Climbing the Volcano Pico de Orizaba via Cara Sur | Citlaltépetl | Puebla | Mexico

Being specific in defining one's intentions, behaviors, or goals is among the 28 core virtues of Pure Love World Life Coaching. It generates well-being if we align it with a virtuous intention.

Being specific in relation to our goals takes root in being committed, which in turn takes root in habitually succeeding in doing what we intend to do. In Episode 3, we learned that doing what we intend to do produces well-being. Being specific is the tool that strengthens commitment and our ability to do what we intend to do.

The plan: The goal was to summit the volcano Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépetl) — Mexico's highest peak and the third highest mountain in North America at 5,636 meters — twice in two consecutive days. The first ascent on Saturday, the second on Sunday. The objective was to prove that when we truly want something and define it with absolute specificity, we are capable of achieving it — even twice.

The Route: Starting from the parking area near the Sierra Negra volcano, we followed the Cara Sur route up the south face of Pico de Orizaba, passing the Refugio Fausto González Gomar at 4,700 meters, continuing to the summit of Mexico's highest peak at 5,636 meters — the third highest mountain in North America.

The Challenge: For over two hours from the Refugio Fausto González Gomar, the summit of Pico de Orizaba is visible the entire way — yet the impression is that you never get any closer.

When we are specific in relation to our intentions, behaviors, or goals, we keep their parameters rigid and fixed. This offers no room for vagueness and gives us no permission to deviate and quit.

As a result, it compels us to face our intentions, behaviors, and goals head-on, regardless of the challenges that arise in the process of their achievement. What are the consequences of this process? We follow through on our commitments. And that in turn produces well-being.

Climbing Pico de Orizaba via Cara Sur Twice in 2 Consecutive Days — The Challenge

On the other hand, being vague in relation to our intentions, behaviors, or goals increases our likelihood to fail because we give ourselves permission to deviate and quit as we wish in the process of their achievement. Being vague is a way of providing ourselves with an escape hatch to allow us to quit when we realize that our intentions are too difficult to follow through on. To allow us to quit when our behaviors are too difficult to sustain. And to give us permission to quit when we realize our goals are too difficult to achieve.

This escape hatch serves the purpose of leaving room for perfect excuses to justify our lack of commitment in order to prevent us from looking bad to ourselves and others.

Feeling better episode 6 – Being specific in relation to our intentions, behaviors, or goals produces Well-Being

Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl Seen on the Distant Horizon from Pico de Orizaba, Puebla, Mexico

Airplane-Like View from the rim of the Crater of Pico de Orizaba, Puebla, Mexico

The summit of the volcano Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépetl), Puebla, Mexico

Sunrise and Full Moon at Pico de Orizaba Cara Sur, Puebla, Mexico, Mexico

Facing the volcano Pico de Orizaba Cara Sur, Puebla, Mexico

To understand what it means to be specific or vague, let us look at two practical examples. If our goal is to reduce coffee consumption, being vague is saying "I want to drink 2 cups per day." Being specific is saying "I will drink 2 cups of 200ml per day, before noon."

If our goal is to be more ethical, being vague is saying "I want to be more ethical every day." Being specific is saying "I will work daily on aligning my actions with healthy behaviors such as honesty, transparency, straightforwardness, and genuine kindness."

Climbing the volcano Pico de Orizaba Cara Sur, Puebla, Mexico

The surprise: When we truly commit to something with absolute specificity, we become capable of far more than we imagined. The proof was climbing Pico de Orizaba twice in two consecutive days. As the clouds began closing in fast on the second ascent, the specific goal of reaching the summit before losing the view pushed the pace beyond what seemed possible.

And from the summit, a breathtaking reward: on the distant horizon, the stratovolcanoes Matlalcuéyatl — also known as La Malinche — the active volcano Popocatépetl, and its twin Iztaccíhuatl, connected by the Paso de Cortés, were all visible, rising above the clouds as part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.

Airplane-Like View from the volcano Pico de Orizaba, Puebla, Mexico