“The great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
The D’Anconia Journal has, to date, been a repository for thoughts on the importance of individualism and self-reliance. The reason is simple. In an age marked by convenience and interdependence, the quest for individual self-reliance has never been more pressing. I’m not just talking about things like wilderness survival, but the comprehensive ability to rely solely on oneself for life’s needs and personal comfort – regardless of the environment. It’s personal development, education, and skill acquisition that equips individuals to excel in any situation, whether within the bounds of business, society, or when left to their own devices. In today's world, life's conveniences are abundant. Information flows freely (this goes for good information, bad information, and disinformation alike), and technology has streamlined our daily routines. With these conveniences comes a paradoxical outcome: a growing sense of dependency. Worse, a blissful ignorance of dependency! People have become accustomed to outsourcing their needs and responsibilities to external entities, be it corporations, institutions, or even governments. While this convenience may seem inviting, it comes at a steep cost—individual self-reliance.
The very heart of individualism is agency. That is, the recognition of individual sovereignty and the acceptance of responsibility and accountability of self, to self. It means the recognition that Life owes you absolutely nothing. This means a successful individual looks not for handouts and guarantees, but at the furtherance and expansion of his own self-reliance. At the heart of self-reliance lies the pursuit of an all-encompassing personal education. This education extends beyond formal schooling and degrees; it represents a lifelong commitment to learning, expanding and refining knowledge, assimilating new information and reassessing opinions and beliefs, and skill cultivation. In a world that is ever-changing, static knowledge and abilities quickly become obsolete. Individuals must foster adaptability and continually acquire new skills and knowledge to remain relevant and more importantly, applicable. In the realm of business, self-reliance empowers individuals not just as employees but as entrepreneurs and leaders. It fosters innovation, encourages calculated risk-taking, and cultivates a unique skill set that distinguishes individuals in a competitive landscape. In business, self-reliance means taking charge of one's career, making informed choices, and continually upgrading skills to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. In “civilized” society, self-reliance translates into active citizenship and community engagement. It entails contributing positively to one's community, being cognizant of the challenges it faces, and taking the initiative to address them. Self-reliant individuals comprehend that societal advancement necessitates active involvement, empathy, and a willingness to collaborate, but ultimately all of that stems from the capacity and effectiveness of the individual.
Self-reliance is not confined to urban or corporate settings; it encompasses survival skills, even in the harshest conditions. Proficiency in sustaining oneself in challenging environments, whether through fundamental survival skills or resourcefulness, is a pivotal aspect of self-reliance. It instills confidence and resilience in the face of adversity. Embracing self-reliance demands a shift in mindset. It involves rejecting a passive, dependent approach to life in favor of an active, empowered one. It entails seeking opportunities for growth, welcoming challenges as opportunities for development, and seizing control of one's destiny. In a world that frequently encourages reliance and conformity, self-reliance shines as a beacon of personal empowerment. It serves as the bedrock upon which individuals can construct a life of purpose, resilience, and adaptability. By nurturing self-reliance, accompanied by a well-rounded personal education and a diverse skill set, individuals can not only navigate the complexities of the modern world but also leave an enduring impact on society, business, and their own lives. Embarking on this journey represents an investment in genuine empowerment and self-determination—a lifelong effort worth undertaking. What follows is a list I created as a sort of “self-check” for myself and my kids. It is not comprehensive. In fact, it is a living document I’ve passed around to trusted friends and mentors for their additions and suggestions. The goal isn’t to create a static set of skills and knowledge areas which, if completed, results in a passing grade and a certificate of self-reliance. As I mentioned in the very first paragraph, the goal is to create a foundation for the comprehensive ability to rely solely on oneself for life’s needs and personal comfort – regardless of the environment. Why is this important? It is important because it means you actually are a free individual. Without self-reliance, there is no freedom. Without it, there is no choice but dependence. With it, you have choices. You can choose your own path, seek your own way, sustain yourself even when times are hard or when society attempts take things away. Have a look, and ask yourself if you’re capable in each of these areas. A book could be written about each and every one of these areas – indeed, many have been. When you happen across an item you’re not familiar with or have no knowledge of, look into the subject. Learn more. Go put yourself in uncomfortable environments and new situations and improve your self-reliance. Remember, no one can take away your knowledge, skills, and abilities. The more you work on and develop yourself and your self-reliance, the more impervious to collectivism you become.
Basic Life Skills List – Working Copy
I. General Skills and Knowledge Areas
· Reading for Comprehension
· Writing for Expression
· Verbal Communication of Complex Ideas
· Effective and Compelling Storytelling
· Critical Thinking
· Logic and Reasoning
· Brainstorming / Mind-mapping ideas
· Self-Centering / Mood and attitude control
· Task Planning
· Time Management
· Etiquette
· Argumentation (classical debate and rhetoric)
· Dressing for success from the Board Room to the Back Country
· Social Awareness and Emotional Intelligence
· Basic functionality in at least one foreign language
II. Work, Learning Tools, and Productivity
· Basic Computer Applications, such as word processors, presentation tools, spreadsheets, etc.
