Surviving the Unsurvivable: Lessons From Touching the Void
Touching the Void is a gripping tale of survival that chronicles the harrowing experience of two mountaineers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, as they attempt to climb Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. The book is a compelling account of their journey, detailing their physical and emotional struggles as they fight for survival in the face of overwhelming odds. There are many lessons to be learned from this incredible story. Here are seven key takeaways that stand out, starting with what I consider to be the most surprising one.
1. You Don’t Have to Believe You’ll Succeed In Order to Succeed
Throughout their ordeal, both Simpson and Yates faced moments of doubt and uncertainty, questioning whether they would ever make it out alive. As Joe Simpson says, “I didn’t believe I could do it, but I did it anyway” (p. 196). This realization is a powerful reminder that success is often achieved through perseverance and determination, even when we don’t believe we can succeed.
In fact, research has shown that self-doubt can sometimes be beneficial, as it can lead to a greater sense of focus and motivation. A study by researchers at the University of California found that people who were more self-critical tended to perform better than those who were overly confident (Kross, 2011). This suggests that a healthy dose of self-doubt can be a positive force, pushing us to work harder and strive for success even when we don’t feel fully confident in our abilities.
2. Perseverance and Resilience are Crucial
It’s never the end until it really is. Sometimes what we think is the end, is merely a plot twist. Sometimes, the most difficult part of persevering through a challenge is that we don’t always know when the end is in sight. It’s easy to become discouraged and give up when it feels like we’re not making progress, but often we’re closer to our goal than we realize.
Pushing through those moments of doubt and uncertainty can lead to breakthroughs and achievements we never thought possible. It’s important to remember that sometimes we need to keep going, even when it feels like we’re not making progress.
Simpson’s determination and resilience are evident throughout the book. Despite his injuries, he never gives up, fighting through pain and exhaustion to stay alive. As he states, “I knew I had to do something, but I didn’t know what. I just knew that I had to keep moving” (p. 179). Simpson’s perseverance in the face of extreme adversity serves as a powerful reminder that we must never give up, even when things seem hopeless.
3. Trusting Your Instincts is Essential
Trusting your instincts is not always easy, but it is an essential component of making sound decisions. Our instincts and inner guidance can offer valuable insights that we might not be able to access through logic alone. By listening to our gut, we can receive guidance that helps us navigate challenging situations and make tough choices.
When we learn to trust our instincts, we tap into a powerful source of wisdom that can help us move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
Both Simpson and Yates trusted their instincts throughout their ordeal, making crucial decisions based on their gut feelings. When Yates cut the rope that connected the two climbers, he did so because he believed it was the only way to save his own life.
Similarly, when Simpson was faced with the choice of staying put or attempting to climb down the mountain, he trusted his instincts and made the difficult decision to move forward. As he says, “I made a conscious decision to survive” (p. 185). Trusting our instincts can be the difference between life and death in critical situations.
4. Teamwork is Critical In Times of Crisis
Despite the difficult decision Yates made to cut the rope, the two climbers worked together as a team throughout their ordeal. When Simpson was injured and unable to climb, Yates descended the mountain in search of help.
When he became lost, Simpson never gave up hope and continued to call out to him, eventually leading him to safety. Their teamwork in the face of adversity serves as a powerful reminder that we are often stronger together than we are alone.
As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we need to handle everything on our own. However, when we’re faced with a crisis, it’s important to remember that we have a team of people around us who can offer support and valuable insights.
In fact, utilizing our team is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and effective leadership. By involving our team in the decision-making process and seeking their input, we not only benefit from their diverse perspectives, but we also build trust and foster a sense of collaboration that can help us navigate even the most challenging situations.
One study by the Harvard Business Review found that leaders who actively involve their teams in decision-making and problem-solving tend to have better business outcomes. Specifically, teams with high levels of engagement and collaboration were found to have…
- 29% greater customer satisfaction,
- 18% higher productivity, and
- 21% greater profitability
…compared to teams with low levels of engagement and collaboration. This highlights the importance of teamwork and utilizing the collective intelligence of a team to achieve better results.
5. Adversity Can Reveal Our True Character
In times of crisis, our true character is often revealed. Going through adversity can be one of the most difficult and challenging experiences we face in life. But, it can also be an opportunity to discover what we’re truly made of.
