Alex Honnold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh6G4vYqwi4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Vy1E1UoD4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izmU-falLFw

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1J8zxteqqw/

论如何在高楼上保持平常心。

Before I begin, I want to be clear: I am not encouraging solo climbing, especially free solo climbing, which is extremely dangerous and should not be imitated. However, beyond the physical act itself, this gesture brings powerful messages that are meaningful in everyday life. When I look at free solo climbing, especially Alex Honnold’s achievements, I realize that climbing isn’t just about physical strength. It’s about mindset. Recently, Honnold climbed Taipei 101, and while that is an incredible physical achievement, what inspires me even more is the message behind it.

First, stepping into unfamiliar challenges (incl. public speanking)

Facing something new or uncertain often feels like climbing a tall building. Whether it’s starting a new job, taking responsibility, sharing your ideas, or making an important decision, there is always the fear of being judged or failing. You worry that you might make mistakes, disappoint others, or discover that you’re not ready. That fear comes from inside, just like looking down from a great height. The only way to overcome it is through experience and exposure. Instead of avoiding challenges or letting others decide for you, you have to step forward yourself. The more you face uncertainty, the more natural it becomes.

Second, smiling while climbing.

In daily life, we all face pressure—tight deadlines, heavy workloads, constant expectations. A deadline can feel just like the height of a building: intimidating and overwhelming. But rushing only increases stress and mistakes. Like a climber, you need to slow down, focus on each small step, and stay calm. When you approach challenges with composure—even a smile—you work more effectively, and that’s what ultimately leads to success.

Third, knowing your goal while facing others.

Whether you’re working with a team, dealing with expectations, or navigating relationships, it’s important to understand both others and yourself. You should communicate clearly and respectfully, but you shouldn’t live only to meet external expectations. Stay clear about what you want to achieve, focus on your own path, and move forward with confidence.

Fourth, embracing boredom and practiced moves.

In climbing, the safest move is often the most boring one. It’s the move you’ve practiced a hundred times, the movement your body already understands. If a climber isn’t familiar with a move, attempting something flashy or “impressive” increases risk dramatically. Confidence doesn’t come from creativity in the moment—it comes from repetition. So when the situation is uncertain, the right choice is rarely a spectacular move; it’s a reliable one.

Risk-taking still matters, but meaningful risk is calculated risk. It’s taken with awareness, preparation, and respect for consequences. Progress isn’t about being bold for the sake of being bold; it’s about knowing when to stretch and when to stay grounded. Sometimes, the boring path is the smartest way forward—and the one that gets you safely to the top.

Fifth, preparation turns risk into control.

What looks like a risky move from the outside is rarely improvised. In free solo climbing, every “dangerous” sequence has usually been rehearsed countless times on a rope, studied from the ground, and mentally simulated over and over again. By the time the climber commits, the move is no longer unknown—it’s familiar. The risk doesn’t disappear, but it becomes manageable because it is understood.

This applies directly to life. When we speak in public, make hard decisions, or take on responsibilities, the moments that feel most exposed are often the ones we’ve already prepared for—through practice, reflection, and repetition. Confidence isn’t spontaneous courage; it’s earned through preparation. When you’ve trained enough, you don’t rely on impulse or luck. You rely on what you already know how to do.

Preparedness doesn’t eliminate fear, but it gives you something solid to stand on when fear appears. It allows you to act calmly instead of react emotionally. In that sense, preparation is not the opposite of risk—it’s what makes meaningful risk possible.

In the end, climbing—whether on a wall, a building, or through life itself—is not about eliminating fear. It’s about learning to move forward despite it. One step at a time, with clarity, calmness, and belief in yourself.