How I Use Geopolitics in Everyday Life

Stop Reading Self-Help and Business Books and Study World Leaders

Imagine walking along the sacred banks of the Ganges, the air dense with the hum of ferries and street vendors, only to drift into a restricted ferry ghat—a dock where one wrong move could cause trouble. That’s exactly where I ended up, heart pounding, no ticket in hand, and a uniformed official nearby. But by thinking like a world leader—staying calm, watching patterns, using the system—I got out clean.

Geopolitical thinking isn’t just for diplomats. It’s a sharp lens for handling real life. That moment at the ferry ghat showed me how these strategies work anywhere, anytime. This post isn’t about another self-help tip. It’s about why we should study leaders, not life coaches.

I Got Stuck at a Ferry Ghat Without a Ticket

On a warm afternoon, I was walking along the Ganges in India, drawn to the noise and motion of a ferry ghat—one of those busy boat docks where people cross the river all day. I wasn’t planning to ride, just curious to observe. But the place was a maze. No clear signs, platforms blending together, and I accidentally crossed into a restricted area.

I leaned against a railing. A man nearby looked me over. “Jabe naki?” he asked—“Are you going?” I assumed he was staff and casually replied, “Na na” (No, no). I stayed put, thinking I was fine. Then I spotted a real ticket checker moving down the line, collecting fares. A faded “Restricted Area” sign hung nearby. My stomach dropped.

At first, I wanted to explain the mistake. But something told me that would go badly. I paused. Watched. Noticed the checker had a rhythm—he came, did his round, then left before the next ferry. I saw a schedule board: 20-minute intervals. So I waited, stayed still. Eventually, he walked off. I slipped away. No confrontation. No trouble.

No book could have taught me that. Just a mindset.

Applying Geopolitical Principles to Get Out of Troubles

How did I get out of that ferry ghat without a scene? I wasn’t lucky. I was strategic.

Let’s break it down.

Observation and Pattern Recognition
I clocked the checker’s routine and planned my move. That’s how world leaders work, too. China’s Belt and Road Initiative didn’t roll out randomly—they studied trade flows and economic patterns before investing. Same goes for your daily life. Say you’re at a crowded conference. Don’t just walk into a conversation. Watch who’s connecting with whom, then choose your moment.

Strategic Restraint
I didn’t plead my case. I waited. That’s restraint. And it’s a key move in diplomacy—think about how negotiators in climate talks bide their time before revealing positions. You don’t always need to act fast. Sometimes staying quiet is the most effective thing you can do. Like in a roommate argument—don’t fire back immediately. Let it settle. Then respond.

Using Structural Knowledge
That “Restricted Area” sign? It gave me cover. If I had been stopped, I had a defense. Leaders do this constantly, citing international law or trade agreements to justify actions. Same thing works locally—know your workplace or school rules. They’re tools. Use them.

These tactics aren’t theoretical. They’re usable. And they’re more useful than any “10 steps to confidence” list.

Why Self-Help and Business Books Are Useless

So why not just read self-help or business books?

Because they fall apart when real life hits.

Self-help is built around fixed formulas—checklists, habits, five-point plans. They work for routine stuff, but they fail the moment variables show up. Like getting caught in a restricted area with no exit plan. Or facing a workplace betrayal. Or trying to lead a team through chaos.

Business books aren’t much better. Too many reduce complex realities into clean, oversimplified frameworks. They’re tidy on paper. But they rarely hold up under actual pressure.

That’s why I study world leaders. They operate with high stakes and no scripts. Mandela didn’t end apartheid with a checklist. Merkel didn’t steer the EU through financial crisis by reading The 7 Habits. They navigated unique, complex, messy problems—and won. Because they knew how to think from first principles, not follow steps.

Self-help teaches compliance. Geopolitics teaches clarity. Big difference.

Conclusion

That ferry ghat moment wasn’t just a personal save. It showed how geopolitical thinking plays out in daily life.

I read the pattern. I stayed quiet. I used the rules. And it worked.

You don’t need another business tactic or life mantra. You need a better mindset. World leaders have already lived through the hardest decisions imaginable. Their stories—Kennedy during the missile crisis, Merkel during the Euro crash, Xi managing long-term economic strategy—are better than any bullet-point list.

The next time you’re in a tight spot—at work, at home, anywhere—skip the self-help aisle.

Study real strategy instead. Then think your way through.