Read list
We tend to overestimate our capabilities until proven otherwise. In most cases, we always think that we're smarter than the rest, and probably there's not much for us to learn or experience.
Observing this pattern, I do notice that this tends to occur more often to people who participate in a little amount of activity and little amount of thinking. The less you do, the more highly you think of yourself. The less you see the world and the people, the wider you think yours are.
Truth is, you're not always the smartest person in the room.
"There's always, and always will be a bigger fish in the sea"
The catch here is, we're not trying to be the biggest. The goal here is to always learn and be better. Mentioned before, the less you do,... But how do you do more and experience more with such limited time? One of the best ways is to read. Read from those who have been there done that. A good equivalent of that is to listen to what others have to tell or teach. Seek.
Seek knowledge from a knowledgeable other, sometimes a lifetime of experience and lesson is condensed into a book, sometimes into a blog, sometimes shared on websites, videos, and seminars.
I'd bet that most of us now have our own Watch list on Netflix. There's nothing wrong with that though, it'd be better if we all have our "to read" or "to learn" list too. For the majority, we spend a lot of time on social media, and I am a firm believer that you are what you feed yourself. And that includes what you feed your mind. So if you'd want to better improve yourself, start following more people that share knowledge, information on social medias. There's a tonne of these people hanging around waiting to be discovered, you just need to search.
"You are a total of the 5 people you spend time with"
Add a bit to it, "You are a total of the 5 things you feed yourself daily".
The importance of joining, going out, and doing things, venturing the world is crucial. No doubt. But with spare time at hand, feed your mind with things to learn.
The mind needs to be fed too. It needs nutrients, energy, and things to do, to think, to ponder.
I'm not going to go deep into the benefits of reading or learning, you can find that elsewhere.
Read more. The more you read, the more you think. The more you think, the better you are at it. Solving problems, thinking, managing, organizing, being quick on your feet, ingenuity, all comes second to nature the more you feed your brain.
Read. Expand your mind, widen your horizon, deepen your understanding. Have depths in wide fields of knowledge, stimulate the brain to think. Ask questions, ask, ask, ask. Why? Who? How? What? Ask. Think. So many people think of great things without doing but more do without thinking. One of the best God-given gifts, think.
My favorite reading spots:
ISG Blog - Everything related to prepping, survival, and mindset. Love how the writers never fail to connect with the real world - a lot of blogs are missing this aspect
Modern Adversary - A lot on mindset and unconventional (sometimes conventional) wisdom
Art of Manliness - Manliness stuff, articles, podcasts, and videos. Always a good learning place for gentlemen alike
Spycraft 101 - Tales of espionage from the cold war and beyond, tips, and sometimes tradecraft on urban survival skills extracted from intelligence agents.
Survival Sullivan - One of the few no-bullshit survival sites
Total Urban Survival - All-rounder on martial art and urban tradecraft
Thousands of hours on other stuff:
Life is a Special Operation - SF life advice and tips
Survival Dispatch - The name says it
Tom McElroy - Surviving in different locations with minimal gear. Student of Tom Brown Jr.
Maul Mornie - Silat guru who travels 48 weeks a year teaching Silat. One of the best when it comes to explaining concepts and principles in Silat. Truly a gem.
Ryan Humiston - Some says he's a fraud because of his unconventional methods, I say they just dont like people running away from them cause this guy knows his shit well.
Warrior Poet Society - Ex-army ranger on everything from parenting, survival, shooting and even dad jokes
Corporals Corner - Ex-USMC going on solo camping trips. On the way he teaches camp tips, hacks and knowledge.
NW Primate - Just love seeing this guy's fire-making skills and the nature ASMR videos. Calming.
Ajar - Knowledge outside the textbook
Sulalatus Salatin - History on Malay kingdom. The kings, the kingdom, the warriors, the lifestyle.
I guess that sums it all folks. My other reading sources comes from accounts on Instagram and Twitter sharing stuffs and knowledge daily.
Reading doesnt have to be boring, doesnt mean you have to read from a book. Any source, any where. The key is that you read, you learn and you think. Bonus point if it's enjoyable because you'll come back for more.
p/s I'd suggest you add this blog to your bookmark tab too. Updates are made regularly - no fixed schedule though.