Doing the Thing Right or Doing the Right Thing?

After rescuing a stricken climber on Everest, Gelje Sherpa said, "money can be earned any time."

Adventurers pay over $50,000 for the privilege of trying to climb Mount Everest...or die trying. Sherpa guides receive a pittance for the responsibility of helping.

May is the month that offers the best chance of summiting, although deaths occur regularly during the climb.

Mr. Sherpa found a Malaysian climber near death in the 'death zone' of cold and low oxygen several thousand feet from the top and became the principal rescuer.

Few are called to make life or death decisions and even fewer have the physical and moral strength to do so. Professor Adam Grant describes givers, matchers, and takers on life's journey in his book "Give and Take." Givers make others better yet often prosper by doing 'the right thing' over doing things the right way.

As a student-athlete, you face choices to mentor and lead teammates or leave them behind. The Navy SEALs have a saying, "two is one and one is none." It means both work together and have a backup plan. Remember that "mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence." 

Work out with a teammate and two people improve. Challenge them to improve and improve both yourself and the team. 

Lagniappe. Excellent video on the subtle art of directional spiking.