A Survival Guide for Life — Bear Grylls

Life lessons for surviving & thriving

Just finished reading this wonderful book by the daredevil survival maestro “Bear Grylls”. He is widely known for his famous survival television series called “Man v Wild” on Discovery channel. This book offers 75 fundamental lessons drawn from his life expeditions in a simple, yet relevant manner that can provide succour to many in these extremely dynamic times.

In his own words, “Sometimes light can be tough, but I hope this can serve as a good route map to guide you through the challenges and on towards your dreams. Life is short & precious — live it boldly, my special ones”.

I would like to take the liberty of summarising the highlights of the book in this article.

1. Just begin: The ongoing pandemic & its consequent fallout has dealt a blow to many a dreams & adventures. Starting all over again is understandably daunting and painful. Do not loose heart. Take the first step in faith. You do not have to see the full staircase. Just take the first step.
2. Say Yes : More often than not, saying no means that nothing will change in your life. A yes, however, has the power to create change. Say yes to embracing change, uncertainty & adversity. A big part of getting ahead in life is a willingness to say “Why not” when others just say “Why?”
3. That little bit extra : Ever wondered what’s the difference between a $ 1 million racehorse & $ 1000 racehorse? It’s 1000 times, right? That’s clearly ridiculous. Is it even 10 times faster? No way. Twice as fast? Unlikely. At best, the difference is only ever going to be a few seconds. Always always go that extra mile — when preparing for that important meeting, making a sales pitch to a client, appearing for an interview, or even writing self-appraisal.
4. Pack light : On an expedition, you never want to carry more gear than you need. It is extra weight. Too much baggage slows you down. Ultimately, you want to be empowered with a super efficient, totally functional kit made up of solid principles on which to build your life & adventure. Pack the right skills & the right attitude, and you don’t need much else.
5. Worry Worries : Mark Twain famously said that he had spent most of his life worrying about things that never happened. In other words, if you can’t change it, don’t fret it. What do you most worry about? Is it inside or outside your sphere of influence?
6. Storms make you Stronger : Sometimes life tests us a little. Things we had banked on coming in just don’t work out. People let you down, one disaster follows another. It never rains, but it pours. Do not shy away from hard times, they are your chances to shine. Bear has learnt one lesson from mountains & the wild — that underneath it all, we humans are made strong.
7. Laugh at yourself : Look at the animals; the strongest grizzly bear still rolls around with her cubs, goofing. It is part of their strength & magnetic appeal. Do not take yourself too seriously, if you fall in the mud, just sit up tall & laugh. We are all “work in progress” and not a sophisticated product.
8. No plan survives first contact with the enemy : Mike Tyson once famously said, “Everyone has a plan.. until they get punched in the face”. If your adventure is an exciting one, you can bet your last $ you will get hit by the occasional punch in the face. Prepare for the unexpected and remember that forewarned is forearmed. The real adventure begins when things go a little wrong.
9. Be a volunteer : There is something truly remarkable about the Scouts; this 28 million strong worldwide force for good; the greatest youth movement on the planet and all driven by life affirming values and a volunteering spirit. Bear sees volunteering as a “character factory”. The more you give, the more you get.
10. Use time wisely : No man is rich enough to buy back his past. Change the way you use your time, and you change your life. Like Jeff Bezos, visualise yourself at 70 or 80 sitting on your armchair looking back at your innings & how you invested your time. It is scientifically proven that “No one wishes they had spent more time in office”.

Hope you will find this useful. Let the mountains give you strength.