HALEAKALA, Evolution in One’s Career and Life

HALEAKALA is a volcano on the island of Maui in Hawaii.  It sits majestically on the island rising over 10,000 feet above sea level.   Like the volcanoes that formed the other Hawaiian Islands, this was the volcano that formed Maui.  While many know it as a volcano, it has tremendous symbolism and represents the evolution of many of our lives and careers.   This is the story I learned many years ago and it has resonated throughout my career and life.  Picture this,

1.      The seabed, bottom of the sea. 

For those who enjoy swimming in the sea, we know that the bottom of the sea is calm and tranquil.   Currents, which can be very strong are nearer to the surface.  When learning to swim, we avoid the waves by diving to the bottom of the wave.   The seabed, with its calm and tranquility, represents our birth.  When you are born, everything is calm and quiet because you are a baby and your parents are looking after you, caring for you, feeding you, clothing you, etc.   It is a very peaceful time in your life.  You cry because that is the only way you know how to communicate, to indicate you are hungry, uncomfortable, cold, hot, etc.  When you cry, someone is always there to soothe you.

2.      Turbulence.  

From the seabed, you work your way to the surface and the beach.  This represents growing up as a child and teenager.  As you traverse from deeper waters to shallower waters, you feel the increasing turbulence from the currents.   Waves form as the waters become shallower.    Getting closer to the beach and the surface, the turbulence gets stronger and stronger.   Around the age of 3, you begin to go to daycare, nursery school, pre-school, then to elementary, middle school, and ultimately high school.  During those years, you experience so many changes at home, at school, with family and friends.   These are turbulent times, anticipation, expectations, disappointments, encouragements, positive and negative results.    All this time, while turbulent, you are still under the care of your parents and not having to worry about being housed, fed, and clothed.  You embrace and accept the changes as a part of “maturing and growing up.”

3.      On the beach, reaching the shore. 

Your journey from the bottom of the sea continues and you finally approach the beach and the surface of the sea.   Anyone who has been to the beach knows that this is where the waves are strongest, and their strength is emphasized as the waves pound on the beach.  This represents the time when you are 18 and graduate from high school.   This stage is truly turbulent, full of decisions that you must make at this time, with guidance from your parents and peers but nonetheless your decisions.   You are alone and responsible.   These are decisions that are important to your next phase of life, such as going to college, leaving home, becoming independent, being self-sufficient, finding a job, making money to survive, and no longer relying on parents.  So much to think about and so many uncertainties ahead.  Like the waves pounding on the shore, it is a tumultuous time in your life.  

4.      Haleakala, the mountain in front of you.  

As you experience all the difficulties and challenges of climbing out of the sea and making life decisions, you see this huge mountain in front of you.   It is awesome and frightening, yet inspirational.  This is what is ahead, your professional career and personal life.  How do I climb this mountain?  It is so high, with so many obstacles, and can be treacherous.   What happens if I fall off on the way up?  Climbing to the top seems to be such a tremendous task, how do I know if I will succeed?  It is a different type of turbulence from the waves and currents in the sea.     If I got to the top, I would have succeeded but if I fell, I would have failed.  Life and your career are full of questions like these.   There is no easy way to climb this mountain, just one step at a time.   Develop skills along the way up, train yourself, and practice with each step to make progress.  Train and train, practice, and practice some more.  Where have you heard this before?

5.      Getting to the top.  

Life is a journey, learning is a journey, and your career is a journey.   We improve every day with every step.  You are determined to get to the top and dedicate time and effort to get to the top.  The climb is a struggle, accept it and keep moving forward.   If you stumble, you do not give up.  Dust yourself off and continue the journey.  

6.      At the Top.  

If we continue to push forward, we all reach our desired  “top” of Haleakala at some point in our careers and lives.   However, remember that the top of the mountain can be very lonely if you are there by yourself.   Bring your colleagues with you on this journey and help them with the challenges of the climb.  That way, when you get to the top, they are with you and you have lots of company to share in the success.