Not too long ago I went on a mission to conquer the Mount Everest of South Africa, that’s correct, the infamous “Table Mountain”.
One Sunday morning, after being persuaded by my significant other, Charlin, I found myself heading up a mountain ... a mountain that gave me a new perspective to life (and a beautiful view of Cape Town).
As I stood at the foot of the mountain with my water in the one hand and Biltong in the other, I immediately thought, “What am I doing?”, “I’m not the fittest person in the world (to say the least)”. But through constant motivation from my partner I proceeded.
The first 15 minutes went well, I managed to move up a few steps thinking this is great, PROGRESS! The next 20 minutes I began breathing deeper ... and deeper. At this moment I stopped to stare down the mountain and rethink the decision to go ahead. Knowing that we still had a few more hours left of hiking, I thought of the perfect pitch to persuade Charlin that it’s not too late to turn back and take the cable car!
Just as I was about to give up, we came across an old couple who had been to the top and were making their way back say, “You are almost there, you are closer than you think”. We felt so motivated at this point, that even through the agony, we pushed and reached the top of the mountain.
By having a negative outset, not seeing myself fit enough and being a prisoner of doubt caused me to almost give up and turn around. Through the confidence and motivation by both my partner and the old couple, I was encouraged to have an attitude of faith.

This brought me to an interesting analogy, that the brain is like a computer and the mind a program. When you have doubt and fear, one allows the mind (programs) to be infected with the “doubt virus”.
In business, when things become challenging and obstacles stand in our way, we often allow this “Doubt Virus” to seep in and make it our reality. Key to me reaching the top of the mountain was due to me reprogramming my mind and to think positively.
Through this experience I’ve realised that you have to believe in yourself in order to go higher in life and to rise above all obstacles.

By Justin Siljeur