A ranch in Wyoming can be a rough place to grow up. I played on a rockslide that had stabilized over the years, discovered abandoned whiskey stills from the 1930’s in rough mountain terrain, and wore lace-up boots to prevent rattlesnakes from biting my feet and ankles. Of course, if it bit anywhere higher on my leg, I was on my own so I learned to be alert. And fast. A coiled rattlesnake can only strike the length of its body so if I saw it first, those lace-up boots could also burn rubber in the opposite direction.

I grew up skinny. And not just from running away from rattlesnakes. Every day after school I played for a few hours before I did my chores, or until it got dark. I walked down the river and constructed my own version of Fort Courage—remember the 60’s comedy show F Troop—from a small grove of willow trees, bits of driftwood, and a good dose of imagination. I found small tree limbs that could be carved into rifles, set up a general store substituting rocks for canned goods, and climbed up to an overhang of rocks that made a perfect lookout for marauding Indians. It was a busy life.

I also grew up with a respect for hard work and a belief that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. I learned there is a difference between being strong-willed and being strong-minded—in a nest of rattlesnakes, one can cost you your life while the other can save it. A strong mind, unafraid of the risks in the unknown, led me from the mountains of Wyoming to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Let me share my rattlesnake survival tactics:

1. Look for the Unknown

In FBI firearms training, we were taught to look for the unknown in an arrest situation. Lack of preparedness can result in serious injury—whether it’s a little girl spotting a coiled rattlesnake, an FBI agent making an arrest, or an entrepreneur navigating the marketplace. The most common response to the unknown is that it is something to be feared, challenged, or overcome. On the other hand, the unknown can also be something to be discovered that will lead you into new territory.

TIP: Identify the thoughts and emotions that bubble up when facing the unknown in your life.

• What metaphor comes to mind?
• Is it a wave crashing down upon you, a strong wind that takes your breath, or a fire that consumes everything in its path?
• Or do you look at it like an animal to be tamed, a mountain to be climbed, or a race to be won?

The way in which you perceive the unknown determines how you will navigate it.

2. Engage the Unknown

Just because you don’t like surprises, it doesn’t mean they aren’t going to happen. Rattlesnakes coil before they strike, but if you’re alert for them, it’s possible to see them, change course, and move out of striking distance. Pretending you don’t see it and continuing along the same path, will only lead to disaster—and leave you scrambling for an alternative route in a panic.

TIP: Engage the unknown in small steps at first.

• Ask small questions about the direction your path is headed.
• Think small thoughts about alternative reactions and responses.
• Take small actions when confronted with the unexpected.
• Identify small moments when you met the unknown with confidence.

The secret is small, steady steps that get you closer to your goal.

3. Partner with the Unknown

I grew up with respect and a healthy dose of fear for rattlesnakes but I never let it change my love for exploring the beautiful mountains on our ranch. Rattlesnakes were simply a part of my life. I learned to adapt to my circumstances and not let fear alter my goals.

TIP: Pick one area of your life that you’d like to explore and understand in more depth.

• What would it take for you to go deeper?
• Push past what you currently know about it.
• Take the time to explore multiple dimensions and next-level solutions.

Get used to it now because the unknown is your partner for life.

“Courage is doing what you‘re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you‘re scared.”

Eddie Rickenbacker, American aviator

Take Away

There is a difference between being strong-willed and strong-minded—one can cost you your life while the other can save it. A strong mind is unafraid of the unknown but uses wisdom before proceeding.

Would you describe yourself as strong-willed or strong-minded?

How are the two different?

Which has been more effective in helping you to reach your goal?

You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LaRaeQuy

Tags: crisis management, FBI, personal achievement, self development, self-awareness

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