In this BIT: An interview Bonita Norris, a mountaineer and one of the youngest women to climb Mount Everest.
One of the world’s leading female motivational speakers, Bonita Norris has a unique story: she became the youngest person to reach both the North Pole and climb Mount Everest! As a passionate mountaineer, Bonita didn’t just climb Mount Everest – she climbed it at the age of 22, with only two years of climbing experience under her belt. Today, as a speaker and author, Bonita utilizes the lessons she learned from her years of climbing (in some of the world’s hardest environments), to help teams (and people of all ages) summit both business and personal challenges (their own ‘Everest’). Further, Bonita walks us through how to build a Mountaineers Mindset of collaboration and relentless determination.
Climbing Mount Everest, surviving the dead zone, and delving into mountaineering with little experience. All of these feats require acts of intense determination, courage, and perseverance. How can we all be more perseverant – whether in fitness, goals, finding happiness and meaning, or other efforts of delayed gratification? Below are Bonita’s tips!
Bonita’s first principle is simple: the moment you are in is not what defines you. Rather, your perseverance and grit is defined by your ability to see the bigger picture. You may be in a tough moment, experiencing an overwhelming emotion or gripping feeling. “Set it aside,” Bonita advises. Instead, notice how far you’ve come. Then, clearly identify where you want to go. By seeing ourselves beyond the pressure of the moment, we’re able to clearly see where we need to go, and push through (persevere) through difficult moments.
This hack is simple yet deeply effective! Once you identify a goal, set a deadline. In being perseverant through a goal, a deadline keeps your eyes looking ahead, rather than drowning in challenges or stagnancy. Remain rigid on your vision, flexible on your execution.
Bonita writes her goals down in a diary, committing herself to them. By verbalizing your goal and putting this goal out into the world – telling someone else or writing it down for yourself – you become accountable to see it through. It is much harder to quit something once you’ve promised that you will achieve it. Even more, the key to committing yourself is to keep things vague, so you can achieve your goals without being tied to a strict plan. For instance, write down that I will climb Mount Everest rather than swearing that This year I’ll reach the summit of Mount Everest. Or, tell your friend that I’m going to read five new books rather than, I’m going to read for two hours each day until I complete five new books. The end goal is in sight, but the path can shift. Such personal and interpersonal accountability truly acts as a source of motivation.
As a record-setting mountaineer and inspiring motivational speaker, Bonita Norris’ interview and story is unforgettable. We hope that these tips for boosting your perseverance bring you a Small Bit of Happiness
Listen to Bonita’s full episode here.
Find Bonita here:
Instagram: @bonitanorris
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