The Hike That Changed Everything
Without a clear purpose behind your goals, the journey can feel like wandering in the dark, and the obstacles will seem much bigger than they actually are. But don’t worry—figuring out the "why" behind your goals is the heart of Step 4 in Michael Hyatt’s Your Best Year Ever, and that’s exactly what we’ll explore today.
But before we get into the details, let me share a story that will help make this all come to life.
When my classmates were planning post-graduation trips to the beach, I had a different idea: I begged my dad to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) with me. The problem? We knew nothing about hiking. Our outdoor experience was limited to a few laps around REI. But my dad wanted to make my dream happen, so we loaded up our hilariously over-packed gear and headed out the door, clueless but enthralled by the adventure ahead.
It didn’t take long for reality to slap us in the face. For starters, my 12 pounds of rice and Dad’s 8 pounds of chocolate might not have been the best packing decisions. I began sprinkling rice along the trail like some kind of unhinged fairy godmother, while Dad handed out chocolate bars to passing hikers. They loved him for it, dubbing him “Candy Man,” a trail name he wore with pride.
The first night, I discovered just how out of our depth we were. At the campsite, hikers were performing some sort of medieval pulley game to hoist their food onto metal poles. I watched, baffled, until someone explained: “Bear poles. Keeps the bears from eating your food.”
“Wait—there are bears here?” I asked, my voice hitting an octave reserved for cartoon characters. The pitying looks I got confirmed what I already suspected: I was the least experienced hiker within a fifty-mile radius.
The next day, Dad’s 70-pound pack—literally twice as heavy as a reasonable one—became his personal nemesis. Every 20 yards, he’d stop, groan, and drop it to the ground. “Dad,” I said, exasperated, “stop taking it off every time! Just lean against a tree. You’re wasting energy.”
Determined to take my advice, Dad leaned back against the nearest oak… and missed. I watched in horror as he tumbled downhill, somersaulting over and under his pack like a turtle strapped to a boulder. When he finally came to a stop, I scrambled down to help him. He was fine, thankfully, though his pride may have taken a hit. After a few muttered words about whose “bright idea” this trip had been, he hoisted his pack and kept going.
Six days later, we limped into Harpers Ferry, having completed the Maryland section of the trail. By then, I was hooked—completely in love with hiking, backpacking, and everything outdoors. Dad? Not so much. He loved me, not hiking. But he finished the trail because my dream mattered to him.
Years later, hiking had become my love language. I’d moved to Tennessee for college, spent weekends exploring the Smokies, hiked in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, and climbed a volcano in Central America. When I graduated from grad school, it felt only fitting to celebrate with the ultimate adventure: summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Pitching the idea to Dad felt crazy. He’d survived the A.T., but just barely, and he knew firsthand how grueling mountains could be. But when I asked, he didn’t hesitate: “Let’s do it.”
This time, he knew exactly what he was getting into—and he still said yes. For a full year, he trained like a man on a mission. He joined a gym, alternated cardio and weights, and rucked around local hills with his pack. He researched gear obsessively, packed and repacked, and studied every detail of the climb.
Dad didn’t tackle Kilimanjaro because he loved hiking—he didn’t. He did it because he loved me. His ‘why’ was simple: to stand with me at the summit of one of the biggest adventures of my life and celebrate a milestone that mattered. The same man who once handed out chocolate bars on the Appalachian Trail was now fully prepared to climb Africa’s tallest mountain—not because it was fun or easy, but because his love for me pushed him every step of the way. And when the trail got tough, his ‘why’ kept him going. That’s the power of a strong ‘why.’
Why Your Goals Won’t Succeed Without a Clear “Why”
Goals on their own are just words on paper. Whether it’s losing weight, starting a business, or running a marathon, the goal itself isn’t enough. What makes the difference is knowing why it matters to you. A clear and compelling ‘why’ is what keeps you moving forward when motivation fizzles and the obstacles feel like brick walls. It’s what turns a vague wish into an unstoppable drive.
