Being optimistic could save your life.

Discussion in 'Mental Preparedness' started by tb65, Jun 7, 2016.

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  1. tb65

    tb65 Active Member
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    I'm not a expert on wilderness survival but from what I've seen people who stay optimistic thrive. I've watched lot's of survival shows on the discovery channel. I've seen people fail there challenges and some pass with flying colors. One thing I noticed is that those who kept a positive mind state despite hellish circumstances seem to win the challenges every time. On the other hand those who got discouraged by adversity began two argue with there team mate and everything seemed to go downhill from there. Do you think that being optimistic plays a big part in wilderness survival?
     
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  2. Keith H.

    Keith H. Moderator Staff Member
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    I think so yes. Having the necessary skills would help with this attitude.
    Keith.
     
  3. explorerx7

    explorerx7 Expert Member
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    If you are not optimistic it could be difficult to survive out there in the wild. Imagine if you are hungry and that food is hard to find, you may not be able to go on if you don't believe that you if can go out there and find it by whatever means possible instead of sitting and worrying about it which would get you nowhere.
     
  4. Endure

    Endure Expert Member
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    Yes. But you must become an informed optimistic instead of someone with a blind optimism bordering the denial. An informed optimistic believes that the odds are in his/her favor for even having a grasp of some skills useful for survival.
    It helps to boost the necessary motivation that encourages preservation of your own life.
     
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  5. Moroccanbeauty2266

    Moroccanbeauty2266 Active Member
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    I believe that optimism helps you in any tough situation, be it when you are in a life crisis or even in the wilderness. Optimism gets you going, you stay active because you know you have to be active and do something to reach that goal that you have in your mind. If I want to build a shelter in the middle of the wilderness and it is not working out, as an optimist or informed optimist I just keep on trying until it does work and the shelter is done. A pessimist, on the contrary, would give up so fast, would only complain the whole time, would not even try hard enough. Therefore, being pessimistic will not help you. You have to have a strong mind and an awareness that you are able to make it and that you will do everything it takes to achieve it.
     
  6. joshposh

    joshposh Master Survivalist
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    I would like to think that optimism is a word that I wouldn't want to associate myself when it comes to survival. I'm more of a realist. I look at things for what they really are, and deal with the situation at hand, full knowing what would happen if I give up. I've heard many people through out my lifetime that have made wild claims and you could pass it off as optimism, when actually they are just talking and can't back it up.

    I'm a realist and a fighter. When things get grim, I plant my feet, dig in and find a way out. It's not optimism, it's the will to fight out of any situation, not out of positivity, but out of sheer will, without being self defeating.

    Most people in these reality shows might have the know how to survive in the wild, but the one thing that gets people down is the "alone" factor. They cannot be alone, perhaps out of insecurity, which I highly think it is. Some people need constant human relations and all they do is weep on how much they miss their girlfriends. The funny part is, most of the guys that think they are bad ass are actually the worse ones because they are talking like they are with their buddies, but in a self reliant situation, they fold and crumble miserably. I can function alone, so I have no issues being out on the trail by myself.
     
  7. ToTang45

    ToTang45 Expert Member
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    Josh, you can totally be all of the above though. I mean, what's stopping you from being simultaneously realistic and optimistic.

    Realism is risk assessment, knowing the possibilities, knowing bothb the pros aand the cons and that's it. It's strictly based on observable fact.
    Optimism is about morale, and if you're smart with your realism, even if it means tricking yourself to believe that 25% success rate on a certain project is the more likely option because you believe in your own aptitude, believe me you can go a long way with just that.

    Be realistic, but also hopeful. Pessimism is the first step towards giving up. And when the SHTF, giving up is the first step tiowards falling flat on your face entirely.

    tl;dr. Realistic. Optimistic. Why not do both?
     
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  8. Toast

    Toast New Member
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    I think having a positive attitude is really important in all walks of life, but especially if you're trying to survive. Giving up should never be an option. If you're not positive about the outcome you could end up in a sticky situation, or not doing all you could. I'm not sure you can really survive for very long if you're pessimistic about everything there is when you're out to survive. It doesn't mean you should be foolish, but optimistic is definitely for the best I believe.
     
  9. cluckeyo

    cluckeyo Well-Known Member
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    Yes, I do think a positive attitude is important. Because when you are an optimist and catatrophe strikes, you are automatically thinking, "what can I do to make this better?" When you are a pessimist, you are too busy thinking, "I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!"
     
