The Resolute Manifesto

We focus alot on the Resolute mindset here because your mindset, attitude and engagement in what you are pursuing is critical to achieving you goals. So we have put together the RESOLUTE Manifesto. 11 steps for approaching a major project or ‘expedition’ as we call it here – and adopting a RESOLUTE mindset.

1) Choose your summit wisely

You cannot climb every mountain, so make sure the summit you’re pursuing calls to you personally. This may seem obvious but its more tricky than that. Often we choose paths dictated by others: parents’ expecations, your partners or peer group. These are other people’s peaks, not yours.

Ask yourself: “Would I still want to reach this summit if no one ever saw my flag at the top?” True endurance comes from pursuing peaks that resonate with your sense of purpose. As seasoned climbers know: passion plus preparation equals resolve – but the mountain must be calling you, not someone else’s.

Choosing the peak may be the hardest part of the expedition, it may expose your true passions that you have not fully shared with the wider world. You may want to build the best model railway set in the world but are embarassed by that, but don’t be – its your life and your peak not anyone else’s.

2) ASssess your equipment

Before beginning any ascent, experienced climbers study the landscape. Assess your personal
attributes— the strengths that will propel you forward and the weaknesses that might require extra equipment or training.

This isn’t about declaring certain peaks unclimbable, or deeming yourself unable to complete the climb it’s about preparing for the speci c challenges of your chosen route. Its about identifying your strengths and weakeness, being honest with yourself, to identify what needs work, what needs to be monitored and improved.

Don’t ignore this step or not be honest about yourself, as being overly optimistic and dismissing possible challenges, may lead to dangerous exposure when you’re halfway up the mountain face.

3) Establish your non-negotiable fundamentals

Every successful expedition relies on disciplined base camp routines. Establish daily or weekly practices that sustain you on the journey to higher altitudes.

These non-negotiable rituals—whether they involve physical training, mental preparation, or technical skill development—create the foundation for your resolute ascent. When conditions turn harsh, and the days get difficult, these routines become anchors that keep you grounded and ready for the next push upward.

The most formidable climbers are distinguished not by their occasional heroics but by their resolute commitment to these foundational practices.

4) Take one action every day

The summit is conquered through a series of deliberate steps, not a single bound. Each day, focus on gaining altitude through consistent movement—even when that means just a few feet higher than before. Mountaineers understand that steady progress, however modest, eventually overcomes
seemingly insurmountable walls. These incremental gains create a rhythm of advancement that ultimately makes the impossible accessible.

Each day should have, at minimum, one action on your project that takes you closer to the peak. This consistent and daily task will ensure the expedition remains fresh in your mind and help make consistent and constant progress even when life overwhelms you. Every step counts towards the summit.

As you lay out your expedition plan or strategy, ensure you include daily actions, albeit small actions, that you can take each day.

5) Keep your eye on the Summit

When the trail becomes tedious or technical sections demand complete focus, periodically lift your gaze to reconnect with the peak that called you upward.

This summit-vision provides context for your current challenges and renews determination when the immediate path o ers little reward. Keep your eye on the ultimate goal, will help you steer through difficult times when the path is less clear. The summit is your north star and is unwavering in its position – use it to guide you through the journey.

Regularly visualizing your destination calibrates your internal compass when the route becomes confusing.

6) Maintain a Resolute focus on the next step

While maintaining awareness of your ultimate destination, concentrate your immediate attention on the next move with resolute focus.

Avoid the paralyzing middle-view—that perspective where you’re neither inspired by the summit nor engaged with the immediate challenge. Every signi cant ascent consists of individual moves executed with full presence and unwavering commitment.

In difficult passages, narrow your focus to a simple question: “Where do I place my hand next?” This resolute attention to immediate action prevents the paralysis that comes from overthinking the entire route.

Its the middle ground that defeats the explorer as it overwhelms in its endless length. Focus on the next step and look to the summit and ignore everything in-between.

7) Find the silver linings

Even the most punishing expeditions o er moments of extraordinary wonder. Its looking at the sliver linings in each hard day, or tedious activity that will get you to the summit. The author and Arctic explorer, Adam Shoalts, explained that these sliver linings, like a morning sunrise, seeing a wolf on the lakeshore, helped keep him motivated as he canoed solo 4,000 km across the Arctic tundra.

Like Adam, explorers who find renewal in the crystal dawn after a frigid night, develop the habit of identifying transcendent moments within di cult passages. This isn’t blind optimism; it’s the practical recognition that inspiration fuels endurance. The climbers who summit aren’t those who never struggle—they’re those who  nd reasons to continue despite the struggle.

8) Track your altitude

Establish meaningful metrics to track your ascent. These might include distance covered, skills mastered, or other relevant markers of progress.

Regular readings help identify whether you’re gaining elevation as expected or need to adjust your route. Find strong metrics that will inform and not confuse you – these should be relevant, regular indicators – not too often or too long apart. They should be easily captured and reviewed to see trends and progress.

Measurement transforms blind determination into strategic climbing—allowing you to conserve energy for the routes that actually lead upward.

9) Find a Challenge buddy

No signi cant mountain is best climbed alone, the best climbers have someone they tie themselves to so they don’t fall o  the path. These are not going on the journey with you – its your peak afterall, but they hold the saftey ties to keep you on target.

Find expedition partners who share your resolute mindset—those who support your vision but aren’t emotionally invested enough to pull you back from necessary challenges. Family members often make poor climbing companions on your most demanding routes because their concern may prioritize your comfort over your summit.

Seek resolute partners who will spot your climbing errors, suggest better techniques, and speak truth when you’re heading toward dangerous terrain or call you out when you detour o  the path. Their steadfast presence reinforces your own resolute commitment when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Pick your partner carefully then decide how often and how (phone, face-to-face) you will meet. At the first meeting, set out the framework for their assistance, explain your goal and strategy and write down 3 or 4 key questions that they should ask you periodically. These are the questions that are fundenmental to the journey and which you are too scared to ask yourself.

10) Re-route or turn back when necessary

The most successful climbers recognize when a direct approach isn’t working. Sometimes reaching the summit requires an indirect route—moving laterally or even temporarily descending to and a more viable path upward.

Establish clear indicators that help distinguish between normal climbing challenges and genuinely
impassable terrain. Changing course doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning your summit—often it means ending a smarter approach to the same peak. It took the British Mount Everest expedition nine attempts to reach the Summit before Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary finally scaled the summit.

However, this is a hard decision to make. What is the difference between persistence and deciding the approach is not working? This is where your indicators come in to help you evaluate progress against the goal. While persistence may ultimately acheive the goal, it may exhaust your resources. Always be on the look out for possible different approaches that could help your get to the summit either quicker or more sustainably.

11) Take time to enjoy the view

The longest expeditions require moments to plant your  ag, take in the view, and acknowledge the territory you’ve claimed.

Deliberately celebrate significant waypoints on your journey—not just the final summit. These
celebrations aren’t mere indulgences; they’re essential resupply points that provide perspective and renewed energy.

The most successful mountaineers aren’t those who need the fewest rests—they’re those who most effectively replenish their determination through mindful acknowledgment of their progress.