He would always say that what really matters in life is to ‘Follow your dreams and to look after your friends and family along the way.’ That was life in a nutshell for him, and I so hope to pass that on to my boys as they grow up.

<b>11. There Is No Education Like Adversity

In 1941, as Britain was in the darkest days of World War Two, Churchill told a generation of young people that ‘these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived.’</b>

But why was Churchill telling them that those bleak, uncertain, life-threatening and freedom-challenging days were also the best days of their lives?

He knew that it’s when times are tough, when the conditions are at their worst, that we learn what we are truly capable of.

There are few greater feelings than finding out you can achieve more, and endure more, than you had previously imagined, and it’s only when we are tested that we realize just how brightly we can shine.

It’s a cliché, but it’s true: <b>diamonds are formed under pressure. And without the pressure, they simply remain lumps of coal.</b>

The greatest trick in life is to learn to see adversity as your friend, your teacher and your guide.

<b>Storms come to make us stronger.</b>

No one ever achieves their dream without first stumbling over a few obstacles along the way. Experience teaches you to understand that those obstacles are actually a really good indication that you are on the right road.

Trust me: if you find a road without any obstacles, I can promise you it doesn’t lead anywhere worthwhile.

So, embrace the adversity, embrace the obstacles, and get ready for success.

Today is the start of the greatest days of your life…

<b>19. Don’t Assume</b>

It’s good training for the rest of your life, too. If something is important, always check - never assume. <b>You might look a little foolish if you always ask the basic questions, but better a fool than an ass!</b>

It’s usually ego that stops us from asking the ‘silly’ questions, but I know a lot of ‘smart’ people on expeditions who have tripped over their egos and fallen flat on their faces.

When it comes to navigating on an expedition, this ability to be clear and un-‘assuming’ is especially important.

All of us have, at times, when navigating from A to B, had a few moments of doubt. ‘Are we here or here?’ we ask. The stubborn press on, ‘hoping’, ‘assuming’ all will be clearer in a mile or two. It rarely works like that.

Too many times, if you don’t act fast, a small error in judgement can become a big error with desperate consequences - and that applies to navigating through life as well as through mountains.

A good rule with navigating is that if there is doubt, then stop, reassess, ask others for help if you need to. Trust me, a stitch in time saves nine.

We would all prefer to be asked than for the leader to get us lost.

Besides, I have also learnt that people generally like to help and love to be asked for their advice. <b>So put your ego aside and let people help you.</b> Anyone who succeeds is really standing on many other people’s shoulders - the shoulders of those who have helped them along the way.

<b>Assume nothing, be humble, and don’t be afraid to ask for that little bit of help when you need it.</b>