Take a moment—right now—to think about your goals. Why do they matter? Maybe you want to get healthier, not just to fit into old jeans, but to feel strong enough to chase your kids without gasping for air or have the energy to hike to that mountaintop you’ve always dreamed of seeing. Maybe you want to build your business, not just for financial freedom, but to create a legacy that inspires others and gives back to your community. Or maybe you’re chasing a dream, not because it’s easy, but because it lights a fire in your soul.
Your ‘why’ is like the compass in a storm—it won’t clear the skies or calm the waves, but it will give you direction when everything else feels overwhelming. It’s what pushes you to lace up your shoes when the trail feels too steep and gets you back up when you stumble. A strong ‘why’ doesn’t just keep you moving—it gives meaning to every step.
Connect your goals to what truly matters. Ask yourself: What will achieving this allow you to do? How will it impact the people you love or the way you see yourself? Goals rooted in deeper meaning stop feeling like chores and start feeling like choices worth fighting for.
Whether it’s better health, stronger relationships, or building a legacy, your ‘why’ transforms a wish into unstoppable determination. Write it down, keep it visible, and let it remind you why it matters. When the climb gets tough—and it will—your ‘why’ will anchor you.
The Kid That Conquered the World
When Jordan Romero was in fourth grade, he saw a poster that would change the course of his life: the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent. Unlike most kids who might have daydreamed about climbing them, Jordan had a fire lit inside him. He wasn’t just aiming to be the youngest person to conquer them—he wanted to start right away. He knew that waiting around wasn’t an option for him.
At just 10 years old, Jordan became the youngest person to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, breaking records and showing the world that age wasn’t a barrier—it was just a number. But what started as a personal goal transformed as his journey continued. Climbing was still his passion, but with each peak, his purpose grew. By the time he stood atop Mount Everest at 13, Jordan realized that his journey wasn’t just about reaching the top of mountains—it was about inspiring other kids to conquer their own "Everests," whatever that might look like.
Through each climb, Jordan dedicated his efforts to a cause or a person. His "why" shifted from simply being about personal achievement to a mission to help others see that hard things were possible. He began speaking to kids around the world, sharing his story and showing them that no goal was too impossible, no dream too far. His climbs were no longer just about the mountains; they were about giving others the courage to take the first step, whether it was on a peak or in their own lives.
Jordan's legacy isn’t just the record-breaking achievements—it’s the ripple effect he’s created in the lives of young people everywhere, teaching them to tackle obstacles head-on and reminding them that they are capable of so much more than they can imagine.
If you find Jordan’s story inspiring, check out his autobiography, No Summit Out of Sight. Written through the eyes of a kid, it’s a truly unique and motivational read.
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| Jordan summiting Everest at age 13 |
Through each climb, Jordan dedicated his efforts to a cause or a person. His "why" shifted from simply being about personal achievement to a mission to help others see that hard things were possible. He began speaking to kids around the world, sharing his story and showing them that no goal was too impossible, no dream too far. His climbs were no longer just about the mountains; they were about giving others the courage to take the first step, whether it was on a peak or in their own lives.
Jordan's legacy isn’t just the record-breaking achievements—it’s the ripple effect he’s created in the lives of young people everywhere, teaching them to tackle obstacles head-on and reminding them that they are capable of so much more than they can imagine.
If you find Jordan’s story inspiring, check out his autobiography, No Summit Out of Sight. Written through the eyes of a kid, it’s a truly unique and motivational read.
How to Discover Your Key Motivations and Stay on Track
You’ve set your goals, but without a clear “why,” they can feel like a burden. This step is all about uncovering what drives you so you stay motivated when the going gets tough.
Ask Yourself the Big Questions:
- How will achieving this change my life, or the lives of those I love?
- What values, dreams, or priorities does this reflect?
- What will it let me experience, feel, or accomplish that I can’t right now?
Write Your Answers:
Take out a piece of paper (or open a document on your phone) and answer these questions. Don’t just read—write your answers down! You’ll be surprised how much clearer your motivations become when you put them into words. Then, rank your answers from most to least important. This will help you focus your energy on what really matters.