    1. tejas soni
      How we approach our work is greatly dependent on our mindset. If we're in a good place with positive mindset, it's effortless. If we're stressed or unhappy, everything feels exhausting. As important as it is to be good at what you do, your craft, it is equally as important to practice your approach and master yourself with positive attitude.


      https://www.merrchant.com/daily/3/positive-attitude/
       
      tejas soni, Jun 29, 2018
  10. John Snort

    John Snort Well-Known Member
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    Optimism is what kept the pioneers alive. Even though the odds which were stacked against them they had this hope that they could make it. And they did. Like them in case of an apocalypse it's this optimism that things will get better which will get the survivors through the hard times that follow the apocalyptic event.
     
  11. lonewolf

    lonewolf Societal Collapse Survivalist. Staff Member
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    i'm more of a realist than an optimist, I realise in a survival situation most people wouldn't have a clue and would panic, stay long enough around such people and they will drag you down to their level.
     
  12. Corzhens

    Corzhens Master Survivalist
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    In times of crisis, you would need a truckload of optimism. As they say in war, you are lost when you lose your courage. Much more in a survival situation. One member of the coast guard told us that most of those who drown in a sinking ship is due to fear. So you should not lose your courage at all times. I remember a friend in the movie industry who went to the province to shoot a movie. On their way back, the boat experienced a problem which caused it to sink. The guy drowned. His companions said that he panicked. And to think that they were on a boat with so many in their big group and he was the only one who drowned. That's a lesson of positive thinking and being optimistic.
     
  13. HealthandVitality

    HealthandVitality New Member
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    That is true, being optimistic has always been the better option regardless of the outcomes. From a health point of view, when you focus on doom and gloom, there's every likelihood that your greatest fears will come to pass. That is because chemicals are released in the body that will agree with whatever is going on in your mind.
     
  14. richj8am30

    richj8am30 Member
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    In certain faiths it is taught that detachment can help you to maintain a certain level of positive even in the most challenging of situations. Everything must become sublime and things that are pleasurable should not be sought over things that are painful. It is your perception of them and reaction to them that gives them their importance. By being able to control your reaction you can learn to be content with all things.
     
  15. OfTheEarth

    OfTheEarth Member
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    I keep a positive outlook, not necessarily optimistic. Optimism is great, but it's hopeful. Positivity is in recognition. Being optimistic can sometimes be blindly moving, where positivity is more observational.
     
  16. NormaD

    NormaD New Member
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    Of course. Your mental state is the difference between success and failure. Every time. A positive state of mind leads to more confident decisions, which in turn lead to better actions and ultimately success in whatever you are pursuing.
     
  17. djordjem87

    djordjem87 Member
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    That is correct but being a pessimist can also save your life. I have to be honest with you and say that I hate both groups. Optimistic people are just happy about everything. When they are having a yoghurt they are like, "It is going to be the best yoghurt ever, I know it." No, it is the same as before and it is the same with pessimists .They are boring and gloomy. Nothing is ever good enough and no light in their lives is present. I like to have both sides all the time and I usually tend to use my common sense and logic. If I feel something is off maybe I should be a pessimist because optimism could get me hurt.
     
  18. Iohndee

    Iohndee New Member
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    You may lose everything but never lose hope, because when hope is lost, all is lost. I once came across this phrase and I believe optimism has everything to do with it.

    A positive mental attitude is what gets us through many miseries and still hope for the best. Being optimistic open doors to possibilities in whatever situation we are facing.

    If you aren't optimistic, its very easy to succumb to situations or resign to fate. Yes, I'd say being optimistic is important for survival.
     
  19. NormaD

    NormaD New Member
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    I have to say that I don't agree. Nothing is ever good or bad; it just depends on your particular mental state at the time. For example, have you ever heard a song one time and it made you feel good, and then you heard the same song another time and it failed to move you even a little? Well, it's the same with the yoghurt. To an optimist every yoghurt may very well taste different! It is all dependent on how good they are feeling at the time.
     
  20. iseeyou

    iseeyou Member
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    I agree, being optimistic in general will truly put you in a better position in life as opposed to the pessimists who seem to be incapable of being happy, they are always looking for something, anything and always kill the good vibes. Optimism will take you a long way. Having a positive outlook in life will bring you good things.
     
  21. lonewolf

    lonewolf Societal Collapse Survivalist. Staff Member
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    having the right attitude could make the difference between surviving or not surviving.
    in a post collapse world where everyone would have to be self reliant I am expecting the suicide rate to sky rocket.
     
  22. TexDanm

    TexDanm Shadow Dancer
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    Hope is a form of optimism...sometimes it is all we can have.
     
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