Wherever you are, be THERE!

First Things First – Living Fully Where You Are, With the Everyday Bushcraft Skills

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” – Stephen Covey

There’s an old saying that has stuck with me over the years: “Wherever you are, be there.” It’s simple, but profound. It speaks to presence, purpose, and priority — three traits that Stephen Covey brought to life in his principle of First Things First.

Covey’s idea is that we must learn to prioritise what matters most, not what screams the loudest. Urgency doesn’t always equal importance. In a noisy, fast-paced world, this principle asks us to stop, breathe, and intentionally choose how to spend our time and energy — especially when things are chaotic.

Nowhere is this more relevant than in the bush, where distractions give way to real needs, and the consequences of inaction or poor judgment are immediate and unforgiving. That’s why First Things First fits so naturally into the world of Everyday Bushcraft.

What Does “First Things First” Mean in Bushcraft?

In bushcraft, it’s not enough to know a hundred different knots or fire techniques. You need to know what to do first. You need to be able to assess your environment, understand your priorities, and take the right action at the right time — with calm focus.

Let’s explore how Covey’s principle relates to the Five Core Skills of Everyday Bushcraft:

Self-Aid, Knots, Shelter, Fire, and Water.

1. Self-Aid – Secure Yourself Before Anything Else

In an emergency, the first thing a soldier, bushwalker, or first responder is taught is to check themselves. Are you bleeding? Are you breathing properly? Are you thinking clearly?

In life, we often rush to solve other people’s problems or put out fires around us without checking if we’re okay. Covey would ask: What is the most important thing you can do right now that brings the most value long-term?

In the bush, that starts with self-aid. If you’re injured or exhausted, you must treat yourself before moving on — because you can’t help others if you’re falling apart.

⮞ Lesson: Take care of your physical and mental well-being first. Always.

2. Knots – Tying Things Together with Intention

Knots aren’t just about function — they’re about connection and purpose. Each knot has a job. Some are quick-release, others are designed to hold under pressure.

But you don’t just start tying knots at random. You choose the right one for the job after you’ve decided what the job is.

This mirrors life. Don’t tie yourself to things — people, habits, or goals — that don’t align with what’s truly important. Covey’s principle demands clarity: What are you tying yourself to? Is it urgent or important?

⮞ Lesson: Be intentional with your commitments. Tie only what needs tying.

3. Shelter – Protect Yourself from What Matters Most

When the rain starts falling or the wind picks up, shelter becomes the priority. Before food, before sleep, you need cover.

Too often in everyday life, we chase productivity or popularity without building a place of emotional or social shelter — safety, trust, community.

Covey reminds us: security, connection, and protection are not “extra” — they are essential.

⮞ Lesson: Build your shelter before the storm hits. First things first.

4. Fire – Spark the Essential, Not the Urgent

Fire gives warmth, cooks food, and provides light. But it also requires discipline. Build it too late, and the cold sets in. Build it too fast, and it burns out.

In Covey’s time management matrix, fire belongs in the quadrant of “Important but Not Urgent.” You might not need it yet, but you will — so it’s worth preparing.

Don’t confuse the spark of passion with a wildfire of busyness. Build your inner fire carefully.

⮞ Lesson: Fuel what sustains you — not what distracts you.

5. Water – Find It, Filter It, First

You can survive weeks without food — but only a few days without water. That’s why water is a true first priority in bushcraft. But it’s not just about finding water — it’s about purifying it so it’s safe to consume.

This relates directly to Covey’s insight: we need to choose wisely what we take in — our influences, our relationships, our commitments.

Don’t just drink in whatever the world offers. Pause. Filter. Choose clarity over clutter.

⮞ Lesson: Prioritise clarity and nourishment — in thought, action, and relationship.

Final Thoughts: Being Here, Doing What Matters

Bushcraft teaches us how to survive — and thrive — by slowing down and assessing our true needs. Stephen Covey’s First Things First is more than a time-management tool; it’s a way of life. It’s about being fully present, fully committed, and fully aligned with your values.

So next time you’re overwhelmed — at work, at home, or in the wilderness — stop and ask:

• “What matters most, right now?”

• Then act. Decisively. Intentionally. Like your life depends on it.

• Because in the bush — and in life — it often does.

Reflection Questions for Everyday Use:

1. What am I doing today that aligns with what matters most?

2. Am I responding to urgency, or choosing importance?

3. What “shelter” have I built for myself and those I care about?

4. Is the fire I’m building sustainable or just a quick spark?

5. What am I consuming mentally and emotionally — and is it pure?

Let the bush teach you, and let Covey guide you. Put first things first — and be where your feet are. That’s the Everyday Way.