Just Focus on the Next Step

Last week, sixteen of us headed to the Albanian Alps for what turned out to be one of the most memorable adventures I’ve ever led.

On paper, it looked challenging enough. Long trekking days, steep climbs, rocky trails and plenty of ascent. Add in temperatures that seemed determined to remind us that shade is one of life’s greatest luxuries, and there were certainly moments when people were questioning what they had signed up for.

There were river crossings, exposed sections of trail, unfamiliar food, language barriers and enough uphill walking to make my legs scream! Some people were worried about the distance. Others were nervous about the heights. A few were carrying doubts about whether they were fit enough, strong enough or capable enough to complete the challenge. And yet every single person did.

As I reflected on the week afterwards, I realised that nobody completed the trip by focusing on the finish line. Nobody stood at the bottom of a mountain, looked all the way to the summit and somehow found the energy to tackle the entire climb in one go. Instead, we all just focused on the next step. Then the next one. And then the one after that.

It sounds almost ridiculously simple, but I think there is a lesson in that which applies far beyond the mountains. So often in life we look at the whole challenge rather than the next action. We look at the size of the project, the scale of the problem or the distance still left to travel and convince ourselves that it is too much. The mountain feels overwhelming because we’re trying to climb it all at once.

Whether it’s changing careers, starting a business, getting fitter, recovering from a difficult period in life or working towards a long-term goal, we can become paralysed by the enormity of what lies ahead.

I’ve certainly been guilty of it myself. There have been times when I’ve looked at a challenge and wondered how on earth I was going to make it happen. Sometimes in business. Sometimes in my personal life. Sometimes standing on a trail looking at yet another uphill section disappearing into the distance.

The funny thing is that whenever I eventually reach the destination, it never happens because I suddenly become more capable overnight. It happens because I keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Watching the group in Albania reminded me of that lesson over and over again. There were moments when people were tired. Moments when people were uncomfortable. Moments when it would have been easy to focus on how far there was still to go.

Instead, they concentrated on what was directly in front of them. And before we knew it, we had achieved something we weren’t entirely sure was possible.

I think we often underestimate what we can achieve when we stop worrying about the whole staircase and simply focus on the next step.

The truth is that very few people have the entire route mapped out. Most of us are making it up as we go along. We learn. We adapt. We make mistakes. We change direction. We keep moving.

That applies whether you’re crossing the Albanian Alps, training for a challenge, building a business or simply navigating everyday life.

So if you’re facing something that feels overwhelming right now, perhaps don’t look at the whole mountain.

Just focus on the next step.

It might not seem like much in the moment, but enough next steps taken consistently can carry you further than you ever imagined.

What’s Inside This Week’s Newsletter?

In short…

• Adventure Geek Radio continues to grow, with over 200 downloads and bonus interviews from members, guides and wellbeing experts.
• Exciting news about the Isle of Arran adventure for 2027, with strong interest already building.
• Introducing “Plan B” – our new Coffee, Cake & Chat meet-ups when walks have to be cancelled.
• A community mapping project in Blisworth to help create a new downloadable local walk.
• Celebrating members’ achievements, including a skydive, an ultra-marathon along Hadrian’s Wall and everyone who completed the Albanian trip.
• A review of The Way meditation app following a recommendation from Maxine.
• Next week’s walks, socials and wellbeing events.
• Featured Trip: Hadrian’s Wall Self-Guided Walking Holiday.
• The latest Step Challenge update as members aim to break another monthly mileage record.
• Smile of the Week from the Albanian Alps.
• A look behind the scenes of our recent Assynt adventure in Scotland.

That’s it for this week’s update.

I hope you’ve enjoyed having a little peek into what’s been happening across the Adventure Geek community.

Wherever your adventures take you this week, I hope you find some fresh air, good company and a reason to smile.

See you on the trails.

Julia x