Predator Not Prey

“Live like a predator, not like prey.” — Justin Marinelli, The Bucknellian, 2012

Back in 2016, I felt stuck in life. I had just gotten out of a relationship, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do after yet another unfinished attempt at completing a college degree. I felt like I had fallen into complacency. I started searching for some motivation or a mindset that I could adopt to get myself moving again. That’s when I stumbled upon an interesting blog post entitled “Being a Predator Is Better Than Living Like Prey.” In the post, the author shares that the best advice he’s ever received is: “Live like a predator, not like prey.”

The author then goes on to draw comparisons between the animal kingdom and life in college—more specifically, how natural predators survive and even thrive in the wild, and how, by adopting the same mindset and behaviors, you as a student can do the same in a college environment.

Not only does this mirror life in college, but it also mirrors life in general. Most people have dreams and goals. Dreams and goals fuel an individual’s sense of purpose. That being said, people usually choose one of two mindsets when navigating life, and they form behaviors that align with that mindset. The two mindsets I’m referring to are what I call the predator mindset and the prey mindset. Let’s take a look at both along with their accompanying behaviors.

The first mindset is that of someone with a predator mindset. Now, when I say predator, I’m not talking about an antisocial psychopath or anything of the sort. (Sit back down, Jeffrey Dahmer—I’m not talking about you.) I’m talking about the natural predators you find in the animal kingdom. Lions, sharks, and eagles are prime examples. (You thought I was going to say “Lions, tigers, and bears! Oh my!” didn’t you?)

There’s no getting around the fact that we, as humans, have a finite amount of time on this planet. If we want to fulfill our goals and wishes, we have to adopt a different mindset than the often more comfortable prey mindset. We need to become proactive instead of reactive.

Now imagine that you’re a predator in the wild—let’s say a panther. You have no choice but to be proactive. You have to take risks. Not taking risks means you may miss out on your next meal or miss mating opportunities. Add to that the fact that your next meal may be bigger, faster, or even smarter than you. This means that you, the predator, need to push yourself every single day to become a better version of yourself. You have to become stronger, faster, and smarter. It’s not a matter of vanity—it’s a matter of survival.

In the wild, some predators hunt in packs, such as wolves, while others hunt solo, like tigers. Humans, at their core, are social beings. A person with the predator mindset understands this but is more selective. They choose a smaller, tighter group of loyal friends with a similar mindset over a large group of mediocre friends with questionable loyalties. After all, you are the sum of those you surround yourself with—choose wisely. This small circle pushes each other to be better. Those with the predator mindset also aren’t afraid to go their own direction and forge their own path when the need arises, and the “pack” understands this.

What is the “prey” of someone with the predator mindset, you may ask? Their goals. Their opportunities. They don’t let opportunities pass them by; they hunt it.The predator knows that they are a predator—they don’t need external validation because they trust themselves.

What is something a predator doesn’t have? A victim mentality. A predator doesn’t waste time asking, “Why me?” They keep their emotions in check. This doesn’t mean someone with a predator mindset doesn’t have emotions; it means they’ve learned to control them—because if you don’t, your emotions will control you. Predators also learn from their mistakes. If they fail? They learn and move forward. They don’t blame others. If a predator doesn’t learn from its mistakes, it dies…

Speaking of victim mentality, let’s talk about the prey mindset. Someone with a prey mindset has developed a mentality they’ve grown accustomed to—the victim mentality. They constantly ask themselves, “Why me?” This is in direct contrast to someone with a predator mindset, who asks, “Why not me?” People with a prey mindset rarely take ownership of their mistakes; it’s always someone else’s fault. They are reactive, not proactive.

Remember how I mentioned earlier that individuals with a predator mindset keep their emotions in check? Those with the prey mindset let their emotions take the steering wheel.

They also tend to believe in the illusion that there is strength in numbers—much like herd animals in the wild. Unfortunately, that often means little to no loyalty among the herd and shallow relationships. (Really… it’s like they’re playing Pokémon: Friends Edition—gotta catch them all!) When pressure hits though, the herd scatters, and the prey gets left behind.

Sticking with the herd is the more comfortable option, but it also means never forging your own path. If you try to break away, the herd will attempt to drag you back into mediocrity. Remember, just like with the predator mindset, you are the sum of those you surround yourself with.

So now you have a choice to make.

Do you want to start living your best life by being proactive—going after your goals and dreams and becoming a better version of yourself every day? Or do you want to remain reactive, comfortable in mediocrity, while life passes you by?

Decide what you want in life and pursue it every day like the predator you are. Maybe that goal is a relationship—ask your crush out. What’s the worst they can do, say no? If that happens, move on. There is someone else out there for you.

Once you start living like a predator, your life will begin to fall into alignment—not because of luck, but because you’re creating opportunities instead of merely reacting to what life throws at you.

Remember you have a choice:  Predator or Prey.  I, for one, choose to: “Live like a predator, not like prey.”