Highlight Your Top Three Motivations:
Once you’ve ranked your answers, pick the three motivations that stand out the most. Keep them visible—whether on a sticky note, your phone’s lock screen, or in your planner. These are your guiding reminders of why this goal matters.
How Paying Off Our Mortgage Became More Than a Financial Goal
For Wes and me, paying off our mortgage is about more than just eliminating a monthly payment. It’s about the freedom to live without financial stress, the peace of mind that comes from building something lasting, and the time we’ll gain to explore the world and make memories together.
Financial Freedom: Paying off our house means no more mortgage payments. That extra cash can go toward the things that matter most—like traveling, saving for retirement, and supporting causes we care about.
- Peace of Mind: With the mortgage paid off, our home will be truly ours—no debt, just the freedom to enjoy life without financial worry.
More Time for What Matters: A paid-off house will free us to prioritize what we love—spending more time with family, traveling, and exploring the national parks with our dog.
Keeping these motivations front and center—whether written in my planner or reflected in my daily thoughts—helps me stay grounded when the grind feels overwhelming.
The Power of a Clear “Why” in Achieving Your Goals
Life gets busy. When it does, your motivations will remind you why you’re pushing forward. Instead of getting lost in the grind, turn back to your “why” for renewed energy. For us, when we don’t feel like picking up overtime or saying “no” to spending, we remember what we’re building: financial freedom, peace of mind, and more time for the things we love.
Create a Step-by-Step Plan to Achieve Your Goals and Stay Motivated
To turn your goals into reality, you need more than just a clear vision—you need a plan of action. If you missed last week’s post, I did a deep dive into setting goals using the SMARTER framework. So, if you need a refresher or want more details, be sure to check out that post here.
Once you’ve set your SMARTER goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Exciting, and Relevant), it’s time to break them down into actionable steps.
Start by asking yourself:
What’s the first step I need to take?
How can I break this big goal into smaller, manageable tasks?
Break Your Goals into Actionable Steps and Schedule Them for Success
Once your goals are clear, it's time to break them into smaller steps. Remember the SMARTER framework from last week's post? If you missed it, be sure to check it out along with my free printable guide to help you set up your goals the right way!
Now, take your big goal and choose a few key tasks that will help you make the most progress. Focus on tasks with the highest impact—the ones that get you closer to your goal faster.
Examples of High ROI Tasks
Health goal: Prepping meals for the week instead of deciding on the fly.
Financial goal: Automating extra payments toward debt or savings.
Learning goal: Blocking off an hour to study instead of multitasking.
Relationship goal: Scheduling uninterrupted time with your spouse or kids.
Pro Tip: Each morning, pick 1-3 “must-do” tasks that will move you closer to your goal. Keeping it simple helps you stay focused and avoid overwhelm.
Next, schedule those tasks. If it’s not on your calendar, it probably won’t happen.
For extra accountability, bring in a buddy! I have an alarm for burpees, and the kids are relentless about making sure I never skip. (They take their job very seriously!) Whether it’s a friend, spouse, or even your kids, having someone to cheer you on—or call you out—makes a world of difference.
Just a quick caution, though: Choose carefully with whom you share your goals. At the beginning, your goals are like fragile seeds—they need nurturing, not stomping. Only share them with people who will water and support them, not those who might crush your dreams. And if you’re not sure who to turn to, drop me a comment or shoot me an email. I’d love to be your cheerleader!
Final Thoughts on Staying Motivated
When you know why you’re doing something and have a clear, simple plan, your goals become much more achievable. Take action, stay focused, and remember: setbacks are part of the process!
Next week, we’ll dive into how to keep going even when things don’t go as planned—because they will happen.
If you missed any of the previous posts, be sure to check out the full playlist to catch up and keep your momentum going!
Take care, stay curious, and I’ll see you next time!
Want to Read Along? Get the books here!
Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt
No Summit Out of Sight by Jordan Romero
DISCLAIMER: Some of the above links may be affiliate links, meaning if you purchase a product or service via these links I may receive a small commission/reward, at no additional charge to you!
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