A Motivational & Inspirational Toolkit: ‘A Survival Guide For Life’ by Bear Grylls
A Survival Guide For Life
Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk
I always steer clear of self-help books which offer quick-fix motivation, get rich schemes and strategies which offer unrealistic outcomes. I was fearful that this would be one of those books but, thankfully, it’s not. Although A Survival Guide For Life has a popular light touch and short pithy chapters, this isn’t a superficial read. On the contrary, it’s filled with good old-fashioned advice, hard-won wisdom, realistic strategies, true motivational language and life lessons with a solid moral ethic. I immediately knew we were in good territory when Bear Grylls talked about having ‘realistic dreams.’ His particular ‘survival guide’ offers thoughts on many topics. These include: thoughts on motivation, time management and goals. Also, the value of qualities such as kindness, humility, being true to your word and the importance of honesty. There are other insights on courage, gratitude, the meaning of bravery, what failure means, the deep value of giving through volunteering, and much more.
Bear Grylls is known worldwide for his physical survival skills, adventuring and motivational speaking. Pitted against inhospitable landscapes and calamitous situations, his TV programmes and books aim to show us how we can get out of difficult situations. As the Chief Scout to 28 million scouts worldwide he is an influential figurehead and his books and DVDs are bestsellers. He is also no stranger to personal adversity. He describes surviving a parachute accident that put him into rehabilitation for 18 months. He experienced the “hardest, darkest, most frightening time” (page 23) of his life as he struggled desperately to recover.
In, A Survival Guide For Life, Bear Grylls shows us how he has become resilient and able to cope with difficult situations and harsh physical challenges. He reveals how he has developed the life skills which lie at the heart of his successful adventuring. Life skills which we can all learn from and apply in our own situation, whatever our lives and lifestyle. This book also shows us more of the man behind the image. He speaks of some of the mistakes he has made and points out the pitfalls that many fall into on their path to ‘success.’ It’s a book that is strong on motivation, light on cynicism and is bursting with good advice. As such, I confess to being surprised to discover, this really is an encouraging and inspirational read.
Bear Grylls’ main website and blog is here. His long list of successful books are on Amazon. And there are also DVD box sets of his popular and successful TV adventure and survival programmes, such as Man vs Wild and Born Survivor. You’ll also find lots of Bear Grylls’ TV programmes on YouTube.
If you’ve come across Bear Grylls I’d be interested to hear from you. I’d especially like to know about your own particular survival skills for life – can you share any of them? I really welcome your thoughts.
Thank you for this wonderful book review Ruth ~ I will put Bear Grylls’ survival guide on my list for sure… It sounds like it would be a worthwhile read for me… and could always use inspiration and encouragement… I used to read this type of book a lot and it’s been a while… so a wonderful reminder by you — Appreciate dear one ~ Love, Robyn
Hi Robyn, thanks so much, very glad you enjoyed the review. I agree, we can always do with a little extra encouragement. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I did when you get to read it – let me know! Take care and lots of love across the waves to you xx
I must have missed this one Ruth, I often would watch his series on TV… He took Huge risks and ate the most horribleness imaginable LOL… But nothing can detract that he could survive on next to almost nothing!.. Thank you for the review.. I have jotted down the title to add to my Son’s Xmas Stocking filler list! 😉 As a teenager he would fancy himself as a bit of a survivor lol I remember in his early teens he spent a whole day nearly down at our allotments trying to make fire from sticks.. he failed! ,, My daughter later bought him a flit to get a spark… He was thrilled to bits with it.. LOL Memories… Thank you for allowing me to open that particular one up..
🙂 Love and Blessings and hoping you are feeling the benefits of Summer and the heat wasn’t too exhausting for you xx Love Sue
Hi Sue, what a lovely memory – thanks for sharing it. 🙂 These survival skills – mental and physical – are very valuable. Glad that you found the post and the book review useful – I hope he enjoys reading it as much as I did. The humidity is a bit tough for me – what about you and how are the vegetables faring in this terrific heat? Have a lovely day Sue and thanks so much for catching up and joining me for a cool glass of fridge cold water! Enjoy the weather and being ‘out there’ in it. Much love to you xx 🙂
Ruth, the humidity has been tough too.. My muscles and joints have ached more.. But keeping myself mobile and active without overdoing it.. Hubby in allotments as I speak.. My day off work today and so I am literally taking it easy today…
Im catching up as much as I can this Am.. but looking at the clock now LOL its already past Noon… 🙂
That Cool glass of water is inviting.. Im putting together a post on what I have been up to more or less lol.. I write a bit then go and sit in the garden….. Too nice not to miss all our good weather..
Hope the storms were not too bad where you are.. We had a hum digger of a one.. Lightning bolts around 4 miles away.. Much fresher today though…
I have enjoyed reading your posts Ruth.. Always good to read your thoughts…
Take care my lovely friend… and much love in return.. xox Sue
Thanks so much Sue – looking forward to your post with news of your veggies and more. Yes, we’ve had quite a few storms, one night the lightening was incredible – thankfully I like storms and their positive ions!! I thought you’d enjoy the cool drink. 🙂 You take care of yourself too. Thanks so much for visiting, for your kind words and always your encouragement – I really appreciate all of those things, Ruth xx 🙂
You are most welcome Ruth and Likewise, 🙂 Now I am off to shell some peas hubby brought home ready to freeze ! love to you xox Sue