For the past two years many of us have had our routines disrupted. With travel grinding to a halt, working from home, and uncertainty around restrictions, it was hard not to become mired in our routines. While routine isn’t necessarily a bad thing, too much routine can prevent us from reaching short- and long-term goals. As someone who manages a team, I know how important it is to keep everyone motivated to avoid career stagnancy. A recent excursion to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro taught me a number of leadership lessons to motivate teams — and ourselves — to take concrete steps to fulfill our professional goals.

In 2021, I read an article about the impact COVID had on tourism in Africa, particularly Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro. As a way to incentivize more tourism, the Tanzanian government was exploring the idea of installing a tram on Mount Kilimanjaro. The tram proposal combined with the snow fields receding at an alarming rate made me think that the mountain, as we know it, wouldn’t be around much longer. However, while COVID had impacted the number of visitors to Tanzania and the livelihoods of the guides, porters, and villages that heavily depend on tourism, it also contributed to positive outcomes. With less traffic came less garbage on the mountain and more animals returned to their natural habitat.

Given what I learned and the fact that Tanzania was one of the few countries open to Americans, I committed to climb Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet) in September 2021. I didn’t know what to expect on the mountain, but the lessons I came away with not only apply to my personal life, but also to my career and how I lead. Here are my three key mountain takeaways that serve as excellent reminders about setting goals and working together to accomplish them — regardless of tenure or title.

Preparation is Key

Gearing up for a climb of that magnitude — and that altitude — required a ton of preparation. Before departure I received a gear list of things I needed to purchase to make sure I was warm, safe and ready to tackle the mountain. I physically had to train and prepare, particularly as the altitude would affect my ability to move as quickly or freely as normal. In addition, mental fortitude was key. It wasn’t an easy climb, and mental tenacity was essential to reaching the summit. I also had to prepare for the unexpected (i.e., setbacks). Altitude and physical exertion can take its toll, so I had to find the balance between challenging myself and knowing my limits.

Just like the climb, setting and reaching goals takes immense preparation. When people make lists of steps to take and put in the mental and physical work, they’re 42 percent more likely to reach goals. However, it’s also important to know when to adjust or course correct. A good leader will help teams recognize when it’s time to make changes that will positively affect outcomes.

There’s No “I” in Team

Anyone who has played a team sport has heard the adage “there’s no I in team.” The same is true for a Kilimanjaro climb. It takes a village to get up the mountain, and every climber is backed by an extensive, behind-the-scenes support staff or porters, guides, cooks and more. The climbing companies are run just like any other business, with every participant playing an important role in collective success.

For every career goal that’s accomplished, there’s a network of people that contribute to an individual’s success. From family members who lend support to teammates who offer encouragement, or even a manager who knows how to motivate and excite, it’s important to have the right support system in place. Those who try to accomplish goals alone are more likely to fail, yet employees who are encouraged to work in teams deliver 19 percent higher sales and see a 7 percent increase in customer engagement.

It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination

It’s easy to be laser-focused on an end goal. In the case of the climb, that goal was to reach the summit. While the peak was certainly spectacular, the cumulative seven-day journey was absolutely the best part. I had the chance to stop and enjoy the sites and celebrate big and small accomplishments along the way. Every morning I set daily goals, visualized what a “win” would look like for the day, and took time to reflect on each day’s journey.

Accomplishing career goals requires a similar mindset. While we can’t lose sight of the ultimate goal, we need to embrace the journey and remind ourselves of the small wins along the way — those are what will keep us motivated when the end goal feels impossible or far away.

Overall, the trip was a success, and that success was made possible by coaches, teammates, preparation, a positive attitude, and a commitment to enjoying the journey no matter what it held. By applying these principles to work, we can better equip our teams and ourselves to set and accomplish goals. What’s your Kilimanjaro for 2022?