· Website navigation and searches
· Open AI tools, stems, queries, and methods
· Traditional Library filing systems
· Penmanship
· Journaling
· Note-taking
· Maintaining a calendar
· Time zones and the use of a 24-hour clock
· Setting up a small business (EIN numbers, State filings, founding documents, banking, etc.)
· Personal Banking
· Accounting basics
· Expense planning and budgeting
· Government Offices and Agencies and their purposes
· Social and professional Networking
· Sketching and diagramming
· Memory Improvement techniques
· Condensing and organizing information – “gisting”
· Use of a scientific calculator and a 10-key machine
· Dressing for success from the board room to the back country
· Composing a professional presentation
· Constructing a teaching curriculum for a skill or idea
III. Broad Life Skills
· Environmental Analysis and Assessment
· Identify positions and navigate by map and other natural/non-electronic means
· Navigation using available technologies
· Range estimation to 1000 yards
· At least 5 methods of shelter construction
· At least 5 methods of identifying sources of, procuring, and purifying water
· At least 5 methods of making fire without matches or a lighter
· At least 5 ways of making expedient sources of all-weather tinder
· At least 3 ways of transporting fire over long distances
· Nutritional Assessment
· Basic Metabolic Rate
· Macronutrients
· Identify available sources of each as well as ways to prioritize food collection
· Use of basic hand tools
· Basic carpentry and woodworking
· Improvisational problem solving
· Identify, process and prepare natural materials for personal use
· Identify behavior patterns in local fauna for personal benefit
· Long-distance Signaling and communication
· Firearms use and safety – At least three basic types; rifle, pistol, and shotgun
· Use and manufacture of at least 5 types of primitive weapons
· Multiple methods of hunting, trapping, and fishing
· Tracking game and other humans
· Identification of nutritional and medicinal plants and fungi
· Self-protection / fighting basics
· Sewing
· Basic leatherworking
· Improvised tools
· Basic mechanics and engineering principles
· First Aid and Trauma care
· Rappelling and basic mountaineering
· Loading and packing persons, animals, and vehicles for long distance travel
· Camp comfort and hygiene
· Food preparation, cooking, baking
· Basic vehicle inspection, maintenance, and repair
· Build and repair a bicycle
· Build and repair skis and snowshoes
· Swimming and water safety in lakes, rivers, and the ocean
· Travel hazards in each ecosystem and climate (to include the urban)
· Basic metallurgy and metal working techniques and tools
· Basic stoneworking for toolmaking and weapon-building
· Emergency/Crisis management
· Leadership
· Teamwork
· Driving a vehicle (manual or automatic transmission)
· Riding a motorcycle
· Riding a horse (tack, pack, or bareback)
· Small boat operations (kayak, canoe, sailboat, raft)
· Swimming and basic water rescue
· Methods of travel and transporting people and goods in dangerous or austere environments
· Identify and prepare a suitable helicopter landing zone
· Personnel Recovery planning and preparation
· Skills Assessment and Organization of tasks
· Crisis Psychology
· Disaster and Crisis Management
IV. General Education
· History
· Political Science
· Civics / Government / World Affairs
· Philosophy
· Physical Sciences
· Mathematical Problem solving
· Basic Technology Operation
· Art
· Music
· Language and Grammar
· Physical Education and Exercise principles
· Economics
· Behavioral Psychology
V. Activities for Personal Development (great list for kids/teens to execute as well as for adults)
· Read 10 important literary works
· Write a short story, a poem, and a song
· Paint a picture, draw a person, make a sculpture
· Make a piece of furniture
· Set up a remote camp and stay there for two days and nights
· Write a summary of 3-5 economic systems. Compare and contrast
· Write a summary of 3-5 political systems. Compare and contrast
· Create an accurate map of a 1 mile by 1 mile area
· Plan your household’s expenses for 1 month. Do all the shopping and bill paying
· Write a letter to a Senator or Congressperson about an important issue
· Write a summary of an important scientific principle or theory
· Write a summary of an important historical period and how its events shaped the present day
· Set up a primitive outdoor kitchen and prepare a meal for multiple people
· Choose 5 personal strengths or virtues and write about them, examining how they can be used to improve your quality of life and your level of overall happiness
· Conduct research on your own and write a persuasive essay in support of your position on a controversial topic. When finished, conduct additional research as necessary and write to the opposite position.
· Research a current technology or business model. Trace the evolution of that technology or business model back to its earliest origins and describe the pivotal developments from then to now.