The Pole Method

To me, the Pole is everything that makes me move. You also carry it inside of yourself and it’s up to you to discover what it is. What is the Pole? It is a representation of your ultimate goal, your biggest dream. How do you discover what it is? It is something you would be willing to make sacrifices for. You are aware that it will take time to obtain it and some time getting to know yourself better, but you know it will be worth it.

When dreaming of something, think of a step-by-step roadmap and how to get there. And then go for it! Now think about your goal/dream and start creating your roadmap. Write down all the stages you will have to go through in order to achieve your goal. What kind of skills will you need? What possible challenges await you on your path? What are the important things to keep in mind? Start with very small steps – they will reveal the way to you. Don’t impose any limits. Don’t be afraid to dream big. Big dreams fuel your imagination and motivation. Inspiration: Polar expedition with Jan Mela, 2004

The more knowledge you have about the world and its splendour, the easier and safer it is to navigate it. For your roadmap to work, it is important to have the correct information about the reality you wish to explore, the challenges you will have to overcome and the already-existing solutions to those challenges. Do your research on-line, read books and talk to people, who have already achieved goals that are similar to yours. Be open to the world and the people around you. Inspiration: The Vistula Expedition, 2010

The world is full of possibilities if we you ready and willing to overcome some obstacles along the way. To achieve new goals, one must face and address various limitations  first– both external and internal. Social norms, customs, limiting beliefs and what others think of you are some of the barriers you encounter. So to break the mould and persevere no matter what takes a lot of courage. Inspiration: solo expedition to the South Pole, 1995

There are different paths to get to know yourself. What works for others may not work for you. Following your inner voice might be a good starting point. Once you have gathered enough information about your goal, considered all the possible challenges and obtained some expertise from others, you can now begin visualising your journey. It is simply done by planning out every step and every day including any likely obstacles and how you can overcome them. The more questions arise, the better. Inspiration: Journey across the Gibson Desert, 1998

Giving something a try is more important than reaching the goal itself. Even if you fail, you can still say: ‘At least I tried.’ The goal is important only to get you started on your journey. But the actual journey is the most important part, not the goal itself. And when expectations don’t meet reality, it’s up to you to be flexible enough to change the course and modify your plans accordingly in order to carry on. Inspiration: Circumnavigating the Atlantic Ocean, 1998 & 2000

Nothing matters more than your journey and the things you learn about yourself, the world and others along the way. You can’t reach the North or South Pole using your physical strenght alone – you have to really train your mind, too. It is important to be at peace with yourself and all that happens around you in order to keep the momentum and face any possible challenges with courage. It has to be paired with a steady pace to preserve precious energy. Inspiration: Expedition to Greenland, 1993

You learn more from failure than from success. Don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character. You may not reach your goal at your first attempt, but it’s important to keep in mind that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success. If you own up to your failures, that’s how you learn and earn respect and move forward. Inspiration: Traversing Antarctica, 1996-7 (‘My Poles’, pg. 311-386)

Don’t spend your life doing the same things over and over again. Do something interesting and fun instead. And don’t quit too early. The North Pole is a magical place but once you get there, you can’t stay there forever. Reaching even the most ambitious of goals is not the end of your journey, but merely a beginning. Inspiration: Journey to the Third Pole along the El Camino trail, 2015  

Be yourself instead of copying others – you have the freedom  to explore new paths and possibilities. Now it’s time to pause for a moment and bring your thoughts back to when you first set your goal. Did you believe you can make it? What were the highlights of your journey that made it a success (or failure)? What have your learnt along the way? Who were the people that supported you? Did you manage to get to know yourself better? Feel free to return to the first step now and ask yourself: “What is my next goal? What is my next Pole?’ Inspiration: Journey to the Third Pole