Personal Preparation – Where To Begin

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Executive Summary

• Why prepare?
• Where to begin?
• Action is liberating
• Do what is necessary, knowing it is insufficient
• Put on your own “oxygen mask” first
• Seek personal and community resilience
• Any measure of self-sufficiency is valuable
• Start with small steps
• Food, water, shelter, and warmth 

In a recent report entitled It’s Time to Prepare, I walked through the financial preparations that one might take to add greater resilience to one’s holdings and where they are located. 

But there is more to preparation that just financial savvy. I have been asked repeatedly to provide some guidance on personal preparation. In this report, I will begin the process of sharing my thoughts and experiences about this subject.

There are some basic things that would like to see every person considering for themselves and their family in order to minimize the impact of future disruptions. While I cannot be sure of when, or even if, these disruptions will happen, I am certain of two things:  you can prepare for these changes relatively cheaply, and you will feel better for having done so.

First, we must lay some groundwork and address the question, “Why prepare?” After that, we can delve into physical needs and how to address them.

My primary advice is always to trust yourself.  Every individual’s situation is unique, and I have no desire to tell anyone how they personally should proceed. I am not keen on establishing myself as someone who gives direct advice about what anyone should do in these challenging times. 

However, I am passionately interested in helping others adjust their lifestyles and expectations to minimize the most uncomfortable effects of the changes I predict. It is no fun being the bearer of unwelcome news about the economy, energy, and the environment. It makes me feel better to know that, perhaps, by sharing my knowledge and experience in this area, I might make the future somewhat easier for others.

I think it is absolutely key that we all take responsibility for our own actions, and that includes weighing our options and choosing what best fits our individual situations. Please keep this in mind as you read this report. There are many possible appropriate answers to the question, “What should I do?” and only you can decide what is right for you and your family.