Location: Mesa Verde, Colorado
I visited cliff dwellings from 800 years ago built by the Ancient Pueblo peoples who inhabited the extraordinarily high and treacherous locations from 1190 to 1300 CE across a 10,000 mile region throughout the Southwestern United States. Born from subterranean environments starting in 600 CE, treasuring mud layering and richness of the ground, the Ancient Puebloans pivoted drastically to living in cliff dwellings situated in natural sandstone crevices created by the ancient sea bed in North America.
Cliff Palace is just one of the many examples of cliff dwellings leveraging the space, height and protection of the natural surroundings.
Photo of Cliff Palace © by Joanne Markow
What Can We Learn?
The Hopi tribe is one of the 21 tribes descending from the Ancient Puebloans, so we're fortunate to benefit from their wisdom and knowledge still today. Here are just six examples of lessons that can help you with your team and your career.
"People without faith in themselves cannot survive"―Hopi Tribe
The Balcony House cliff dwelling has a 35 ft ladder for climbing into the dwelling [read more here]. If you too are on a 35 ft. ladder, decide if it's time to keep climbing, get off, or find a different climb. Your journey matters so you decide how to move. Does your career ladder feel too short, too limiting? Maybe you need to design your own handholds and go your own way. Trust yourself, your strength, and where you're trying to go. Lean on the people, infrastructure and solutions to get you there. A career coach can help if you feel stuck. Most importantly, believe you bring value and keep moving to find the right opportunity.
"Time isn't used, it's experienced"―Hopi Tribe
There is no set amount of time for students or employees to develop. Take advantage of every minute of every day and carve your own career journey by learning, growing and taking on challenges. Life is about opportunity, about being present and in the moment each day. It's not about the ladder rung you're on, but the momentum you're building with each step you take.
"You must live your life from beginning to end: No one else can do it for you"―Hopi Tribe
Take responsibility and more will be given to you. Your career is about your contributions, your value to an greater cause and the relationships you build along the way to help you serve your teams, clients and organization. Your personal brand stems from how you live your life. And your life is woven together from multiple experiences in jobs so don't worry if you're first job isn't the dream goal.
"One finger cannot lift a pebble"―Hopi Tribe
Pool your resources, your own initiatives to build your career. Think about your own talents, people, or tools surrounding you. Don't go it alone but recognize that in the process of building, many hands are helping you, particularly as you climb. Collaboration, cooperation and compromising at times will get you there as much as your own determination, drive, and will. These are key traits for future leadership.
The rain falls on the just and the unjust"―Hopi Tribe
Sometimes you may feel a victim of a merger or acquisition or downturn in the economy. You're not alone. Regional or global causes and effects, including global market trends or changes in industries, happen as businesses or economies evolve. Whether you're a top performer or not, these variables impact everyone the same. You'll want to develop a source of inspiration from within that keeps you going despite the swirling change around you. With change, comes opportunity.
"We are the ones we have been waiting for"―Hopi Tribe
The power of YOU. Seize the moment today for you, your team, your company and your dreams. Whether you're an entrepreneur or manager or employee, you hold the power to make a difference in the market, in the organization, and in the world. Don't wait to be told what to do or think someone else has the answer. You are the answer to your own destiny as you climb, descend and travel.
What will your hand print be on your career journey?
Photo of Petroglyph Point at Mesa Verde © by Joanne Markow
