Stories and Goals

February 17, 2009 by Taylor Studios in General

I just got back from a short ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The people I met made me think of our industry and the stories we bring to life. Riding a ski lift is a great opportunity to hear people’s stories. I met a guy that had written 200 humor books. Of course, he was a writer, what a great career. Another guy had just survived cancer by changing his diet, his activities and getting as many vertical ski feet in as possible. Moldova (near Romania) lost an awesome citizen to another pursuing the American Dream. This person had just come to the U.S. in the last year. I felt kinship, as my grandmother came over from Czechoslavakia (not sure if it was the Czech Republic or Slovakia as it is known today). She did live the American dream and what a story that is. I rode up on a gondola with a bunch of young snow boarders. The whole ride to the top they discussed their stock investments and how the market was doing at that moment by checking their IPhones. This did not fit my perception of young snow boarders. They jokingly told me they had to grow up, too. Of course, I also found a bunch of people that happened to have horses. One suggested I resolve my issues with my horse, Lexi, by consulting a horse communicator (people that can talk to horses). I’m not sure I’ll go that route, but it was an interesting conversation. Luckily our industry will never run out of stories to share and bring to life.

I am a goal setter. For this trip I achieved two goals. The first goal I had had for quite some time. I have wanted to see a Moose in the wild for years. I pursued this goal in Wyoming and Maine before and never achieved it. Unfortunately, it did not quite meet my grand expectations. On the bus ride back to town from the ski slopes we all spotted a moose in someone’s back yard. My vision of this goal was a bit different. I thought I would see a moose in a pristine natural environment in all its glory. You never know how you’ll achieve your goals. This one turned out to be more humorous than I expected.

The second goal was to make it to the top of Rendezvous Mountain and ski down. This mountain is at an elevation of 10,450′ and it is a 4,139′ vertical rise. The first day of skiing I looked up at this mountain in wonder. I talked to many other skiers and they suggested I just go up there for the view. On my second day of skiing I felt I had my legs under me and it was time to achieve my goal. I rode the 100 person tram to the top. The announcer said as we were to get off, “this is for expert skiers only, please ride the tram back down if you are not an expert skier.” I then became concerned. The view was spectacular. I went for it. My first turn was not good and I had fear to overcome. My next turns were great and I achieved my goal! Set those goals, you never know what you can do.

Advice from a Moose:

Think big

Spend time in the woods

Hold your head up high

Stay on track

It’s ok to be a little wild!