The Vikings were not the sort of people who sailed only in perfect weather.
They set out in their wooden longships that creaked like old doors, armed with little more than faith in their gods, an axe or two, and the belief that fortune favored the bold.
They did not have GPS, life jackets, flare guns, or any insurance forms tucked away. Yet they managed to make their way from their icy homeland to the far edges of the old world
Although Vikings have been depicted as ferocious raiders, for many, the Viking spirit transcends ambitious conquests and brute force; it was also about meeting uncertainty with action, turning the unknown into opportunity, and trusting that the gods would guide them through the storms.
Amid today’s constantly shifting political and societal landscape, the Viking mindset feels surprisingly relevant. Whether the storm comes as economic hardship, a family catastrophe, or a world that seems to change faster than we can keep up with, the principles that guided those old seafarers across uncharted waters can still help us navigate our own course in today’s uncertain times.
1. Courage Is a Habit, Not a Moment
The Vikings didn’t wait for courage to appear out of nowhere; they built it through repetition and resolve. Every voyage into unfamiliar shores was a deliberate act of will. They felt fear, but they moved anyway.
Over time, courage became less about the absence of fear and more about the habit of facing it. Each challenge was another oncoming wave, and each wave made them stronger for the next.
In the modern world, courage takes different forms. It might mean stepping into a new career, standing up for what is right, or making a change you’ve avoided for too long. However, the principle remains the same—the more you confront challenges, the less power they hold over you. Courage, much like a strengthened muscle through repetitive use, will carry you through.
2. Prepare Well, Then Trust the Wind
Viking longships did not reach far-off lands by chance. Every voyage began with careful preparation: patching sails, checking supplies, studying the stars, and reading the clouds for signs of danger. They knew that once they left shore, the sea would test every knot, oar, and decision they made.
Preparation may have been their safeguard, yet faith was what carried them through. The Vikings understood that both discipline and trust are needed to reach any distant shore alive.
Life follows the same pattern. You can plan, study, and work hard, but there comes a moment when you have to release control and move with what comes. Whether it is a new career or a family challenge, your effort sets the course, while your faith fills the sails until you reach shore.
3. Respect Your Crew
In every voyage, one wrong move could doom the entire crew. I learned that lesson firsthand in the military, where teamwork wasn’t just a cute slogan but a lifeline. Every person had a role to play, and everyone’s effort counted, no matter how small. When everyone pulls their weight, the ship stays afloat; when they don’t, the sea always reminds them who is in charge.
You don’t need to wear a uniform to live by that truth. The same spirit applies anywhere people work side by side, whether on a film set, in a small business, or among volunteers cleaning up a park.
When individuals trust each other’s abilities and show up with purpose, something greater takes shape. Cooperation becomes its own kind of strength and carries people through challenges that no one could face alone.
4. Keep Your Fire Burning When Cold Sets In
The Vikings knew what it meant to face the long dark. When the sun disappeared for months in the winter, with icy winds sweeping across the fjords and supplies dwindling by the day, the only warmth came from the fires they built and the sheer willpower that kept them alive.
In our own lives, when a major setback or a tragic loss envelops us like the cold winter, keep the fire going. Feed it with faith, reflection, company, routine, and small steps to take you forward. If you tend the fire with care, even a tiny spark can outlast a long night.
5. Earn Your Place at the Table
For the Vikings of yore, honor was the true measure of worth. Respect was not granted through title or bloodline, but through loyalty, courage, and relentless effort. They believed that what you did each day, not where you came from, defined who you were.
That idea still holds strong today. Whether you are leading a team or raising a family, respect is never owed; it is slowly built through what you contribute to those around you. In the end, the table belongs to those who earn their seat through character and effort, not privilege.
6. Leave Something Worth Remembering
The Vikings knew that their lives could end at any moment. Every voyage carried the risk of shipwrecks and miscalculated battles. That uncertainty gave their lives a sense of urgency, and they desired to be remembered for something greater than survival.
Some built durable ships that carried their descendants across new horizons, while others inspired stories that would be told long after their names had faded.
For us in a modern world, legacy may come in the form of mentoring someone who follows in your footsteps, creating something that improves the lives of others, or simply being remembered as a person who stood for honesty and courage when the chips were down.
What we build, teach, and give to others will become our lasting mark. Every day offers a chance to shape that story and to add one more piece to the footprint that we leave behind.
This is also where the real mindset & spirit of “Biafra” came from ….
This mindset belonged to the old eastern Nigeria ….. not just the Igbo speaking sides of geographical Biafra
This mindset lived in all of us. We need to resuscitate and wake it up again
