Becoming a 'Sir' is slightly uncomfortable at first, although it is a considerable honor. It is amazing how quickly you become accustomed to it.
Interpretation
Achieving high honors can feel daunting initially, but one soon adjusts to the new recognition.
In this quote, Edmund Hillary reflects on the experience of receiving an honor, indicating that while the initial feelings of discomfort or insecurity may arise, the recognition ultimately becomes a comfortable and familiar part of one's identity. This highlights the juxtaposition between the weight of honor and the human ability to adapt to new roles and expectations.
In practice
During a speech at a formal event, one might quote this to acknowledge the journey toward success.
I think I mainly climb mountains because I get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. I never attempt to analyze these things too thoroughly, but I think that all mountaineers do get a great deal of satisfaction out of overcoming some challenge which they think is very difficult for them, or which perhaps may be a little dangerous.
Despite all I have seen and experiences, I still get the same thrill out of glimpsing a tiny patch of snow in a high mountain gully and feel the same urge to climb toward it.
I've always hated the danger part of climbing, and it's great to come down again because it's safe.
Even when you're 50, you can make the effort to improve your standards.
Many people have been getting too casual about climbing Everest. I forecast a disaster many times.
I am a lucky man. I have had a dream and it has come true, and that is not a thing that happens often to men.
It is only after an unknown number of unrecorded labors, after a host of noble hearts have succumbed in discouragement, convinced that their cause is lost; it is only then that cause triumphs.
Nobody is an overnight success. Most overnight successes you see have been working at it for ten years.
Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats. Yet each struggle, each defeat, sharpens your skills and strengths, your courage and your endurance, your ability and your confidence and thus each obstacle is a comrade-in-arms forcing you to become better... or quit. Each rebuff is an opportunity to move forward; turn away from them, avoid them, and you throw away your future.
There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.
The North Star has always been the same, which for us, is about making insanely great products that really change the world in some way - enrich people's lives.
Entrepreneurship is like a computer game in which you have to master every level before achieving success. Startups repeatedly stumble and have to go back to the drawing board. The best way to skip some levels and to increase the odds of survival is to learn from others who have already played the game.
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