Hiking the mountains of Sapa
I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors and the connection it provides between myself and creation. As someone who also loves movement, I’ve been fortunate to experience some substantial hikes over the years. The most intense ones were in northern Montana and northern Vietnam. Each time, I was led by a guide who was familiar with the lay of the land, the necessary elements of survival, and information about what was needed to succeed.
This was especially true of my time in Vietnam.
Our guide was a tiny but mighty woman of the Black H’Mong people group named Xu (“Sue”). Xu had a stunning smile and became very dear to us. We did a 4 day trek with fancy gear, lightweight + moisture-wicking clothing, and sturdy boots. She wore layers of beautifully embroidered traditional heavy clothing and, at times, sandals. Let’s just say Xu put us to shame going up and down the steep mountainsides of Sapa. She knew every inch of our remote trail, so we never got lost.
Our lives were in her hands, and she led us through an unforgettable and unique adventure.
My hiking experience has taught me that you need to know both where you are and where you want to go before you can start any real journey. However, just as important is having the proper resources – like a compass, map, or guide – to help you get there.
Do you know where you’re going?
Many of our clients come to us feeling lost. Confused, Overwhelmed. It’s as if they’ve come to a fork in the road, and they’re unsure of which path to take next.
Maybe they feel stuck in their current job or even a bit panicked because they’ve recently been laid off. Maybe they’re entering college or considering grad school but are unsure of which degree to pursue. Sometimes they have a general idea of where they want to go, but the directions for getting there are muddled and unclear.
Other times, they’re just staring at the map and all of its possibilities with no clue what to do.
Through the use of assessments, tools, and exercises, we help our clients reorient themselves to where they are and discover where they want to go by helping them grow in understanding and confidence of who they are. That knowledge of self becomes their compass. It serves as a trustworthy guide that directs them along their journey.
Following your internal compass
When we operate out of our true identity and calling, the way we approach things changes. Having a deep understanding of who we are gives us confidence to make the call, apply for the job, nail the interview, and take a risk.
Or on the flip side…
The rejection letter becomes more about that role not being the right fit for both sides, rather than you not being enough. The difficult job you’ve been stuck in has shown you what you don’t want to do and has instilled a perspective of gratitude that you will bring into your next role. The time you got laid off actually opened you up to a new opportunity that you never would’ve taken without that uncomfortable push.
Our internal guide helps us know we are on the right path, even in the midst of life’s challenges.
This type of mindset shift doesn’t happen overnight. Understanding and operating out of our true selves is a process and a practice. And we’d love to come alongside you in that process. At the Know You Project, we believe investing the time, energy, and resources to pursue career counseling is worth it because we know that it’s about way more than finding a job.
It’s about equipping clients with tools they will use for the rest of their lives.
As we move through life, there will be times when we get off the path. There will also be times when our destination isn’t exactly clear. And that’s okay. But if we are guided by the compass of knowing who we are, then we have what we need to find our way.
We strive to equip clients with the knowledge, support, and customized tools needed to gain forward momentum. 
