In a world that idolizes results, we often lose sight of what matters most: the experience itself.
Seth Godin captures it perfectly: “Life is like skiing. Just like skiing, the goal is not to get to the bottom of the hill. It’s to have a bunch of good runs before the sun sets.”
The message is clear – it’s not about racing to the finish line but savoring each moment with intention and presence.
This mindset of focusing on the quality of our journey over the speed of our arrival holds particular value today. Shifting away from simply “achieving” to “experiencing” opens life up. It becomes less of a checklist and more of an exploration – a process that enriches us on a deeper level. Goals may guide us, but the journey builds our character, strengthens our resolve, and fills our lives with moments of joy, challenge, and connection.
At the heart of this philosophy are adaptability and resilience, two qualities that help us enjoy the journey for what it is – a series of unpredictable, often rewarding experiences. Life, like skiing, requires the flexibility to navigate twists and turns and the tenacity to get up when we stumble. By focusing on the experience rather than the end result, we begin to see challenges as part of the ride, and the entire journey takes on greater meaning.
In our professional lives, this perspective can create transformative cultural shifts. When teams prioritize learning over deadlines and value the richness of the journey, they cultivate environments of genuine engagement. Leaders who look beyond the immediate target recognize that the shared experience – each “run” taken together – strengthens a team far more than just reaching the bottom. They encourage exploration, growth, and even scenic detours that spark innovation.
This philosophy reaches beyond the workplace, reshaping our relationships, pursuits, and sense of purpose. Imagine a friendship not as a relationship to “maintain” but as a journey to experience, each moment deepening our connection. Or consider following a passion not as a “skill to master” but as a lifelong path of discovery, where every success and setback holds value.
How, then, do we live out this philosophy of savoring each run before the sun sets? It begins with intention. In each part of our day, we can ask, “Am I doing this just to get it done, or am I truly experiencing it?” This small shift can elevate even the most routine activities. When we see our days as opportunities to experience rather than merely achieve, meaning reveals itself in unexpected places.
Living this way also requires humility – the willingness to let go of rigid expectations and embrace what each moment brings, imperfections and all. Humility invites us to fully accept the experience and enjoy it for what it offers. Not every run will be perfect, but each one teaches us something, adding richness to our lives.
Life, as in skiing, isn’t a race to the bottom. When we approach our days with intention, flexibility, and humility, the journey itself becomes the reward. As the sun begins to dip on each of our days, it’s the quality of our runs that will stay with us – the laughter shared, the challenges met, the moments fully lived.
In the end, the art of the run lies not in how fast we reach the bottom but in how wholeheartedly we embrace the path.
Let’s make each journey one to remember.