As an avid canyoneer who is constantly pushing my physical and mental limits in the world’s most treacherous slot canyons, I’ve developed a mindset that also helps me overcome obstacles in business.

Through my experiences rappelling down waterfalls, stemming up narrow cracks, and traversing slippery chutes, I’ve learned how to assess risks, problem-solve on the fly, and push through fear and uncertainty.

These skills directly translate to navigating the challenges I face as an entrepreneur and affiliate marketer with Cherrington Media.

Analyzing the Terrain and Planning the Descent with Adam Cherrington

When I arrive at the top of a new canyon I’ve never descended before, I always thoroughly scout the terrain first.

As an affiliate marketer, I have learned to assess competitive and challenging landscapes in business with a careful eye before rushing into action.

Approaching a new vertical in the affiliate marketing world is not too different from staring down into an unfamiliar canyon. In both situations, I methodically analyze what “hazards” may lie ahead.

During my canyon scouting, I look for solid natural anchors to set up rappels, scan for areas that might be prone to dangerous flash flooding, and identify potential spots that could leave us stuck or lost.

I create a flexible plan of attack in my mind, knowing I’ll likely have to adapt my route as needed when new challenges arise on the descent.

This is the exact same mindset I tap into when launching a new affiliate marketing campaign or online business in my Cherrington Media ventures.

I thoroughly research the competition and look for “anchors” in the market or ways I can differentiate my offering or approach.

I try to pinpoint any major hazards ahead of time, from lack of consumer demand to issues driving paid traffic at scale. Of course, things never go 100% according to plan, but having an initial strategy based on careful analysis has helped me tremendously over the years.

Stemming Between Walls to Overcome Tight Squeezes with Adam Cherrington

One of the most adrenaline-pumping parts of canyoneering is encountering very narrow passages between tall canyon walls.

Often times the only way forward is to fully press your back, palms, knees, and feet against the walls in an awkward sideways stance, then inch your way up the canyon for 20-30 feet while the walls feel like they are closing in.

This intense technique is called “stemming” and it’s a non-negotiable skill that every canyoneer must master, or you simply don’t make it through.

In business, I often feel metaphorically squeezed between various barriers on the journey to success – lack of time, capital, or knowledge.

But over my years as an entrepreneur and affiliate marketer, I’ve learned to “stem” my way forward by leveraging my resources, getting creative, and refusing to get stuck.

If one approach doesn’t work, I try another. Persistence in the face of claustrophobic circumstances is key.

Whether it’s finding ways to scale traffic and sales with a limited budget in my Cherrington Media business or navigating cash flow issues in a startup, there are always unforeseen narrow passages.

Embracing the problem-solving canyoneering mindset has helped me traverse things that at first seemed impassable.

Cherrington Media And Pushing Past Fear on Big Rappels

One of my favorite parts of canyoneering is rappelling down tall waterfalls and cliffs, anchored by nothing but a thin rope and rappel device.

As I stand atop a 120-foot rappel overlooking nothing but air, it can be terrifying to take those first steps back off the cliff.

But once I commit, stay calm, and focus on the right positioning and techniques I’ve practiced countless times before, an incredible experience awaits on the descent.

I have taken the mental toughness needed in those moments of fear and uncertainty on exposed rappels and applied it to my entrepreneurial endeavors.

Similarly, as a CEO and marketer at Cherrington Media, there are always new intimidating “rappels” ahead – launching a business, pitching an affiliate offer, getting on stage or being interviewed in front of thousands, or investing significant capital into a new venture.

Each time, that initial fear response kicks in. But over the years I’ve learned how to work through the self-doubt and simply forge ahead slowly, methodically, step-by-step.

As long as you thoroughly prepare, committing to that first step often leads to growth, excitement, and reward on the other side.

Escaping Tricky Chutes By Staying Calm At Cherrington Media

During a descent of Pemberton Canyon last summer, my team and I encountered an almost vertical slippery chute leading into a pool of frigid shallow water.

One misstep or panicked jump would have sent us shooting straight down uncontrollably into a dangerous landing.

But we stayed cool under pressure as a team, talked each other through carefully stemming down this hazard, and all made it safely to the bottom.

When unexpected problems arise in business – anything from technology failures to changes in the affiliate marketing space – it’s easy to react too quickly and make matters worse.

But over my years spearheading business ventures and marketing campaigns, I’ve avoided many a proverbial “chute” by keeping calm, strategically analyzing situations, and proceeding cautiously.

A slick business chute may require slowly inching your way down, building multiple secure anchors, reconsidering your trajectory, or even turning back and finding an entirely new route. But with a clear head, you can assess the challenge and conquer it.

Canyoneering Has Made Me Fearless As an Entrepreneur

Ascending out of the slot canyons I explore takes every ounce of perseverance and problem-solving when things don’t go as planned.

I’ve battled through close calls and near disasters to make it back to safety with my team.

Those experiences and the mindset needed to push through them have molded me into the resilient entrepreneur I am today.

I know that with a strategic approach and willingness to adapt, I can eventually slog my way out of even the most imposing business canyon or dead-end passage.

Canyoneering has taught me creativity, quick thinking under stress, the power of calculated risk-taking, and most importantly, incredible resilience.

Time and time again, whether wedged up against a cliff hundreds of feet in the air or facing another seemingly insurmountable business roadblock, I draw strength and fortitude from overcoming past challenges.

And that’s why I’m not scared of any business challenges I face in life because I know I will always overcome them. That’s all for today. Have a lovely day!