What if mastery is the challenge?

Leadership is frustrating me right now.

Today I caught myself wanting to ask my youngest self: Why did you want to become a leader? The teen version of me—and the me in my 20s, 30s, and 40s—would all have different reasons.

Sitting with it, the answer that arose wasn’t just “leadership.” It was the challenge. I’m drawn to it, I have a skill set for it, and I’ve seen both wins and misses.

Maybe the point isn’t to chase a new mountain. Maybe the mountain is here: mastering the role I’m in. Taking honest feedback and getting better. Learning new skills while sharpening old ones. Maybe that’s it.

Question: Where in your life do you need a brand-new challenge—and where do you simply need to climb the mountain you’re already on?