Survival…

The book Deep Survival: who lives, who dies and why, by Laurence Gonzales, asks the question: why do some people survive dangerous situations and when other people don’t? The author spends most of his time telling riveting survival stories: plane crashes, mountain climbing accidents, people lost in the woods - all page turners. But the real value Gonzales also pulls out of these incidents is this nugget: people that survive abandon their mental models of the world and open their eyes. They don’t try to force the world to be a certain way: instead they respond to the situation with a new mind set, taking it to be what it is, and working within the real world to survive and even thrive.

According to Gonzales, here are some of the key elements of what survivors do:

Perceive and believe: Survivors see opportunity, even good, in their situation, however grim. After the ordeal is over, people may be surprised to hear them say it was the best thing that ever happened to them.

Stay Calm, Use Anger Productively: In the initial crisis, survivors are not ruled by fear; instead, they make use of it. Their fear often feels like (and turns into) anger, which motivates them and makes them feel sharper.

Think, Analyze, and Plan: Survivors quickly organize, set up routines, and institute discipline.

Take Correct, Decisive Action: Survivors are willing to take risks to save themselves and others. But they are simultaneously bold and cautious in what they will do.

Celebrate Success: Survivors take great joy from even their smallest successes. This helps keep motivation high and prevents a lethal plunge into hopelessness.

Be a Rescuer, Not a Victim: Survivors are always doing what they do for someone else, even if that someone is thousands of miles away.

Enjoy the Journey: It may seem counter-intuitive, but even in the worst circumstances, survivors find something to enjoy, some way to play and laugh.

Believe That You Will Succeed: A survivor's will to live becomes firmly fixed on the belief that, no matter what happens, they will come through the crisis.

Do Whatever Is Necessary: Survivors have a reason to live and are willing to bet everything on themselves.

Never Give Up: Survivors are not easily discouraged by setbacks. When they fall, they pick themselves up and start again.

The present economic difficulties magnify the importance of these rules.