- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
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Mindset-Skillset-Toolset
I know this was often referred to for self-defense scenarios, but I think this a perfect application for both survival and just practicing bushcraft. Most would agree that as much as we like to discuss gear and tool sets, we all recognize that skills are what are truly important. What I think most also accept is that one’s mindset is where the foundation should start. I’ve heard that “mindset” in the self-defense realm often boils down for the individual to accept that bodily harm and violent action which could result in death is probable and very likely.
For any situation dealing with the outdoors, I think most of us prefer a few comforts, but before you even go out on a day hike, have you ever considered your mindset? For me, I put my mind at ease after I conduct a quick inspection of my gear and confident in the skills I have mastered or at least comfortable with. We often practice with our “tools” and our “skills”, but do we ever exercise our “mindset”? I’ve enjoyed Mistwalker’s previous posts (and there are others). Much like challenging yourself; putting your skills and tools to work under abnormal conditions. Nobody knows how they will truly react to a normal situation turning to a crisis unless they've been thrown into a similar situation in the past. Whether it’s a rolled over canoe in a fast moving stream, accident that severely limits your mobility, severe weather moving in without notice or any other situation that requires more than just your skills and tools, but also the ability to calmly and quickly assess the situation and make a calculated decision.
I see the normal “will to survive” as the foundation for a survival mindset, but I do feel there are other aspects that we can work out to “exercise” our mindset. Putting added stress into our regular camping, backpacking and bushcrafting activities can really help to improve your mindset. I can’t remember who did the video, but a gentleman was neck deep in a cold river; soaking his clothes and everything on him and he attempted (and was successful) at getting a fire started. Similarly, Mistwalker has done some great videos showing how to start a fire simulating one arm being immobilized. That is a perfect demonstration where even after practicing your fire starting skills with a firesteel tool or primitive method, do you possess the will and ingenuity (especially under stress) to utilize those skills and tools (or without tools) to still function and perform the necessary tasks when conditions are not optimal?
Well, just some stimulating thoughts as I slave away here in Afghanistan on New Year’s Eve. I like that the same sets…Mindset-Skillset-Toolset, flows the same for how we approach our outdoor’s activities. Tools and toys are great, skills are truly perishable and needed to fully utilize the tools (including improvised tools) to be not only effective but efficient; lastly…having the right mindset is crucial to both apply the skillsets and use the tools. That mindset is often not a concern under ideal conditions, but under stress, duress or any other un-forecasted crisis, you really must maintain your wits and assess the situation and act accordingly. The more you can practice your skills and utilizing you tools/equipment under simulated stress or with limited capacity, the more you’ll exercise and prepare your mindset.
Happy New Years all!
ROCK6
I know this was often referred to for self-defense scenarios, but I think this a perfect application for both survival and just practicing bushcraft. Most would agree that as much as we like to discuss gear and tool sets, we all recognize that skills are what are truly important. What I think most also accept is that one’s mindset is where the foundation should start. I’ve heard that “mindset” in the self-defense realm often boils down for the individual to accept that bodily harm and violent action which could result in death is probable and very likely.
For any situation dealing with the outdoors, I think most of us prefer a few comforts, but before you even go out on a day hike, have you ever considered your mindset? For me, I put my mind at ease after I conduct a quick inspection of my gear and confident in the skills I have mastered or at least comfortable with. We often practice with our “tools” and our “skills”, but do we ever exercise our “mindset”? I’ve enjoyed Mistwalker’s previous posts (and there are others). Much like challenging yourself; putting your skills and tools to work under abnormal conditions. Nobody knows how they will truly react to a normal situation turning to a crisis unless they've been thrown into a similar situation in the past. Whether it’s a rolled over canoe in a fast moving stream, accident that severely limits your mobility, severe weather moving in without notice or any other situation that requires more than just your skills and tools, but also the ability to calmly and quickly assess the situation and make a calculated decision.
I see the normal “will to survive” as the foundation for a survival mindset, but I do feel there are other aspects that we can work out to “exercise” our mindset. Putting added stress into our regular camping, backpacking and bushcrafting activities can really help to improve your mindset. I can’t remember who did the video, but a gentleman was neck deep in a cold river; soaking his clothes and everything on him and he attempted (and was successful) at getting a fire started. Similarly, Mistwalker has done some great videos showing how to start a fire simulating one arm being immobilized. That is a perfect demonstration where even after practicing your fire starting skills with a firesteel tool or primitive method, do you possess the will and ingenuity (especially under stress) to utilize those skills and tools (or without tools) to still function and perform the necessary tasks when conditions are not optimal?
Well, just some stimulating thoughts as I slave away here in Afghanistan on New Year’s Eve. I like that the same sets…Mindset-Skillset-Toolset, flows the same for how we approach our outdoor’s activities. Tools and toys are great, skills are truly perishable and needed to fully utilize the tools (including improvised tools) to be not only effective but efficient; lastly…having the right mindset is crucial to both apply the skillsets and use the tools. That mindset is often not a concern under ideal conditions, but under stress, duress or any other un-forecasted crisis, you really must maintain your wits and assess the situation and act accordingly. The more you can practice your skills and utilizing you tools/equipment under simulated stress or with limited capacity, the more you’ll exercise and prepare your mindset.
Happy New Years all!
ROCK6
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. At the same time, my favorite days to hit the woods, misty rainy...cold and gloomy to most...are a good times to practice dealing with adverse situations with the safety net of knowing a warm truck is only a mile or two away and home not that far. I like how Rick Marchand used to practice fire starting in extreme cold. He'd go out and gather fuel and get a good fire going an easier way, then walk away from it and turn his back to it as he experimented with harder methods of starting fires. That way he had a safety net, but kept it out of his view as he worked so it wasn't so obvious that he really didn't need the fire. We humans are really resilient and resourceful creatures when we need to be, we just often need to be in order to find out the actual extent. Not everyone is cut out to be in the military, but it's a pity confidence courses aren't available for high school seniors to learn that their limits are much higher than most of them think they are.