The next time I go to the climbing wall I am going to try sequences of moves I don’t think I can do. I will report back. You could too…let me know how you get on...
A 10 piece jigsaw presents a problem to solve. A 100 piece jigsaw is a bit more of a complex problem. The chance of failure each move along the way is much higher with 100 pieces. The likelihood of us picking up all the pieces in the right order is very low. We are going to fail by picking up the wrong piece…thinking it will fit…but it does’t and we have to try again.
Lets be honest though, most of us are not afraid to put some pieces back in the box and to try again. Why is this different in the climbing gym? Why do most of us avoid the interesting problems? If only we could open ourselves up to the challenge of failure.
An interesting problem is a sequence of climbing where there is not a clear route to success, the best way to solve the problem is not quickly apparent but there is a solution there if we can find it…and learn to perform it. There are options. The method to solve these problems can only be unlocked once we attempt to climb the sequence. We will in many cases only attempt the sequence when we are comfortable with failure as an option.
Our perceived athletic ability, comfortable ego and psychological expectations often hold us back from attempting truly interesting problems. Thing is, if we never attempt interesting problems…we will never improve at solving them.
At the climbing gym we often spend our time solving simple problems. Moves we know, holds that are familiar, a sequence of moves we already know we can do. Imagine how great we would be at solving 10 piece problems…if only we spent more time learning from attempting 100 piece problems. We would expand our and most importantly engage with solving interesting problems.
Experienced, high performing climbers have learned the art of failing fast and this is one of the keys to their success. There is something in this we can all learn from. They have the ability to attempt a sequence of moves when failure is a very real potential outcome. The climber tries really hard, fails, takes a step back then attempts a second method. Sometimes the climber will then return to the first method. In other cases move onto a third method…learning all the way, allowing the interesting problems of their past to guide them.
Rock climbing has the power to make us all more optimistic. Adopting an open mindset approach to problem solving highlights opportunities, the positive potential outcomes. Solving problems feels great. This is part of the reason why bouldering has become so popular as a way to feel the euphoric effects of rock climbing. Getting better at failing is one step on the road to climbing better.
I am going to see if I can do it…I think it will be easier said than done…let’s see…
Pro Tips :
Find interesting problems, these are problems where the solution is clearly a challenge for you from the start. Maybe it is a move you have not seen before, a new hold (if you are luck enough to get them in your gym). At the heart of succeeding at climbing an interesting sequence is navigating your way through a number of decision points…and getting it right…embracing the possibility of getting it wrong and learning when you inevitably do.
Try different movements and review. Next time you are at the wall try climbing a problem using three different methods. One method may feel much better than the others or all three might feel great.
Play game with a friend. Take turns climbing a fun boulder problem. Each time you must use a different method. See who runs out of ideas first.
Leave your ego at home and feel great without it. Many climbers are in effect tying their laces together…tripping themselves up because they avoid truly challenging problems…problems that challenge their climbing skill and not simply strength.
THE BOTTOM LINE : Attempt interesting problems and fail fast…don’t waste your climbing time on simple problems.