As Americans, we spend billions of dollars on wellness approaches that promise to change our bodies, restore our health, and deliver eternal youth. From celery juice to cross-fit, it seems we are willing to buy into just about anything that is might make us feel stronger or live longer. So, what if I told you there was something you could do right now in the comfort of your own home that could deliver newfound capabilities, unique agility, and improved resilience for you and your entire family, would you want in?
Of course, you would...don't lie.
Well, personal preparedness does all that and then some. If you really think about it, developing your individual readiness and resilience is the most fundamental form of self-care possible. It speaks to our most basic human desire for self-preservation, which (under a heavy coating of vanity and materialism) is what drives all of our other efforts to get and stay strong and healthy.
The good news is, that means this is in your genes! You were made for this. No prior experience necessary. In fact, your existence today is proof that your early ancestors figured this out and you will too!
Need More Convincing?
If self-preservation isn't enough of an incentive for you, research shows that having a plan for emergencies reduces our stress response during an actual event, and improves our decision-making ability under pressure. These benefits arise out of the feeling of perceived safety that we generate by talking about emergencies before they happen. In essence, by planning for emergencies we reduce the uncertainty that can trigger paralyzing fear during an emergency response. When we are equipped to move through the initial fear and respond quickly, we improve our chances of survival and position ourselves to also minimize negative impacts.
Added Benefits
The value of readiness and resilience extends far beyond natural disasters or your typical home emergencies. Developing this muscle will help you think like a crisis manager in any challenging situation. Imagine being able to confront your next "ME-mergency" with the newfound ability to:
Identify and assess risk;
Devise creative solutions;
Manage resources efficiently;
Communicate quickly and effectively;
Collaborate and delegate; and
Keep your cool under pressure.
Getting Started
For many of us, starting to talk about personal preparedness might feel a lot like starting a new fitness journey...we know it's good for us, but it's still sometimes hard to get ourselves moving. In general though, if the stakes are high enough--like if a doctor tells us we need to exercise for our heart health, or we worry about our longevity for the sake of our families--we are able to find the motivation. In this case, the stakes could not be higher. We are talking about ensuring your safety, wellbeing, and ability to persevere on the most fundamental level.
Like any new wellness endeavor, it's probably going to feel hard at first....might even be a bit scary. Don't worry, as we identify our weaknesses and develop our skills, we will become more capable, confident, and conditioned to handle the next challenge.
You can think of me as your Personal (Preparedness) Trainer.
I am here to help you and your family develop the capability, confidence, and coordination to meet any emergency or disaster with readiness and resilience.
Every great journey's gotta start somewhere, so grab your roadmap, and let's go. Understanding where you are starting is critical to mapping the course ahead. Check out my free Ready or Not? Resilience Assessment here to get clear about where you and your family are today.
Stayed tuned for Readiness 101: Five Steps to Success.