever since

How Climbing Has Helped Me (Personally)

• Improved health: Strength: forearms, core muscles Flexibility: legs and back Stamina: increased endurance

• Trust in the ability of: My body Muscles Hands and feet Most importantly, MYSELF!

How Climbing Has Helped Me (Personally)

• Learnt to use the force of gravity to my advantage rather than struggling against it.

• It has a calming effect; I realized that agitation and a brute force approach do not help, they only wear out the arms and legs. A calculated and practical approach has to be employed

• Body fat percentage is down to 15% from 25% one year back.

• Cut down smoking and drinking: Realized that these habits are greatly hampering my physical

ability and stamina Consequently the decision to reduce these habits was not difficult

to make

How Climbing Has Helped Me (Personally)

• Organize a schedule for daily life and prioritize activities by breaking them down into small tasks.

• Plan smaller steps leading to my goals A difficult climb must be divided into smaller sections Work on each section individually, one at a time

• Balance

• Focus

• Trust in myself and my abilities

How Climbing Has Helped Me (Professionally)

• Learn to use obstacles to my advantage; look at obstacles as opportunities, rather than problems.

• Calm and composed approach to obstacles and challenges Worrying only wears out the mind Use that time and energy to work out solutions Sometimes one has to take a step backward

in order to move ahead

• Improvement in self awareness and consciousness.

How Climbing Has Helped Me (Professionally)

• Plan targets around goals Break down my one big goal into smaller

targets Helps to stay motivated Helps to avoid getting discouraged

• Teamwork A climb requires two people: climber and

belayer The climber must trust his belayer The belayer must be alert and attentive to

his climber’s moves Similarly in any business, teamwork is

essential to move forward/upward.

How Climbing Has Helped Me (Professionally)

• Check and double check equipment and processes

Due to the risks involved, a thorough safety check is performed before every climb

Ensures that the climber and belayer are secure and all the equipment is functional

In business too, a similar approach is absolutely essential to avoid setbacks and unwanted problems

Before and After

BEFORE

• Unhealthy• Tired all the time• Lethargic• No stamina• Worried all the time• No zest for life

AFTER

• Increased energy• Self confident• Organised life• Positive outlook• New mindset:

adaptive vs. confrontational

Bouldering in Ramanagaram, Bangalore, India

A Summary

• I have been climbing for a year now, and I have come a long way from struggling for 45 minutes on the easiest route.

• I now do multiple climbs and am working on more difficult routes.

• Climbing has changed my approach to life in several ways, namely: Overcoming the limiting beliefs of the capabilities of my body

and mind Taught me to focus on priorities Plan and prepare a roadmap for a specific goal, by breaking it

down into smaller targets. Adaptive vs. confrontational approach to life