Survivor Life Lessons

Do you watch Survivor?

Or I should ask, when was the last time you watched Survivor?

Pretty sure I’ve never met someone who hasn’t at least seen one or two episodes of the wildly successful show.

My 14yo son and I started watching old seasons last summer. It’s become our summer tradition to watch a few seasons together and we love it. 

I’m clearly late to the party, here. I know.

But I’m also surprised with how many people I talk to who have only seen one or two seasons or don’t even know Survivor is still on the air.

It is very much still on the air. Last season (which was season 46 and maybe one of the best we’ve seen) ended only a month or so ago. Netflix seems to always have two seasons available and Paramount Plus has all of the seasons you can watch on demand.

Just in case you want to check it out.

So… why am I sharing all of this about a reality show on television?

Because Survivor has so many lessons that apply to business and social media and LIFE!

And because I am so fired up about it (and fire represents your life in the game of Survivor–ha!), I wanted to share a few parallels that may help you this summer in your business and social media.

You’re never out until your fire is snuffed out by Jeff Probst, himself.

I cannot tell you how many times we have seen this scenario: Someone is at the “bottom” of the social hierarchy and they are SURE they will be voted out at the next tribal council. Then either by their own scrappiness or someone else making a silly decision, they stay in the game. 

They live to play another day.

People may tell this particular someone that they are next to be voted out. All hope is gone. The end is nigh…

And it was a wrong prediction. Another player does NOT extinguish your fire. Only Jeff Probst does that when your game is over.

Do not give up.

Don’t believe others. Especially your competitors. Especially people who want to beat you. Keep playing. You may be the ultimate winner if you stay in and stick around.

Early success is not the ideal

Slow and steady. Just like the tortoise.

The players who seem like the “darlings” or clear winners at the beginning rarely make it to the end. I don’t know if we’ve ever guessed the correct winner or final three during the first episode.

Small connections, wins, and plays over time lead to the biggest results.

Big plays early tend to crash and burn.

The loud, overly-confident early-in-the-game-winners tend to be “blindsided” and voted out way before anyone expected. Too hot too soon without creating strong roots nor proving their character.

The same happens in the business world. New companies and brands want to make a BIG SPLASH at the beginning of their business without testing, connecting, and proving their merit.

It’s NOT about the launch. It’s about the customer. The service. The proven track record and relationships that build over time.

Slow and steady turns a product into a known and trusted brand. Consistency wins.

Be prepared.

If you make it to the show, you should know some basics. Like how to make fire. How hidden immunity idols work. What blindsiding is.

Anyone can apply to be on Survivor but only a handful are chosen to compete each season.

So be prepared.

Learn the rules of the game. Watch some previous seasons. Practice puzzles and do some balancing exercises before you leave for the competition.

It’s amazing how many people get kicked out of the game early or lose the big opportunities because they weren’t prepared. “I didn’t know” is not an excuse when there are so many episodes, podcasts, books, and YouTube videos at your disposal.

You see this on social media all of the time. People getting a viral video (opportunity) and not knowing what to do afterwards. Accounts that start without a plan. Businesses throw any old content up because they “didn’t know” what else to do.

There are books, YouTube videos, programs (mine included) available for you. There is no excuse to NOT be prepared. Even a little helps a lot.

This is your chance to be on the big screen (and yes, smartphones are big screens)—to be in front of millions of eyeballs and make big moves. Be seen and win, just like on Survivor.

The Tribe has Spoken…

Honestly I could go on and on, but this post is already one of my longest so far. 

Let me finish this Survivor life and business lessons with this thought: underdogs win all of the time. And they win BIG. 

Don’t give up on yourself or your ideas. Keep showing up, making small steps, and learning how to improve.

It’s not that complicated. But it does make for an exciting adventure.

If you’ve read this whole thing, come over to Instagram and find my Survivor post. Tell me if you watch and what your favorite season is. I love finding others who watch, too!

Until next week,

AnnaM

PS: Would you ever want to be ON the show? I change my mind about this every few weeks.