When we push ourselves to the limit, and we come out on the other side, we gain a sense of empowerment and resilience that can fuel us to accomplish even greater things. Adversity can be a powerful reminder that we’re capable of much more than we think.
When we face future challenges, we can draw on the inner strength we developed during past experiences to guide us forward and help us succeed.
Simpson’s determination, resilience, and courage shone through during his ordeal, as he fought to stay alive against all odds. As he says, “I had fought and survived, and now the memory of that struggle would remain with me for the rest of my life” (p. 202).
Adversity revealed an inner strength and resilience he might not have otherwise known he had in him.
6. Preparation and Planning are Essential for Success
When it comes to preparing for challenges, it’s important to expect the best while also being prepared for the worst. While we can’t predict every possible outcome, we can take steps to mitigate potential risks and prepare ourselves to handle unexpected situations.
This requires a combination of proactive planning and flexibility, as well as an understanding that things may not always go as planned. By investing time and energy into preparation and planning, we can increase our chances of success and minimize the impact of any obstacles we may encounter along the way.
Before embarking on their climb, Simpson and Yates spent months preparing and planning for their journey. They researched the mountain, trained extensively, and brought along all the necessary equipment.
Despite their best efforts, however, they still encountered unexpected challenges that nearly cost them their lives. This serves as a reminder that no matter how well we plan, we must always be prepared for the unexpected. As the saying goes, “hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”
7. Life is Precious, and We Should Never Take it for Granted
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from Touching the Void is the reminder that life is precious, and we should never take it for granted. As Simpson reflects on his experience, he realizes that “I had been given a second chance, and I knew that I would never waste it” (p. 202). This sentiment is a powerful reminder that every day is a gift, and we should cherish it and make the most of every opportunity.
The realization that life is precious can also apply to our business goals and aspirations. Sometimes, we may find ourselves feeling stuck or unfulfilled in our current pursuits, and this may be a sign that we need to aim higher and upgrade out goals.
It’s important not to waste the opportunity to make a meaningful impact with our business and to constantly challenge ourselves to grow and evolve. By setting ambitious goals that align with our values and aspirations, we can tap into our full potential and make a difference in the world around us. Life is too short to settle for mediocrity.
When our goals are truly meaningful and aligned with our values, we wake up excited and energized to work towards them. So, instead of settling for less, let’s take the time to evaluate our goals and determine if they are truly challenging and inspiring us.
In Conclusion
Touching the Void is a gripping and inspiring book that offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike. Joe Simpson’s experience is a testament to the power of the human will to survive, even in the face of self-doubt and uncertainty. Even when we don’t believe we can succeed, we can surprise ourselves.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Simpson’s survival is the strength of his values and the key role they played in keeping him alive. Even when he didn’t know if he would make it out of the mountains, Simpson’s unwavering commitment to his values – such as determination, perseverance, and never giving up – gave him the motivation and strength he needed to push through.
This is a powerful reminder of the impact that strong values can have on our lives and business. When our values are clear, focused, and deeply held, they can give us the strength and determination to overcome even the toughest challenges and pursue our goals with passion and purpose. In the face of adversity, our values can be a guiding light that keeps us focused on what truly matters and propels us forward towards success.
We also learn that trusting our instincts and preparing for the worst can help us overcome even the most daunting obstacles. Despite his injuries and his doubts, he never gave up, fighting to stay alive against all odds.
Ultimately, the book is a powerful reminder that life is precious and that we should never take it for granted. And that even when we don’t believe we can succeed, we can surprise ourselves. By embracing these lessons and applying them to our own businesses and lives, we can overcome any challenge and achieve our most ambitious goals.
Powerful Resource
If you enjoyed the lessons from Touching the Void and want to incorporate the strength of your values and visions into your business to help you succeed as an entrepreneur, I highly recommend checking out my book, Claiming Your Clarity: Becoming Unstoppable In Your Business By Getting Clear and Focused.
This book offers practical strategies for tapping into clarity as a superpower, and overcoming common challenges, such as distractions, lack of focus, overwhelm, and self-doubt. By providing clear guidance along with actionable steps, Claiming Your Clarity can help you achieve greater clarity, focus, and success in your business.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, this book is a valuable resource that can help you overcome stubborn obstacles and achieve your goals using some of the same principles that helped Joe Simpson survive his life-threatening ordeal.
