Scott Brills: Lessons from an Adventure Capitalist

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Scott Brills is a world traveler, international entrepreneur, and founder of Pajoma Safaris. He has spent the past half of his life traveling around the world going on innumerable adventures as a location independent entrepreneur.

Favorite Success Quote

“Live as though you are going to die tomorrow and learn as if you are going to live forever”~Mahatma Gandhi

Key Points

1. Learning to Adapt is One of the Best Skills You Can Acquire

During his travels, Scott realized that learning to be adaptable is one of the greatest skills anyone can acquire. Like Darwin said “It is not the strongest, or the smartest, but the most adaptable that survive.”

If you want to survive the world of business, romance, health or anything else for that matter, learning to adapt is the best skill to cultivate. Learn to think on your feet and be willing to change your actions when your plan doesn’t work as expected.

2. Wealth is Not Always Determined by Monetary Possessions

Something that Scott noticed as he traveled was that, with the exception of extreme poverty and refugee situations, is that material possession does not equal happiness and inner wealth.

Many of the people he met in his travels living simple, minimalistic lives were just as happy and content, if not more so, than the average 1st world millionaire.

This is not to say that money and material possession is bad or that it does not contribute to happiness, but rather to say that it is but a small part of the whole when it comes to living a happy fulfilled life.

Great relationships and experiences will always improve your fulfillment more than a new rolex or an extra 0 at the end of your paycheck.

3. As Humans We Are All Generally The Same

With the exception of some moderate social and cultural differences. People are all the same. We all want better relationships, we more happiness, we want to feel like we are making a difference. We aren’t as different as we first appear, and once you understand this you are able to interact with people from any culture or lifestyle with ease.

4. Don’t Think Linearly

Often, people assume that life is a linear journey. We are born, go to school, go to college, get a job, retire, and then we die. What people don’t realize is that life isn’t linear. If you want to live a successful and fulfilling life, it will require that you think outiside the box and do things in an unconventional way.

Starting a business in college, getting your degree after taking 5 years to travel, deferring the 9-5 life until you pursue your dreams and your bucket list.

Live life in the way that will leave you the most fulfilled and happy at the end of the day. Not the way people tell you you have to.