Job Search Lessons From Machu Picchu
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 21, 2022
- 3 min read
Written by: Michelle Schafer, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In early May, I returned home to Ottawa, Canada after 17 glorious days in Peru. It was the trip of a lifetime ‒ and one that was on hold for the past 2 years. There were so many experiences to savour ‒ one of them was a 4-day hike on the Inca Trail to visit Machu Picchu (a bucket-list item for many ‒ myself included!) As an avid hiker, this pilgrimage has been on my list for quite some time. And even though I felt as prepared as I could be, it was not easy. In fact, it was brutally hard. The hardest thing I've done in life (even harder than my Kilimanjaro climb 20 years earlier, and natural childbirth times two :))
There were many lessons on this climb ‒ a number of these can be directly applied to job seeking (yes, looking for work and Machu Picchu have a few things in common!):
It's hard, then easy, then hard again: On the Inca trail, an ascent over steep stone stairs can taper off to a flatter segment (easier on the heart!) then ramp up again with a 3-hour descent over uneven rock stairs (sometimes slippery) peppered with more flat segments. As with engaging in a job search, there are moments where you feel beaten down, discouraged and overwhelmed. And then there are times where it doesn't seem as hard, and you feel encouraged and light again, ready to continue.
Accept random acts of kindness from strangers: One particularly hard day, two women from another tour group passed me on the trail. One of them asked me "how are you doing?", and I started to cry from the sheer exhaustion, frustration and lack of confidence trying to get through a very long downhill segment on slippery stones. When she asked "would it be okay to walk with you for a little bit?", I accepted. It was a game-changer for me and got me out of a dark place in my mind. If you are looking for work and people offer to help, take them up on it. It could be a game-changer for you, too.
Be patient and wait for the clouds to part: When we arrived at Sun Gate (you can see Machu Picchu down below on a clear day), the Inca city was shrouded in clouds. Our guide encouraged us to wait. Sure enough, within 15 minutes, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and we could see Machu Picchu in all its glory. In your job search there may be dark days. It won't be your forever place. Be patient ‒ the sun will come out soon enough. And one last lesson: there is a reward at the end of the journey. Seeing Machu Picchu was something I've dreamed about ‒ and after all your hard and persistent work looking for a job, the reward will come for you too, in the form of work that gives you energy for a company that believes that same things you believe in.
Keep going. You will get there. One step at a time.
Michelle Schafer, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michelle Schafer is an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach and Facilitator, specializing in career transition and leadership. She is the owner and founder of Michelle Schafer Coaching, empowering people to achieve career fulfillment. Michelle has personally experienced two significant career transitions through restructuring and has reinvented herself for new careers both times. She deeply understands the physical, emotional and mental impact associated with a job search. Michelle is passionate about people and inspired by their progress, working with clients at all levels of an organization and across sectors including federal and municipal government, high tech, not-for-profit and financial services. Michelle offers coaching 1:1, in groups and recently was certified in the foundations of team coaching with the Global Team Coaching Institute.
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