Guy Kawasaki has posted an appropriate interview with Jerry White, the co-founder of Survivor Corp  on his blog.

Here is an excerpt:

Jerry White is the co-founder of Survivor Corps (formerly Landmine Survivors Newwork). His changed in 1984 when he lost his leg in a landmine explosion while visiting Israel. After this experience he has championed the cause of survivorship and became a leader in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. In 1997 he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Jody Williams for his efforts. He recently published a book called I Will Not Be Broken: Five Steps to Overcoming a Life Crisis.

1. Question: What do people who are undergoing a life crisis need most?Answer: We crave empathy and support. We need to know that someone out there—anyone!—who understands what we are going through. Yes, there are emergency “things” we need like safety, food, shelter, direct assistance; but ultimately we are social beings in search of social connection and meaning.
2. Question: What do they need most from their government?Answer: Governments add most value during emergency situations when they address macro issues such as rule of law, security, resource mobilization, strategic communications, respect for human rights without discrimination and coordination of services. Unfortunately, recent examples of Hurricane Katrina and the current mortgage crises suggest that government too often fails us, and is slow to react to mass destruction. It takes a village to survive emergencies, with help from the private sector, social sector and public sector. No single government agency or sector can do it all. We need our neighbors and civil society to come through for us. It is always a mistake to wait passively for bureaucracies and government agencies to “save” us.
3. Question: What are the key stages of overcoming a crisis?Answer: In the face of crisis and catastrophe, we are afraid. Our first temptation is to fight the facts or flee from the facts. But to overcome, we must get our mind around the truth of our lives and circumstances. Here are five steps that survivors worldwide have used to overcome a life crisis:
   1. Face facts. This awful thing has happened. I can’t roll back the clock. This sucks.
   2. Choose life, not death. I want to find hope; create options for a positive future.
   3. Reach out. No one survives alone. Isolation will kill us. Let others into our lives.
   4. Get moving. You have to get up and out of the house. Do your “survivor sit-ups.”
   5. Give back. Become a benefactor not just a beneficiary. Yes, you will add value.

Read the full interview

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Tags: art of survival, art of survival entrepreneurs guide