Mental and Attitudinal Focus for the Professional Treasure Hunter
The mental and attitudinal approach to professional treasure hunting expeditions is as important as the physical conditioning requirements we commented on in a previous blog.
Fatigue, the pressure of finding water and food, going weeks without any contact with civilization, dealing with extended time away from family, remaining alert for dangers such as rattlesnakes, enduring cold, heat, aridity, being stalked, being chased, and getting shot at definitely wears on the mind. Thus, emotional and temperamental well-being is vital. Emotional reactions to challenges are as important as physical reactions. Emotional control and mental acuity come with experience, and with each challenge becomes greater confidence.
I approach each expedition with a Zen-like attitude. For me it is very simple: I set a goal, establish a plan, and then set out to accomplish my aim. My partners do the same. Experience has taught us that we can always expect the unexpected. We understand that goals might shift, plans might change, that some adventures for which we aimed might never occur, and others we did not anticipate might arise. Few plans survive contact with reality.
Focus and patience become valuable attributes. While the team concentrates on the goals, we become adept at allowing events to unfold and adapting to changing circumstances. We learn to be prepared for anything. Adaptability is a trait we acquired over the years and one that is implemented during every expedition. We have never gotten upset about events we cannot control. We quietly go about making whatever adjustments are necessary to help us in reaching our goal. While there have been many expeditions that were less than successful, we always come away feeling grateful for the exceptional experience and the lessons learned.
Cooperation is vital. A cooperative endeavor such as a major treasure hunting expedition depends largely on the ability of team members to depend on one another. Over the years, we have encountered life-threatening situations where our survival depended on our individual and collective ability to overcome them. During an expedition, we live together in remote and challenging physical and cultural environments for weeks at a time. We share food, water, and space. We share responsibility equally. When we locate a treasure cache, we share that equally.
We are each quiet and solitary by nature, not given to unnecessary chatter or idle conversation. Each of us is a confirmed loner who relishes solitude and silence. When we converse we do so in moderate to low tones. When we are backpacking toward an intended destination, we often walk for miles without ever speaking a word, each focused on our own thoughts and our collective goals. We never engage in loud conversation and useless chatter. Why would we wish to disrupt the musical sounds of nature?
And when a treasure cache is located, the thrill and excitement of discovery is soon replaced by practical matters such as planning relative to the recovery and the ultimate disposition of the find.
Fatigue, the pressure of finding water and food, going weeks without any contact with civilization, dealing with extended time away from family, remaining alert for dangers such as rattlesnakes, enduring cold, heat, aridity, being stalked, being chased, and getting shot at definitely wears on the mind. Thus, emotional and temperamental well-being is vital. Emotional reactions to challenges are as important as physical reactions. Emotional control and mental acuity come with experience, and with each challenge becomes greater confidence.
I approach each expedition with a Zen-like attitude. For me it is very simple: I set a goal, establish a plan, and then set out to accomplish my aim. My partners do the same. Experience has taught us that we can always expect the unexpected. We understand that goals might shift, plans might change, that some adventures for which we aimed might never occur, and others we did not anticipate might arise. Few plans survive contact with reality.
Focus and patience become valuable attributes. While the team concentrates on the goals, we become adept at allowing events to unfold and adapting to changing circumstances. We learn to be prepared for anything. Adaptability is a trait we acquired over the years and one that is implemented during every expedition. We have never gotten upset about events we cannot control. We quietly go about making whatever adjustments are necessary to help us in reaching our goal. While there have been many expeditions that were less than successful, we always come away feeling grateful for the exceptional experience and the lessons learned.
Cooperation is vital. A cooperative endeavor such as a major treasure hunting expedition depends largely on the ability of team members to depend on one another. Over the years, we have encountered life-threatening situations where our survival depended on our individual and collective ability to overcome them. During an expedition, we live together in remote and challenging physical and cultural environments for weeks at a time. We share food, water, and space. We share responsibility equally. When we locate a treasure cache, we share that equally.
We are each quiet and solitary by nature, not given to unnecessary chatter or idle conversation. Each of us is a confirmed loner who relishes solitude and silence. When we converse we do so in moderate to low tones. When we are backpacking toward an intended destination, we often walk for miles without ever speaking a word, each focused on our own thoughts and our collective goals. We never engage in loud conversation and useless chatter. Why would we wish to disrupt the musical sounds of nature?
And when a treasure cache is located, the thrill and excitement of discovery is soon replaced by practical matters such as planning relative to the recovery and the ultimate disposition of the find.
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